[ngcles]

Hi Smirnoff & All,


Re IC 418 (Spirograph Nebula), I hadn't heard it responds well to H-Beta so I must give this a go. Im not certain, but still pretty sure the red in the rim is visible to an extent in 12". I don't have a 12" observation to back that -- just going on memory but I also seem to remember that the red rim is more evident at low-medium powers (approx x100) than high.

More/Other observations are encouraged!

My 25cm observation for IC 418 is a 1996 note that is a bit disappointing on detail:

"x181 17' TF. Mag 9.3 Size 12". Quite small but a lovely object, quite exquisite. Very hard edges, brightens smoothly to the centre where there is embedded a mag 11.5 central *."

But I seem to remember the effect of it "disappearing" too. From memory (unfiltered), if you stare at the central star (ie direct vision), the disc disappears. NGC 3132 on the Vela/Antlia border in an 8" does a similar trick.

My 2006 46cm observation is a bit more detailed and on a very good night at Bargo when the seeing was somewhat better than average:

x85, x185, x317, x371 x634 (Unfiltered, UHC & OIII)


IC 418 Planetary Nebula *
RA: 05h 27m 28.2s Dec: -12° 41' 49"
Mag: 10.7 (P) Size: 12.0" Class: 4
Mag C. Star: 10.1 R.V.: ---

This is an easy find about 5 degrees SE of Rigel. At lower magnifications, this PNe shows something visually that is near unique in the sky -- unfiltered, the edges of the halo are a dull crimson red, while the inner halo is bright blue. Overall it is very small, about 15" diameter but at higher magnifications (x371 & above) seen to be very slightly off-round in PA 30. The disc is bright blue with a very bright rim and a very bright bluish central star. There seems to be a slight dimming just outside and around the central star. Overall has very high surface brightness. Best at x 317 and x371.

The "spirograph" type detail didn't show up though!

Re NGC 2022, this is a quite nice PNe and my own impressions are similar to yours. In 1996 with 25cm under a suburban sky this is the note:

"x181 17' TF x276 11' TF. Mag 11.9 Size 25". Sparse field. Small, 25" diameter, slightly elong in PA??, grey annulus in form with a central hole which is not quite dark and seems about 10" diameter. Looks like a donught.

And with 46cm in 2006:

x185, x317, x371, (Unfiltered, UHC & OIII)


NGC 2022 Planetary Nebula *
RA: 05h 42m 06.2s Dec: +09° 05' 13"
Mag: 12.4 (P) Size: 35.0" Class: 4+2
Mag C. Star: 15.8 R.V.: ---

At x185 this PNe seems round but is shown to be oval at x317 and x371, about 30" x 25" in PA 0. It has a well defined rim that is slightly brighter than the balance of the halo and it dims slowly to centre making it seem weakly annular. There is some ill-defined faint fuzz outside this rim that adds little to the overall size. Responds strongly to OIII. Weakly bluish unfiltered. No central star visible though at mag 15.8 it does not seem out of the question, but it wasn't there to be seen.

So there you go.

Another good report mate and thanks for letting us all know you impressions of these nice PNe.

Smirnoff wrote:

"Tonight is supposed to be clear... "


Of course, its Full Moon -- isn't that always the way!


Best

Les D