December Challenge Object (Nb) - M78

[iceman (Mike)]

Read all about this object at the December Observing Challenge page.

Post your observation reports and sketches here.

DSO images go in the DSO imaging forum.

[dhumpie]

Another easy catch for small scope users. I have seen this fan of nebulosity in binoculars (10x50's but better in my 15x70's) and even in my 40mm Cometron scope. This object does not respond well to UHC type filters but from memory, my Orion SkyGlow broadband filter coupled with my ex 76mm f/9 newt did do a good job on it. In larger scopes, it resembles the head of a comet with a slight fan shaped tail. The sketch below was done using David (westsky's) 10" GS dob from Leyburn although I have seen similar views in my C6 from dark sky sites.

http://www.geocities.com/dhumpie/dastro/m78.jpg

Darren

Nice sketch Darren, I haven't visited this one lately.

regards,CS

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

I am surpised I have not seen this one yet.
all accounts are it is quite easy to pick up !
I have tried a few times, must have been a night of poor seeing

[astroron (Ron)]

Could some one take a good deep shot of this area with a scope to see if McNiels nebula is still visible. Pleeeeaaaasssseeee

[ving (David)]

I first saw this one with my 60mm ebay refractor
I viewed it last night along with a few MOC objects. it showed as 2 stars imbedded in nebula and is really quite easy to find. due to bad seeing (3/10) and half a moon it didnt show as well as it has in the past tho. averted imagination worked well extending the nebulosity somewhat.

now orions an easy early night target I plan on spending more time there as theres a whole bunch of tight to semi-tight doubles there too

[dhumpie]

Yup it is a nice and easy catch alright for small scopes Neb filters don't do much for it as it is a reflection type nebula although my ex Orion SkyGlow increased the contrast just a little bit.

Darren

[atalas]

Nice schetching and reporting Darren

[dhumpie]

Thanks Louie! I have even seen this one in my 15x70's from mag 4 skies back at my parents place in Malaysia!

Darren

[ving (David)]

Originally Posted by dhumpie

Yup it is a nice and easy catch alright for small scopes Neb filters don't do much for it as it is a reflection type nebula although my ex Orion SkyGlow increased the contrast just a little bit.

Darren

I used a skyglow and it didnt help one bit prolly different conditions)

[dhumpie]

Is yours an Orion one? I heard that between broadband filters, the Orion one does the best. They work particularly well on reflection type nebulae. My ex Orion one made the crab nebula stand out too....

Darren

[ving (David)]

yeah its an orion. it wroked well on m1 just not on this one so much.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

OK, I found it
Easy to overlook when you have been looking at Orion !
I have attempted my first sketch here, with surrounding field stars.

[astro_south (Andrew)]

Sketch looks great Ian. Your on the road to improving your observing skills - hope to see many more from you.

Have you thought about inverting the sketch in something like Irfanview?

[dhumpie]

Brilliant sketch Ian. Keep up the good work. Over here I have been out a couple of sweltering nights with my new 10" dobbie and M78 has been getting some good viewing

Darren

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Thanks for the encouragement guys !
I will try that inversion Andrew, as Irfanview is the program i use anyhow.
Cheers & a Happy New Year to you.

[Adrian-H]

i can see that thing with my dob too