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(IAAC) Obj: NGC 3242 (PK261+32.1) - Inst: 444.5 mm F/5 Newtonian

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Observation Poster: Charles Rose <crose@midsouth.rr.com>

Observer: Charles Rose
Your skills: Intermediate (some years)
Date/time of observation: 9:45 pm CST
Location of site: Southaven, MS (Lat 34.969, Elev )
Site classification: Suburban
Sky darkness: 15.3 <Telescopic LM>
Seeing: 7 <1-10 Seeing Scale (10 best)>
Moon presence: None - moon not in sky
Instrument: 444.5 mm F/5 Newtonian
Magnification: 63x, 118x, 229x, 370x
Filter(s): OIII
Object(s): NGC 3242  (PK261+32.1)
Category: Planetary nebula.
Class: 
Constellation: HYA
Data: mag 8.6  size 16"
Position: RA 10:24  DEC -18:39
Description:
This object is most impressive to me with the 17.5" scope. At low power (63x)
the nebula appeared bright emerald green and showed a fair amount of scintill-
ation with averted vision. At 229x the "eye" was quite obvious and was very 
striking. At 229x the color was more pale, but still gave the impression of
bluegreen. At 370x the outer spherical envelope was pale blue with the "eye"
appearing pale bluegreen. The central star was visible at 370x and was 
immediately surrounded by a darker region being best seen with averted vision.
The OIII filter appeared to primarily enhance the outer spherical envelope
reducing any contrast with the central "eye" region. The nebula looked very
similar to the photo in Burnham's Celestial Handbook. 
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