Planetary Nebula NGC 5189 in Musca.
I got to say this is one of the best objects in our sky, it small and faint but in a large scope (12"+) it is awesome.
I did this at the last moment to see if I could get a half decent image of it , I am pleased with the way it turned out but plan on doing it again this weekend with a longer exposure and at F10, there are green's and red's in this object which I have just managed to slighty capture. the colour is there but very faint in this image
If you have a 8" or larger scope do yourselve a favour and track this one down it's worth it.
It can be seen in a 6" from a dark sky site
so if you only have a smaller scope give it a try next time your out .
Mike I think it does well with a UHC but can't remember,I have used filters on it, Andrew (astro south) will be able to tell you he's younger than me and has a better memory :-))
Ving you should have no trouble picking it up in your 8"
its to the left and below of Acrux and below the Jewel Box,
follow Acrux, then NGC 4815 (open cluster) and then it should be about the same distance from 4815 as Acrux is from 4815,
hope that makes sense :-))
David, don't be afraid to use some power on 5189, it takes it well from memory,I remember my first view of this in a 16" Dob, I think I just about fell over.
The nebula will respond to a UHC (from experience) and it definitely likes the OIII (from reading), but it shouldn't be needed to view this object. So long as the sky is resonably dark you should be able to locate it in some small scopes. I have located it from my Brisbane backyard with a 4" short tube refractor, so you should have no trouble finding it in your dob.
The bigger aperture is needed to see some of the fainter details in David's picture. I have heard it referred to as the "spiral planetary", "leafy sea dragon" and the "seahorse". Check it out and take your pick on the common name.
