Homunculus Nebula

[Brian W]

Hi all, tonight I might have seen the Homunculus Nebula. I was observing with our 8" LB. at 200x. If I used averted vision I could see two lobes at approximately 2 and 7 O'clock.

My problem is that I was alone and I have no idea if it was just my imagination or if it is possible in an 8" at 200x to see it.

Brian

[ausastronomer]

Hi Brian,

To be honest its a long time since I have owned or used an 8" scope, so I can't remember exactly what power I see them at in that aperture, but from what I recollect 200X should be enough.

Try a bit more power 250x to 300X and the orange lobes should be fairly evident. They are quite bright, you just need enough power to "pop em out". Once you see them there should be no doubt about seeing them, they are bright.

Cheers,
John B

[mental4astro]

Hi Brian,

By the sounds of it you found it.

The Homunculus Nebula is bright enough to not really need averted vision. It also has a very distinct orange colour and somewhat 'fibrous' lobes. 200X is plenty to see it easily, so too is an 8" scope. I see it easily in my 8" with the details above. If you use any type of nebula filter with it the bugger disappears because it's orange colour is cancelled out by the filter.

Even 125x should be enough to spy out its shape & volume.

If conditions are good you may also notice one of the lobes appears larger, only because one lies in front of the other & perspective comes into play with foreshortening. Gives a nice, subtle 3D effect.

Alex.

Just saw John's reply too. Pretty much the same, :)

PS, I'll try to spy out the Eagle again this season like I mentioned last year to you. Didn't get a chance last year owing to conditions being terrible. Going to be a real challenge, :thumbsup:

[Brian W]

Conditions were not great but what was there had no colour.... maybe sometime in the next month or so the clouds will clear away again. If not there is always next year :)
Brian
PS conditions here have been lousy too, did more observing in one month of 2010 than all of this year so far.

[mozzie]

had a look tonight and at 209x was very evident the red or orangeness and was able to see a point and the flaring of the neb either side very nice!!!!!!!
thanks for the thread...

[ballaratdragons]

Yep, easy to see :thumbsup:
but sooo damn hard to photograph!!!! :mad2:

[mozzie]

i was amazed at not really noticing it until this thread, some magnification and time spent on it and can't wait till tonight......clouded out early last night.