Amazing Seeing

[rmcpb (Rob)]

The past three times I have been out is between clearings where light hazy cloud is coming and the atmosphere is dead calm. Each time the seeing has been amazing to say the least.

The hazy cloud is back over at present, hence me online, but the seeing the hour before was stunning. For the first time I actually observed both ends of the Homunuculus nebula that surrounds Eta Carinae with direct vision!

I have never done this before so its a buzz

Jupiter, Omega Cent, Sombrero Galaxy, etc were wonderful but seeing both ends of the nebula was what its about.

[Hitchhiker]

Great you got some good observing in!

Cloudy here.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by rmcpb

For the first time I actually observed both ends of the Homunuculus nebula that surrounds Eta Carinae with direct vision!

I have never done this before so its a buzz

If the seeing is good it should also be possible to discern detail in the nebula.
Another trick for when the seeing is good is splitting Antares

[davidpretorius]

Originally Posted by rmcpb

For the first time I actually observed both ends of the Homunuculus nebula that surrounds Eta Carinae with direct vision!

awesome rob, that sounds great, what do you look for to see this. My concentration has been imaging jupiter, but i really must get out and do some viewing!

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Originally Posted by Starkler

If the seeing is good it should also be possible to discern detail in the nebula.

Geoff,

I did see some "detail" in the closer end, more of a mottling than real detail but I was a bit sceptical as I have seen the Hubble photos and thought that it may have been wishful thinking. Nice to have it confirmed that it is possible to see the details visually though

[rmcpb (Rob)]

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

awesome rob, that sounds great, what do you look for to see this.

David, Just find Eta Car and it will not really focus as the surrounding stars will. If you look carefully you will see a couple of "bubbles" around it, that is the nebula which would make a great photo if I can see it in my 8" a photo through your 10" will be stunning.

[dennislowe]

Another trick for when the seeing is good is splitting Antares [/quote]

Seeing was good for me on Saturday night. I split Antares at 320X. It felt good, this star has been my nemisis for about 30 years .
Dennis.