How to see the horsehead?

[Starkler (Geoff)]

I was with Dave the other night observing and also saw the horsehead.

To be more accurate I could detect the horsehead as a notch or gap in the very faint band of nebulosity. I couldn't discern any shape or detail.

If you want to actually SEE the horsehead shape, I think you need an instrument of serious size and good dark transparent skies.

[Spanrz (Brett)]

I had a crack at this one last last night / early this morning. (ok, 2am then)
I've been destined to see this since the 4 1/2" Newt days (a long time ago).
No good, I'm in the ball park, just not dark enough skies, also no filter.
Still being mesmerized at M42 though, being a consolation to the Horsey.
I'm still in that phase of a "kid in the candy store". I've only got 1 week to go, till I hit back to work, so I'm getting my late nights done early!

What I learnt last night was amazing. Had a look at the Omega Centauri Glob Cluster and blown away. As I have never seen it from a 4 1/2".
From what you guys talk about seeing the Horsehead, was similiar to me picking an individual star out of the glob cluster.
I was there about 15 minutes, just trying to study it. It was so hard to focus on an individual star, or even make out the pattern of the cluster, because it was so faint.

Next on the shopping list is : Hb filter and some dark skies.
Destiny awaits!

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Good on ya Brett,
Keep working on it you will catch it some day.
Come down the the MPAS observing field some time.
Check there web site, http://www.mpas.asn.au/
I go there from time to time. It's not very dark but better than up town way.

Cheers.

[erick (Eric)]

Second last visit to Snake Valley, my observing buddy said he could make it out (12" reflector with 13mm Ethos eyepiece) with averted vision. I couldn't get it, unfortunately. I couldn't even make out the bright nebula. I'll keep looking over the next months.

Brett, a good test is whether you are seeing the Flame Nebula (NGC 2024). If not, then you won't be seeing Horsie (Barnard 33 in bright nebula IC 434), I would suggest. So you may wish to practice seeing that nebula first.

BTW, I still stand by my earlier observation:-
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=18401

[Jen]

Originally Posted by CoombellKid

try a bucket full of lucerne chaff : ) and dont forget "Here horsie horsie"

regards,CS

well he is a stubborn horsie and he wont listen

[GrahamL]

I got a look at the edge of ic 434 once from my backyard in my 10 "
no filter.. no horsehead either .. I was easily spotting the flame every night
leading up to this one night when seeing was almost perfect.. I could imagine getting that sort of evening at a really darks site would be
an almost never occurance unless you lived there.

[erick (Eric)]

OK, it's Horsie season again and I want to give it another shot with my 12". I couldn't pick it out without a filter.

Time to buy a 2" H-beta filter.

Which one, folks?

Lumicon - USD199.95
Orion - $155.95
Thousand Oaks - $179

Looks like you pay more for narrower passband width.


Of course, if I don't see it, I can tell my wife that I really really have to see it and I already have the H-beta filter - so I just need a 20"+ scope to go with the filter

[Dave47tuc (David)]

I have seen it with my old 12" and a UHC but it is easier with the H-beta. I would not buy a 2" one. Buy the 1.25" cheaper as you will hardly use the filter.

Once you have seen it a few times it really is easy

Show you at SV

[Outbackmanyep]

Well....... there is a rodeo in Walcha this weekend, i dunno if i wanna get bucked though!

[erick (Eric)]

Got a UHC, Dave. I'll take you up on this task at SV, thanks. Hmmm - Thousand Oaks 1.25" - USD79.95 - pretty cheap.

But I made a promise to myself to buy only 2" filters from now on - to give me maximum flexibility.

Also, I haven't worked out exit pupil yet, but I was fairly convinced I'd be wanting to use one of my 2" eyepieces to get a good FOV.

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by Outbackmanyep

Well....... there is a rodeo in Walcha this weekend, i dunno if i wanna get bucked though!

You'll only be "seeing stars", mate, no nebulae!