having difficulty with 3918, the Blue Planetary Neb. How difficult is it suppose to be. I'm using my 12" from my backyard, which admitadly is in a light pollutted area. I can easily see M66&65 in the northen skyglow. But not the blue planetary in the darker and higher south???
David,
If you can easily see M65/M66 you should be able to see NGC 3918.
The main problem is that it is fairly small (diameter about 12 seconds of arc) and it can be easily overlooked. Also, if seeing conditions are poor, it will seem to pulse or fade in and out of view. However, once sighted its greeny-blue colour makes it quite distinct.
Regards, Rob.
Thanks rob, I'll keep trying and up the power maybe...(work out the best EP combo), I'm pretty confident I know where it is. Star hopping is so much fun...I love it! Thanks for the feedback
the trouble is, its in an area of sky thats packed! i had trouble finding it to in a 12" dob, purely because of the area of the sky, and the fact thats its really quite small. I was shown where it was at a recent dark sky night, and now i can see it just fine.
Your low power eyepiece should pick it up dave.. I always seem to hunt a little to close to delta crux when going for a visit.. It is very easy to see when you find it but also easy to overlook.
Yep look for that bent arrowhead asterism in your finder scope and you'll find it.
Its quite bright for a planetary and the colour is striking, but even in my 15" at high powers theres no real detail to be seen, just a blue disc.
I also have had trouble fiinding it with my 12" dob. I know where to look, but just not seeing it. The chart from Kev will certainly help, just perserverence I suppose.
FOUND IT GUYS ... doing up some ob notes for later and three drawings to show how I found it...will post in the sub ob forum...for such a tiny target, I have enjoyed every minute of it...thanks again all.
Help needed with Blue Planetary...please.
