I had my first observation of Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) over Melb last night (17/10/11) with my manual 12" dob. The only assistance was Stellarium on the laptop and S & T Pocket Atlas.
Around 10 pm, using Fomalhaut as a guide and star hopping to the north east, I was not seeing it no matter how hard a tried. At around mag 7, I knew it would be difficult over Melb skies. Kept persisting and then added my Astronomik 2" OIII to my 27mm TV Pan which was giving me X55 and bang there it was, dead centre in the eyepiece. Didn't get the marvelous colours or the details seen in all the photos, but there was a distinct grey circle, hinting at a central shape, filling about half the view. Tried with the 10mm Ethos at X150, but view was not as good.
I was wrapped to find and see it for myself. Looking at one of the closest neb to us, some 700 light years away. It was thrilling.
Clear skies
Rod
