Eta Carina

[barx1963]

It is a lovely night here in Colac with possibly the best seeing for months. After a few objects in the LMC I thought I would have a peek at Eta Car and OMG! The Homunculus was as clear as I have ever seen it. Cranked the power up to 317x with my 8mm Ethos and I was seeing lots of sharply defined dark patches in both lobes, the star itself was a tiny pin prick and the "skirt" that surrounds the waist of the neb was as clear as day.

Worth buying the 8mm just to see that tonight!

Malcolm

[MattT]

Beautiful bit of the Milky way. Which night Malcolm? I was looking at Eta Carina early morning last week ,not sure which one, with my WO bino's in the 10" Newt….what a sight. Inky black background and lots of grey nebula. Must do more DSO binoviewing.
Matt

[barx1963]

It was last night Matt. I was doing a bit of a survey of the LMC and decided to take a break and move over to Eta Car as I thought it may be a good night and I was keen to see what the 8mm Ethos would really do in good conditions. The air was as still as I have ever seen it with all stars looking like little steady pin pricks. Very rare here in Colac!!

Malcolm

[Paddy]

Fantastic to have such a clear view Malcolm!

[KG8]

Excellent work Malcolm, nice description of the object too, made me feel like I was there at the EP with you. This is the best time of year for observing up here in qld I recon, not too cold and the mozies are going. I will have to dust off my scope and take a trip out to a dark site in a couple of weeks.