First look at Nebula

[-Aldebaran-]

Bagged my first planetary nebula tonight, M57 ring nebula in Lyra, I think a darker site other than my yard may be needed for better clarity, would a filter also help???? I went hunting for the Cats eye Nebula in Draco but has thus far eluded me!

[ghostdance]

Congratulations! Lovely sight innit? Perfect little smoke ring in the stars...

Your 200p is much bigger than my baby Dob, but I found my newly-bought UHC filter did greatlyish help isolate the Ring so I'd imagine the effect would be even better for you.

What's your next M then?

[Dave In Vermont]

The following link will take you to one of the best listing of stellar objects and how well different filters show them:

http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org/resources/by-dave-knisely/filter-performance-comparisons-for-some-common-nebulae/

For M57 - the Ring Nebula in Lyra - it has this to say:

M57 RING NEBULA (planetary nebula in Lyra)
(10 inch f/5.6, 52x, 71x).
DEEP-SKY: (2) Darkens the background slightly, and brings out hints of very faint nebulosity off the ends of the oval, but otherwise doesn’t help much.
UHC: (4) Really darkens the background and stars, and begins to show a more prominent glow in the interior of the ring, with hints of faint outer nebulosity around the outer edges of the ring.
OIII: (4) Darkens the nebula and the background still further, but slight increase in contrast noted. Outer shell just visible with averted vision.
H-BETA: (0) Really kills things, with the nebula now being very dim.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR M57: UHC/OIII. Nebula is bright and small enough not to really benefit enormously from filter use, but UHC does improve it to a degree (H-BETA is NOT recommended!).
 

Congratulations on bagging M57. Many people have a great deal of trouble locating this beauty. Good job!

Enjoy & Clear Skies,

Dave

[Paul73]

Congratulations. It is a lovely site isn't it.

Re. The filter question. OIII or UHC is the way to go. Last night I got a bit more from my OIII on this one. Either will really help your PN hunting.

Try the Dumbbell M27 next. Same area of sky, bigger but not quite as bright (I can just about get it with my 10x50 binos from my moderately dark back garden).

Here is a link to an Observign report for a feew of the more prominent PN's.

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/225558-surprisingly-bright-pns/

Paul

[Paul73]

Sorry forgot this one Qualia. It should be compulsory reading for Planetery Nebula hunters!

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/224890-planetary-nebulae-a-little-guide/

Paul

[jetstream]

Bagged my first planetary nebula tonight, M57 ring nebula in Lyra, I think a darker site other than my yard may be needed for better clarity, would a filter also help???? I went hunting for the Cats eye Nebula in Draco but has thus far eluded me!

Congrats! I was looking at M57 tonight and it will take a pile of mag, no filter  @ 275x , with UHC a bit less was best. I would try your 14mm MV first and then the  24mm MV with the 2.5x barlow. A UHC works nicely with some pretty high mags,.