May Challenge Object - NGC3242

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi all.

We'd love you to take part in the May Observing Challenge. Please post your observing reports and sketches for NGC3242 in this thread. Discussions about the object can also be in this thread.

Please ensure scanned sketches obey the image posting guidelines when you attach them.

For deep-space images of the object, see the "Deep Space" astrophotography forum.

[hector (Andrew)]

Hi All
NGC3242 is the Ghost of Jupiter with my observation notes from the 16th Feb 2000.
WOW!!!
The planetary is about 1' in diameter. The central star is very bright at 12th magnitude. The planetary has a very high surface brightness and has a distinct blue colouring. It appears to be broken into 2 parts, an inner ring and an outer envelope. The inner ring is the brightest section of the nebular and is annular in appearence but NOT round, more oval in shape. This inner ring is about 20" across and has an almost hollow center with the central star marking the middle. The inner portion of the nebular has a very strong aqua colour which can be seen with direct vision. The edge of this inner ring is sharp and is easliy distinguished from the rest of the nebular. The eye seems drawn to the central star when viewed with direct vision. The outer envelope is round in appearence and shows an obvious but less vivid aqua colouring. There is no structure to be seen other than the colour. With averted vision the nebular as a complete thing looks like an aqua eye staring back at you, or like a blue version of the CBS symbol. The smallest apeture that i have been able to locate this planetary is a 90mm f5.6 scope.
Enjoy observing it, as it is one of the BEST planetaries in the sky.
Clear Skies
Andrew