How many inch" dob do I need to see dust/gas in Orion/M42 Nebula?
Hi there
Just wondering what dob size would I need if i wanted to see dust/gas in Orion Nebula? I understand you won't be seen it anything like astrophotos, but I've heard can still be sighted? I may be wrong... your feedback is much appreciated thankyou.
In dark skies, the Nebula in Orion (M42 in particular) is naked eye visible. As Mike says, add a pair of binoculars (from, say 7x magnification to higher) and it is a marvellous sight. In my 8" reflector, the nebulosity in the "Sword" is lovely and, with dark skies and eyes adjusted, I can start to make out the dust lanes in the Flame Nebula near Orion's belt.
More experienced observers say that you can start to pick up colour in the nebula with a 12" reflector.
You might need to get out to a darker sky then . Where are you observing from ?
Mark
Currently viewing from my backyard (I know not the best seeing). i have gone to few other parks around the area away from most lights. Perhaps i'll try Gosford/Blue Mountains this weekend see how I go. Reckon you can see much with 6"?
Absolutely yes! Once you know what to look for, where to look and get experienced with using techniques such as averted vision.
How long have you been using the 6" and what have you been looking at?
There's several galaxies, nebulae, globular clusters, open clusters, double stars, coloured stars - plus Moon and planets - all within reach of a collimated 6" reflector!
Use a low power eyepiece (FL >= 20mm) from a reasonably dark site - well away from light pollution source, min. 50km from major city, 20km from large town (parks "around the area" won't do if you live in a city; light pollution travels a long way) and you will see heaps of structure in M42 with the 6" Dob. Looks a lot better than the simulated picture you've linked above.
Absolutely yes! Once you know what to look for, where to look and get experienced with using techniques such as averted vision.
How long have you been using the 6" and what have you been looking at?
There's several galaxies, nebulae, globular clusters, open clusters, double stars, coloured stars - plus Moon and planets - all within reach of a collimated 6" reflector!
Have been using it for few months now.. I am a beginner though and learning everything on my own
Have been looking at few clusters, moon, Jupiter (never seen the GRS unfortunately) and Mars. But want to extend my search to nebulas.. and thought I'd start with the Orion.
Use a low power eyepiece (FL >= 20mm) from a reasonably dark site - well away from light pollution source, min. 50km from major city, 20km from large town (parks "around the area" won't do if you live in a city; light pollution travels a long way) and you will see heaps of structure in M42 with the 6" Dob. Looks a lot better than the simulated picture you've linked above.
Thanks for the tip, i'd be amazed if i seen something better than that picture! This weekend then hopefully can go somewhere with good seeing,blue mountains ?
You need the Southern hemisphere version and if you can print it on A3 paper, that helps a bit more. Lots of suggested targets are given.
This weekend, try to locate the galaxy NGC 253, the Orion nebula M42, the Tarantula nebula NGC 2070, the globular cluster 47 Tuc (NGC 104), the open cluster NGC 4755 (later in the evening when it rises higher above the southern horizon), the galaxy M31.- they are all on the sky map you downloaded above.
Get away from Sydney as much as possible - its sky glow extends more than 100km! Get away from direct lights to allow your eyes adjust to the dark for 40 minutes. Use a redlight torch to look for things and examine the maps. Relax, and don't try to push the magnification beyond around a 20mm eyepiece, until you have an object that is worth magnifing.
You need the Southern hemisphere version and if you can print it on A3 paper, that helps a bit more. Lots of suggested targets are given.
This weekend, try to locate the galaxy NGC 253, the Orion nebula M42, the Tarantula nebula NGC 2070, the globular cluster 47 Tuc (NGC 104), the open cluster NGC 4755 (later in the evening when it rises higher above the southern horizon), the galaxy M31.- they are all on the sky map you downloaded above.
Get away from Sydney as much as possible - its sky glow extends more than 100km! Get away from direct lights to allow your eyes adjust to the dark for 40 minutes. Use a redlight torch to look for things and examine the maps. Relax, and don't try to push the magnification beyond around a 20mm eyepiece, until you have an object that is worth magnifing.
Let us know how it goes!
Thanks for the tips will do best I can to implement in coming days... will report back hopefully with good news
I used to be able to see it clearly in my old 114mm reflector! Even better than that link shows visual!!!
In my 12" I see the the whole neb in slight Green and pink shades. Our Clubs 8" shows it just as bright but without colour. Your 6" should almost be as good from a dark site.
It is best viewed with 20mm - 32mm EP's.
Here is an eyepeice view of how I see it visually from my dark sky in the 12"
Last edited by ballaratdragons; 20-11-2007 at 10:42 PM.
I used to be able to see it clearly in my old 114mm reflector! Even better than that link shows visual!!!
In my 12" I see the the whole neb in slight Green and pink shades. Our Clubs 8" shows it just as bright but without colour. Your 6" should almost be as good from a dark site.
It is best viewed with 20mm - 32mm EP's.
Here is an eyepeice view of how I see it visually from my dark sky in the 12"
BEAUTIFUL! That's what i want to see! Looks like i'll need a 12" to get colours you mention.. Thanks for that.
