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(IAAC) OBJECT: M76, Instrument: 80mm Apochromatic Refractor
Observer: Todd Gross
Your skill: Intermediate
Date and UT of observation: 7/29/97 0800 GMT
Location & latitude: 22 miles west of Boston, Ma. 42.3N
Site classification: Suburban
Limiting magnitude (visual): 4.9 (estimated) 4.9(est) in vicinity of object
Seeing (1 to 10 - worst to best): 4
Moon up (phase?): Yes, crescent
Instrument: 80mm Apochromatic Refractor
Magnifications: 20x, 68x,92x
Filters used: UHC-lumicon
Object: M76 "little" dumbell nebula
Constellation:
Object data: Small planetary nebula
RA/DE:
Surprisingly easy to find, using charts and a 1x reflex site, I found this
object in well under a minute. It
appeared as a slightly elongated nebulous spot at 20x, and stood out with
the UHC filter in place.
At 70x it easily showed it's little dumbell shape, but not nearly as large
or as prominent as M27, the
dumbell nebula. Was clearly visible with and w/o the filter, but stood out
bravely with the UHC filter in place.
I estimate best magnification with this size scope would be 60-85x. At 92x
the object showed even more detail, but began to dim too much for comfort
due to the low light gathering of the 3.2" scope. Very gratifying to be able
to see so clearly a 12th magnitude, supposedly difficult Messier object with
small aperture. It appeared to float among a fairly rich field of stars.
- 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