Eta Carina

[Graham Sanders]

Welcome to the new year members, as Tassie has been very cloudy for the last few months there has been little opportunity to get out there amongst the stars. I have only had an hour of twilight observing over the last few nights (21st and 22nd) as a result of the full moon rise washing things out quite quickly, however I have been able to look at a few of the brighter nebula in the early eve and have noticed a bright orange halo around Eta Carina. I do not recall seeing this dramatic effect in the past and was wondering if anyone out there has had the same experience? I have a parracor and used a 20mm nagler a 13mm ethos and 9mm nagler on my 17.5 dob all ep's have shown the same result. I have laser collumated each night and just recently cleaned both mirrors, the scope is working beautifully. Is this a new thing happening, I am really hoping so? I look forward to some feedback, cheers Graham :astron: :question:

[astroron]

Hi Graham, and happy new year to you too.
What you are seeing is the Homunculus :) which is matter thrown of the Star Eta Carina in past explosions of the massive star.
See here for more info
http://www.wikitude.com/wiki/Homunculus_Nebula
Great to see you getting some observing in
Cheers

[Graham Sanders]

Hello Ron, thanks for the feedback, I am looking forward to the next week as the sky darkens, the Homunculus should be spectacular. I am not sure why I have not seen this before? perhaps sky conditions have been very good or the correct collumation of the scope has brought out the best in the optics, 13 hours 'til darkness, cheers

[pgc hunter]

The homunculus is tiny and very detailed, so poor seeing will turn it into mush. Collimation should be accurate aswell. I find it best in average seeing in my 12" at 200-250x, if seeing is good I can push it to 300x.

[mental4astro]

Hi Graham,

Robh posted this link on another Eta Carina thread. What it shows is so amazing, you will not look upon this Star and nebula the same way again:

http://imgsrc.hubblesite.org/hu/gallery/db/tours/tour-carina/tour.swf

Knowing what is actually going on here makes this giant of the sky so much more rewarding to look at now.

I too have a 17.5" dobbie. To see so many dark pillars, shockwaves, clusters, details, details, details, is just WOW.

Best bit about it, even the dark pillars can be seen in smaller scopes, say as small as 8", from the big smoke. Even through smaller scopes from a dark site.

Mental.

[Graham Sanders]

I agree, it is a magnificent place to observe, I have a new appreciation for the finer detail available to the human eye with good equipment, good atmospheric conditions and a range of EPs that allow one to truly look!
bring on the clear skies!!

[Graham Sanders]

Thanks again for the link! when I first tried to open it I was unsuccessful, however my brand new imac came through today. This is a beautiful link, visually perfect and very informative, I will be looking for the new features displayed on the site when darks sky returns. I do hope others have taken the time to look at this site, the detail is remarkable and inspire one to look a little closer, cheers Graham