Also known as Caldwell 59. (Viewed on 13th March, 2018)
This is a very colourful, planetary nebula that contrasts strongly with the surrounding inky, black sky. It reminded me of the colours of the Great Barrier Reef, as it was like the aqua blue of a lagoon within the reef.
With my Vixen 115mm EDS (60x), it appeared circular and IMO is the second brightest planetary, as judged by viewing comfort, only bettered by the Dumbbell nebular.
I read later, that it has a central star which is visible to a 4" scope, but I failed to notice it. I also failed to notice this when I had previously viewed it over many years with a 12" Dob. Something I will try to view on another evening.
In Steven O'Meara book,
The Caldwell Objects, he mentions that the central star is more easily seen by people that have had cataract lens replacements because they more easily see UV light.
In the first attached website, there is a photo of NGC 3132 that has previously appeared in the ISS Deep Sky images.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s....php?p=1095866
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NGC_3242