NGC 2070 - the Tarantula under OIII

[Gem (Grant)]

Hi all!
I was playing around with my new OIII filter last night. Up till now I had been concentrating on PN, but I had read that certain emission nebula came up well under OIII. So I checked out the ones that I had read about and were nicely positioned: M8, M16 and M17. M8 and M17 were particularly good. Fantastic contrast and the dark lanes were so much clearer. The filter really did its job. I then had a thought... since the article I had read was northern in origin... maybe the Tarantula (NGC 2070) would also come up good.
Now I live in the suburbs and Dorado was low to the horizon, so the viewing should have been awful... but the OIII filter made my heart stop! The detail! The contrast! Now, maybe under darker skies the difference would not be as great... but for me in my light affected backyard I could not believe the amazing sight I was viewing! It has been a while since I have observed the Tarantula nebula but I am glad I made the effort.
For anyone in light polluted skies (or any other)... if you don't have one, grab an OIII filter (mine was only $60 from Andrews) and have a look!!

[Kevnool (Kev)]

Hi Grant.

Yep the 0III is a great filter.
It is a must have filter.
I use mine quite a fair bit.

Also use it on NGC 2359 ( Thors Helmet) when you see Orion high in the sky.
It is actually in Canis Major not far from Sirius.

Cheers Kev.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

It is on my list for tonights viewing !

[Suzy]

I haven't tried my OIII on the Tarantula yet, will make sure I do next time.
To me, it's a scary looking nebula even unfiltered. I shudder to think (from what you describe) the views thru the OIII.

On an un related topic (in ref. to another post on another thread by you)- been trying to take a look at NGC5189 PN in Musca, but was too low in the sky, have to try for it a bit earlier. And I'm trying to go after some of the other PN's you listed.

[Sarge (Rod)]

Thanks Grant. I've just picked my 0III (father's day gift), so am really looking forward to trying it out, you have really wet my appetite. From the objects you've mentioned it looks like I'm in for a long night - if those blxxxdy clouds clear.

Clear skies

Rod

[Gem (Grant)]

Glad to be of an encouragement!

[Rob_K]

Sad, but I've got an OIII filter that I've only ever used twice, on NGC 2070 and NGC 2359 (Thor's Helmet). Generally there's a pretty poor contrast gain/light loss ratio on a small scope like mine but the OIII did work well on these.

With line filters like OIII, match your usage to the particular objects. Tarantula and Thor's Helmet emit very strongly in OIII and hence respond really well to an OIII filter, as Kev said. There are lots of other objects too - Veil Nebula, Dumbbell Nebula etc.

Good luck with it Gem, look forward to more reports!

Cheers -