Tadpole neb +

[jetstream]

Tonight provided an opportunity to run for a break in the clouds, and off I went taking -26c and a toque with me lol! I caught the tail end of some very acceptable skies and picked up some new objects.

The Pacman  NGC 281 was a delight to see, very high contrast using the OIII/21mm,25mm eps and showing its dark lane nicely. I've never seen it before and thanks to the other thread posters who brought it to my attention (next object too). NGC 604 in M33 was picked up easily, and now  I know what that splotch is.

The Astronomik Hb performed well again, providing very good views of both NGC 405 (Flaming Star) and NGC 410 (Tadpole neb)....but where is the Spider and the Fly?! Hopefully my TV 25mm plossl will keep on gobbling up these nebs for me and maybe, just maybe let me see the Spider ( NGC 417) and the Fly ( NGC 1931), we're gonna try for sure.

A couple of Triangulum galaxies rounded off the night, NGC 925 and a pair, NGC 672, IC 1727.

All in all a great night, sure appreciate these breaks in the weather

PS- the LZ worked its magic on the Flame neb in Orion.....

[SteveB72]

Thanks, a great report and some new objects now added to my list too.

[faulksy]

brilliant report as always gerry. wish we had clear skys

[cotterless45]

Lovely report ! Well spotted , some wonderful targets there.

Still waiting for the clouds to clear away ,

Nick.

[Special K]

Wow, the H-b filter is good for the Flaming Star nebula too? Sounds promising. This filter has a lot more uses than just the Horsehead and California and I've got to get one (but budget EXHAUSTED!). Nice write up. Did you spot the tadpoles? Sounds delightful!

Clear skies

[jetstream]

Hi Kevin, no tadpoles, but the nebs showed well for faint stuff. It takes me a while to identify the things I see, I went for the Flaming Star and got the other one as a bonus. I've seen more even fainter things around there but need to confirm. A member Fay has helped me with some "maps" using her images. We have dimmed them down to approach what I see, still working on them. I left the Spider and Fly brighter than would be seen.

[jetstream]

 The Flaming star has a bit more nebulosity to it where it hooks around, but this is close. I will adjust it the more I observe it. I really need a 2" Hb.....

[Special K]

Nice image to work with.  I can see the tiny IC417 Nebula plus Stock 8 show up pretty nicely in this.  Not sure which filter brings that particular one out best but I had no luck with a SkyWatcher UHC last time.  M38 is dim and hiding down at the corner of the cat's smile.  It looks like this image is orientated for a refractor with star diagonal, which can be confusing!   

I'm curious why you mention the 2" H-b:  is that to accomodate your larger EP's? 

[jetstream]

Yes, I need to get my widefields on these, California too. I bought the 1.25" for the HH (no luck yet) and have found that I like searching other stuff in Hb as well. I want to try the 21mm 100 deg and the 30mm 82 deg with Hb. I see none of this stuff with my UHC, but my example is a poor one. It takes dark skies and reasonable transparency to see these things (for me anyway).

The large TFOV of the 30mm ES 82 and 21mm Ethos sometimes ups the perceived contrast on nebulae. Doesn't really matter what brand I don't think as long as the exit pupil is in the right range for your scope, but obviously some EP's/filters show a bit better. My 25mm TV plossl works well with Hb, with a narrow FOV (which is also needed sometimes).

Good luck with the nebula pursuits, lots of fun.

[PeterW]

California was wispy last night, was on the cusp of confirming the horsehead too.... Need to improve my light shielding a bit more.

Try for the rosetta and monkey head in Gemini.

Peter

[Special K]

Well done Peter, the California is a HUGE ambition of mine. I love Nebulae views!