September Challenge Object (PN) - NGC6302

iceman (Mike) · #1 01-09-2005, 06:57 AM

Hi all.

We'd love you to take part in the September Observing and Imaging Challenge. Please post your reports, sketches and deep-space images of NGC6302 in this thread. Discussions about the images can also be in this thread.

Please ensure the images obey the posting guidelines when you attach them.

While it would be nice if the report, sketch or image were taken in the month of September, it's not essential so feel free to post older reports and images if you're unable to take some new ones.

We look forward to seeing your contributions!

dhumpie · #2 01-09-2005, 01:26 PM

I will get the ball rolling again. This is one of my favourite planetary nebula's that I come back to time and time again. It is a very easy object as it is both smallish and bright (with a very high surface brigthtness) and the views are greatly enhanced by the use of a nebular filter. It is also rather easy to find as it is located very near the stingers of the scorpion. The bug nebula (as it is known as it appears like a squashed bug in the scope) is easy even in a 15x70 binoc although you will need to know where to look. In my Orion 80ST, the bug is small and minisicule at low power but it is evident that it is no star. It appears like an elongated fuzzball with a central brightening. This "impression" is greatly enhanced at higher powers with the UHC filter in place in my 102ST and my C6. I don't detect any color in this and it appears grey to my eyes. BTW this is a very easy catch even from suburbia....see my sketch at:

http://www.geocities.com/dhumpie/dastro/6302bugneg.jpg

Darren

asimov (John) · #3 02-09-2005, 09:38 PM

Consider this bug squished!!

(insert boot crushing bug smilie) lol...This may be one of your favorite planetaries Darren but it was certainly an exercise in frustration for me in locating it.

Yeah I know, it's part of the 'challenge'

Anyhow, close on 3 hrs on hands & knees in the dirt with the refractor while the object is at zenith

(always good fun!) to find it. When I finally spotted it, I thought it looked like a perfectly round planetary until I bumped up the mag a notch & just gazed at it for awhile. It then became apparent that it was actually elongated rather than round. Good to be just able to find it.

davidpretorius · #4 03-09-2005, 08:58 AM

nice report asimov and darren, i will give this a go if the clouds go away!

astro_south (Andrew) · #5 03-09-2005, 03:20 PM

Here is what I saw of the Bug last night under very average conditions. I seem to remember more detail from previous viewings so I might have another go at this before the month is out.

davidpretorius · #6 03-09-2005, 05:25 PM

nice one andrew! clear skys here tonight, i am going to squash asimov's bug or what's left of it!

dhumpie · #7 05-09-2005, 05:33 PM

Yup good one Andrew. I think the "bow-tie" effect with the constriction down the middle is more apparent in larger apertures. I remember seeing it like that in your scope

Darren

Striker (Tony) · #8 06-09-2005, 09:17 PM

This is my effort of the NGC 6302 Planetry.

10 x 45 second exposure's ISO 1600....stacked with Registax and cropped and cleaned up in PhotoDeluxe.

SCT Primefocus at F10 2800mmFL...unguided

I'm having problems with my Mount and Skyscan...it keeps locking up and getting weird backlash ocassionaly..yes occasionaly...it makes no sence...if this keeps up I'm going to get Star Optics to have a look at the whole set up.

Anyway I am happy with my first Planetry for tonights effort.

astro_south (Andrew) · #9 06-09-2005, 09:22 PM

Looks great Tony - well done mate!

dhumpie · #10 07-09-2005, 01:09 PM

Very nice Tony!

Darren

ving (David) · #11 09-09-2005, 12:29 PM

why, why, why are just about all MOC objects in the dob hole!!!

anyhoooo... the bug. quite east to find once you get your guide stars down. for me the hard part was getting those guide stars!
The bug was quite bright tho smaller than i thought it would be. it looked similar to tonys picture but without colour of course. a bright core with "squish" coming out of it at the top and bottom was what i saw. its a nice little PN

seeing:6/10 not perfect but quite good
moon was out and the sky seemed brighter than usual.
15mm SV was my EP of choice (with skyglow filter).

dhumpie · #12 15-09-2005, 01:15 PM

Nice report David!

Darren

atalas · #13 15-09-2005, 04:45 PM

I like It Tony ! your bug that is .

Louie

[1ponders] (Paul) · #14 15-09-2005, 04:54 PM

Nice bug Tony, but to be honest it looks more like a mermaid with her hair streaming out behind her, waving at me rather than looking like a bug.

I agree ving, squish coming out, but surprisingly easy to view though. I must have had a bit better seeing than you at the time.

Orion · #15 02-10-2005, 12:20 PM

Another late one, A pic of the bug taken with the DSI 30x8sec derotated with Autostar Envisage and processed in Registax.

davidpretorius · #16 02-10-2005, 02:05 PM

thanks, i haven't seen this one yet!

atalas · #17 02-10-2005, 06:58 PM

Nice one Ed ! well done mate .

Louie