June Challenge Object - NGC3132 (Eight Burst)

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi all.

We'd love you to take part in the June Observing Challenge. Please post your observing reports and sketches for NGC3132 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.

[dhumpie]

Another nice planetary that shows some semblence of detail in a smallish scope. Easily visible in my Orion 80ST (best views above 100x to bring out the annular shape) but better in the C6 (best views at 166x-300x). The use of the UHC filter is not really neccessary but in place, it really brings out the object and it looks elliptical. The nebulosity is rather uniform and I don't see hints of any dark center. The central star is very prominent. As it is a rather smallish planetary (well actually pretty big by planetary standards), its not that affected by light pollution. See my sketch at:

http://www.geocities.com/dhumpie/dastro/3132.jpg

Darren

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Thanks for the sketches Darren (from this and other threads). Hopefully other observers will take encouragement and post a few of their own.

[hector (Andrew)]

From My observing notes
The Eight burst Nebula. It is an unusual planetary, appearing roughlt egg shaped with a bright central star at aboput 13th magnitude. The outer edge of the nebula is the brightest making it look almost annular at first glance. It is a pale aqua in Hector. At high power 450 and up, the outer edge of the nebula is very irregular in shape and appears to have what look like little tendrils eminating from the surface. The nebular responds very well to high power and the aqua colouring could still be noted. the angular size of the planetary appears to be about 40". It was not observed with the OIII. A very nice planetary.