I just can't say how exciting this was for me. I have read about this object and looked at it in photos for years, and always promised myself it would be an early observing goal once I got my paws on a decent telescope.
Tonight I realised it was accessible, with average seeing from my Sydney backyard, so I dialled it in to my Argo Navis, hunted about a bit with a 8mm Orion Stratus, and there it was. Wow. Adding an Astronomik UHC filter assisted somewhat, and it made me wonder if a OIII filter would be even better.
It looked better with the 8mm than through a 4mm Vixen, and I think I have read here that it is advisable not to try for too much power with nebulae. After a bit with averted vision I could see the central void quite well, but I don't think I picked up the central star. Just my fevered imagination.
Hi Geoff,
There's nothing like finding that object that you've seen in images and books in front of your own eyes and through your scope.
A 0111 filter will improve the view, but not by a whole lot.
There are many delights like this waiting for you, so get back out there!!
Congrats Geoff on the visual capture, It's always a great feeling to see a DSO for the first time.
I'm still waiting for my first viewing of this and the Andromeda galaxy. I always been in the wrong location or there is something in the way like a house or a tree
I too recently saw this object for the first time. I suspect your views were quite a bit more detailed than mine, but I understand your excitement. Congrats.
