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Re: (IAAC) OBJECT: Barnard 33 (HORSEHEAD NEB.); INST: 16" Dobnewt f/4.59

Todd Gross wrote:
> 
> Observer:  Todd Gross
> Your skill:  Intermediate
> Date and UT of observation: 11/29/97
> Location & latitude: 22 miles west of Boston, Ma. 42.3N
> Site classification: Suburban
> Limiting magnitude (visual): 5.0 (estimated) 4.7 (est) in vicinity of object
> Seeing (1 to 10 - worst-best):  6-7
> Moon up (phase?): No
> Weather: Clear
> Instrument: 16" Newtonian-dob w. 96/99% coatings f/4.59
> Magnifications: 62x,124x
> Filters used: H-beta
> Object: Barnard 33, the Horsehead nebula
> Constellation: Orion
> Object data: Dark nebula
> Personal "rating" (at this aperture):  D+
> 
> Did it!! Two nights running under slightly light polluted suburban skies,
> the only way to see the infamous Horsehead nebula was with somewhat
> averted vision, using an H-beta filter. Best at 60-120x, any more and I was
> too magnified, any less, and the light pollution drowned it.
> 
> Object is elusive at first, but with dark adaptation and averted vision (and
> relaxing, looking at other things in the field) the bar of nebulosity is
> noticeable, running across the field, just missing one of the three brighter
> stars in the field at 124x. Rising up from that bar is the dark area
> while ill-defined blotch, which does look like some sort of head gazing to
> it's left
> (right in a star diagonal, I'm sure). At 62x, I have to edge the bright
> star in Orion's
> belt out of the field of view to bring out the nebulosity. Interestingly,
> the flame
> nebula nearby was not detected with the H-beta filter! Also, without the
> h-beta no
> nebulosity was detected on the horsehead.... in these light polluted skies.
> 
> - Todd
> _________________________________
> BOSTON TV METEOROLOGIST TODD GROSS
> Weather/Astronomy Home Page: http://www.weatherman.com
> Administrator, Meade User Group: mapug@shore.net & NE Weather Watcher Mail
> List, wxobs-sne@shore.net
> IRC Channel Operator: #Weather, #Sciastro (Undernet)      //     Originator
> of the NE.WEATHER newsgroup
> _________________________________
> Email: toddg@weatherman.com    Work Phone# (617)725-0777
Reply to the observation of the Horsehead.
	Using the same filter in dark skies in NH, able to see the horsehead
easily. (I have a 32 inch f4 Newtonian) rom Lynnfield Mass in my 16
incher, even with the filter it is nearly an impossible object. The
lesson is that you need dark skies even with these filters for viewing.

					Mario Motta
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