[AJames]

This is a very tough choice because of the wide variety of objects to select from. Magnitude is certainly the major factor, but personally I think that visible structure and colour ranks more important in suitability and attractiveness.

... but after much contemplation, these are the Top Ten Planetaries.

My Selected Top Ten

1. NGC 7298 Helix Nebula in Aquarius (Biggest and nearest PNe.)
2. NGC 6853 / M27 / Dumbbell Nebula in Vulpecula - Changes shape and structure through different apertures
3. NGC 3132 Eight-Burst Nebula in Vela - Just stunning!
4. NGC 5189 Spiral Planetary in Musca - Unusual shape Simply amazing!
5. NGC 6720 / M57 / Ring Nebula in Lyra - Classic type
6. NGC 3918 Blue Planetary in Centaurus - Easy planetary to find and blindingly bright.
7. NGC 1514 in Taurus - First found planetary
8. NGC 5844 in TrA. This is because it is very bright and easy to find but is unlisted and unobserved in most amateur listings.
9. NGC 3195 in "Grey Nebula" Chameleon ; Changes appearance in different apertures
10. NGC 7662 Blue Snowball Nebula in Andromeda - Just love the blue colour
=10. NGC 7354 in Cepheus - Quite pretty nebula with interesting internal structure. Observed once in 1997 from Devon U.K.

Honourable Mentions (no particular order)

NGC 6543 Cat's Eye Nebula in Draco - really love the HST image
NGC 4361 in Corvus - really nice!!
NGC 2818 in Pyxis - attractiveness increased as in open cluster
NGC 2392 Gemini - Brightest known planetary in the sky
NGC 3242 Ghost of Jupiter in Hydra - Stunningly bright and large.
NGC 3587 / M97 Owl Nebula - As Dame Edna would say;
"Spooky, darlings...."
NGC 6445 Crescent Nebula in Sagittarius - Odd shape and colour. A must if you on a large Dobsonian
NGC 4071 in Musca - A personal favourite though needs large aperture
NGC 1535 in Eridanus - A whooping 9.6 magnitude. Odd colour
IC 4406 in Lupus - Ultimate square peg in an expected round hole - brilliant)
NGC 5882 in Lupus - opposite to IC 4406 dull blue colours.
He2-434 in Pavo - Little lost planetary in the middle of nowhere.

(Carpe Noctem, parvulus - Seize the Night, Baby)