Quote:
Originally Posted by Stonius
Interesting run-down there Allan. I tend to find the horsehead difficult, but definitely do-able in my 16". I've had some people look through and not be able to see it, where others can. I'd love to see it in dark skies with a 32", that would be mind-blowing!
I think you're right about having seen it makes it easier to detect the next time because you know what to expect.
I'm curious, with your experience, if there are other objects you'd put in a similar category for detection difficulty - as in, all but impossible in 12", do-able in 16" and quite detailed in 32"? If you feel like sharing, of course.
Cheers,
Markus
|
I had over 50 people at my property once and many/most had never seen the Horsehead. So I just lined them up on the 32” and one after the other they all got to see it. For many, they realised they had been looking right at it for 30 years without ever seeing it. IC434 is very bright and detailed in the 32”, so the Horsehead sticks out easily against it.
The Cone nebula is a good example of a target that is tough even in the 32”. I never saw it in my 12”. Don has good eyes and some higher altitude sites, so he might have seen it in his 12.5”. But he would be one of the few humans to do it in that size scope.
My favourite success I’ve had with the 32” is observing the solar system moons. I’ve visually seen 29 moons in the 32”. While 19 or 20 moons would be the limit for a 12”.