Saw an obs report on cloudynights about planetary nebulae in the SMC. It's got me thinking, this seems to be an exotic field of observing that I've never seen elaborated on until now.... hunting PNe in the Magellanic clouds.
Is there any map or list of planetaries within the clouds?
Chap called Kent Wallace has compiled list of pn in the LMC and SMC visible with a 20". You might want to google it/him - I'll have a dig about and see if I have a copy.
cheers,
Andrew.
I find it hard to imagine being able to visually observe PN as far away as 150-200,000 light years even with a 20" scope. In putting together the charts for Clouds of Magellan I have not encountered observable planetaries. But I would love to include a list or put them on the charts if there are visually observable PNs. With the SMC in particular, many of the open clusters are quite small visually (1' or less), let alone PNs.
I find it hard to imagine being able to visually observe PN as far away as 150-200,000 light years even with a 20" scope. In putting together the charts for Clouds of Magellan I have not encountered observable planetaries. But I would love to include a list or put them on the charts if there are visually observable PNs. With the SMC in particular, many of the open clusters are quite small visually (1' or less), let alone PNs.
I came across this observing report on CN. Apparently some can be found with 15-20" scopes using a filter, under very dark skies.
I've had some correspondence with ngcles a little while ago about the PN's within the bounds of M7. He mentioned that they were very small and a real challenge to see.
I asked Les if the way to actually determine their visual identification is by using the technique of "blinking", which he said "yep". Blinking involves alternating between using an EP with and without a nebula filter. The 'star' that doesn't blink in the switch over is the PN. It's a slow process as you really can only take in a small patch of the FOV at a time to process mentally. Charts are just about a must too.
Hmmm, this blinking technique may be worthy of mentioning in the observing tips...
I've had some correspondence with ngcles a little while ago about the PN's within the bounds of M7. He mentioned that they were very small and a real challenge to see.
I asked Les if the way to actually determine their visual identification is by using the technique of "blinking", which he said "yep". Blinking involves alternating between using an EP with and without a nebula filter. The 'star' that doesn't blink in the switch over is the PN. It's a slow process as you really can only take in a small patch of the FOV at a time to process mentally. Charts are just about a must too.
Hmmm, this blinking technique may be worthy of mentioning in the observing tips...
Hi folks
This may be a dumb suggestion, but is it possible to use a binocular viewer in a telescope with independant filters in each eyepiece - or just in one? Would this aid the blinking technique - so to speak!? Just blink alternate eyes?
Though not speaking from experience, I don't see why not. Have a go and let us know! Good idea John. Could try with a few brighter PNs first as an easy first up set of targets.
