Sa2-21, Planetary Nebula in Puppis

[tornado33]

Hi all.
Decided to capture this one before it slid toward the western horizon. It looks like a ghost image of the bright star, (16 Pup).

8x10 mins ISO 400. LPS filter, MPCC coma corrector. Modded 350D. 10 inch f5.6, off axis hand guided as usual.

Full sized version here

As I started the 2nd last sub the seeing started to deteiorate. I started as soon as it was properly dark, and the guide star was nice and steady, but towards the end it got rather mushy. While packing up and taking the darks, a wind came up and the stars started twinkling like mad. Gee Im glad I got the imaging done in the best window of opportunity

The PN is Mag 14.7, so will be a nice visual challenge, but times running out this season. Anyone going to the SPSP may want to pencil it in for the big dobs there.

I love Planetaries, theres so many of them out there that have rarely been imaged in colour, and no 2 are exactly the same.
Scott

[strongmanmike (Michael)]

Yet another very cool image there Scotty, you have the hand guiding working like it was autoguiding .

At a greater FL it looks like it could look rather like PK 164+31.1

http://www.rc-astro.com/photo/id1163_big.html

Gee I wish I could see the dam sky from this place... bluddy trees and road lights! Hope to get out to my dark sky location tomorrow and/or Friday..?

[tornado33]

Thanks
Some nice images on that site. Thats a helluva observatory he has too.

When the milky way is up theres plenty of Planetaries to keep me busy. If Im keen I might get up early Sat or Sun morning if weather is okay

I can see much of the southern sky but not much of the north. I can shift to another position in the yard but thats right near a neighbours light. I envy ppl that live at dark sky sites with unobstructed skies.
Scott

[alan meehan (Alan)]

Nice one Scotty love these little planetarys you keep finding excellant shot as usual.

[theodog (Jeff)]

Nice Planetary Neb images Scott.
Is this the start of the "Alder Colour Catalogue of Faint Planetaries"?
Great work.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

It's a sweet little planetary that one.

[Lester]

Very nice image Scott.

I like planetaries also due to their differences.

[Ric]

I agree Scott, planetaries are great fun to capture.

This one looks a beauty, was it tricky with that bright star nearby.

Cheers

[tornado33]

many thanks all.
I may have found an uncharted nebula (unless its on a more obscure catalogue). Its on the DSS image as well as mine. Looks like greenish oxygen emission with a trace of red .

Any idias what it is?
Scott

[glenc (Glen)]

Nice image. Nothing in Guide 8 next to 16 Pup. What are you going to call it?

[Alchemy (Clive)]

nice work, not on any of my charts. hope its something new, they do pop up , remember Mcniels Nebula in orion recently.

[tornado33]

I wonder if it is associated with the bright star?
Scott

[Hagar (Doug)]

Nice image Scott. Tiny little buggers. Nicely resolved. Go on name it!!!

[tornado33]

How about "Scotts Unknown Nebula "

[spacezebra (Petra)]

Great capture Scott. Im a big fan of globs and planetaries.

Cheers Petra d.

[dcalleja]

Nice image Scott. I love PN's too.

[ngcles]

Hi Scott & All,

Originally Posted by tornado33

The PN is Mag 14.7, so will be a nice visual challenge, but times running out this season. Anyone going to the SPSP may want to pencil it in for the big dobs there.

I love Planetaries, theres so many of them out there that have rarely been imaged in colour, and no 2 are exactly the same.
Scott

First up, Excellent image Scott! Love PNe!!

For visual observers, big dob not required, dark sky optional, but somewhat if not highly desirable.

SA 2-21 is visible in a 10" 'scope from suburbia -- it's really only mag 4.4 16 Puppis that makes it tricky to see.

Here is the 25cm observation from suburban Engadine in Jan 1997:

x138 21' TF + UHC filter.

Very difficult to see due to glare from a mag 4 * (16 Puppis) which is only 6' E. Must exclude that star to make even a dolubtful obs. A.V strictly needed. Disc, Nr a couple of mag 12 *s. Amorphus blob, maybe 40-50" diameter. No structure visible. Diffuse edges. V faint for home and 25cm!!

and a couple of nights later at Bargo under a "nearly dark" sky:

x181 15' TF + UHC.

x181 17' TF. Mag 13.5 Size 40". Confirming observation of one made at home on 02011997. Much easier in a DK sky. Can almost hold with D.V. Makes a RA Tri with 2 mag 12 *s. 5' W of mag 4 16 Puppis. Maybe annular, centre seems slightly darker. Edges seem harder than on 02011997.

It bears considerable similarity to M97. Undoubtedly would be a very nice sight in a big 'scope.

As for the other bits of stuff, a SIMBAD search (have I mentioed before how much I hate the SIMBAD interface) reveals nothing at their position. My guess is that they are very distant galaxies. If you look carefully there are several more in the close crop of your image Scott and in the DSS frame here and there.


Best,

Les D

[tornado33]

Thanks all.
Yes Im sure it would look great in a 20+ inch dob under a dark sky.
Scott