Is it possible to observe the "Fickle Finger" visually?

[pgc hunter]

Upon seeing recent pics of the world's funniest deep sky object, I've been wondering if it is possible to observe it in a 12" class telescope at high power under good seeing. Based on the pics I've seen, it is only bit smaller than the Homunculus nebula, so size-wise it should be resolvable - as in atleast a dark feature at its location (as I doubt the actual shape would be resolvable). Would there be enough contrast between the offensive gesture and the background nebulosity?

[tornado33]

Id recommend a UHC type filter to increase the contrast for the best chance of seeing it.
Scott

[pgc hunter]

I've got both a UHC and an OIII so no worries about lack of filters etc. I've found that the OIII does a superb job of enhancing the contrast between the nebulosity and the dark 'bays' that line its edge, so I might have a go with that.

[astroron]

I spent quite some time over two nights observations of the Eta Carina nebula using a 16"scope,eyepieces from 13mm Nagler140x mag to 6mm Radian 304x mag, with and without a O111 filter .
I used Peter Ward's Very Deep Image and was unable to see the nebula.:(
It maybe that the nebula may only show up photographically,due to the dimness of the object.
The seeing was good with lots of detail seen in the Homunculus, and surrounding nebulosity:)
:astron: