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How much magnification?


Dom1961

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As you know I saw the ring nebula for the first time the other night, I was wondering how much magnification can nebulae like this can handle? Would 240x be pushing it? And is the ring nebula the only one this small or are there other small Nebulae, as I wouldn't want to get an eyepiece only for one nebula. Thanks!

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The Trouble with high magnification on faint objects like galaxies and nebula I think is that it can reduce the surface brightness so although it would appear larger it would also be incredibly dim. Don't take it as fact until someone verifies it.

The owl nebula in Ursa Major is another small nebula, looks a lot like a galaxy face on, a very faint object but with dark skies and a filter, better contrast could be seen.

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I've used 265x on the Ring with my 12" dob on a good, dark night and had well defined views of it.

There are a number of other small planetary nebulae such as the Eskimo, the Saturn Nebula etc so they would benefit from high magnfications too. They are not as impressive as the Ring but worth seeking out.

There are also a set of nebulae such as the Dumbell and the Owl where medium magnfications can work well - something around 80x - 150x depending on the conditions / instrument / eyepiece.

No hard and fast rules on this stuff though - try some different magnifications and see how YOU like to do it ! :smiley:

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Okay thanks! I was looking for the owl last night but with no luck, I guess it was the moon light hiding it. I'll see what other nebulae are like first, I've only seen ring nebula so far.

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Okay thanks! I was looking for the owl last night but with no luck, I guess it was the moon light hiding it. I'll see what other nebulae are like first, I've only seen ring nebula so far.

The Owl is difficult. An O-III filter helps massively as would a moonless night. It's amazing how the moon can drown out faint objects even if they are on the other side of the sky.

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I recently viewed the Emerald Nebula through my 12" Dob. I've seen various planetary nebulae but this one is truly stunning. Although small it is distinctively bright green against the stellar background. It will easily take 200x on a reasonable night. It is situated in Ophiuchus with lots of other good objects, predominantly globulars.

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The blinking planetary is a nice one to try. Averted vision shows the nebula, look directly at it and the men disappeared and the central star pops in to view.

The smaller PNs such as the Ring etc tend to have higher surface brightness than the larger nebulae such as the Owl.

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One of my favourites is the Blue Snowball and I really do believe I can see blue in my 12 inch. The ring M57, I have had up to X358 in the same scope when I saw the central star, it was very faint and I spent a few weeks looking for it, I will be having another go with the bigger scope soon, at the moment to see it early on I would have to knock the house down which will not go down too well.

As said different targets require different power to get the most out of them, never over do magnifcation, less is often more, in bigger scopes the atmoshpere is more often the limiting factor.

Alan.

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Where about i's that? Does it have one of the code things? And is it quite bright? Sorry for all the questions xD

Don't worry about questions, that's what the forum is about!

The Blinking Planetary is NGC6826, it does look green in a larger aperture.

For reference, the Blue Snowball, which does look blue (!) is NGC7662

Stu

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I was looking at the ring at 245x a couple of nights ago - nice views direct vision in the 15" in less than decent conditions. I imagined there was a bluish twinge... :) First visit to M57 this year. The Cat's Eye neb is one that I have my sights on (1st time seeing it was 2 sessions ago). Had 245x and also for the lark 329x on it - next time will be without first quarter moon and I'll remember to bring out my O-III! Love trying again and again on planetary nebs, seeking that magical viewing night ;)

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Don't worry about questions, that's what the forum is about!

The Blinking Planetary is NGC6826, it does look green in a larger aperture.

For reference, the Blue Snowball, which does look blue (!) is NGC7662

Stu

Nice one - I've never seen these two yet :)

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Don't worry about questions, that's what the forum is about!

The Blinking Planetary is NGC6826, it does look green in a larger aperture.

For reference, the Blue Snowball, which does look blue (!) is NGC7662

Stu

Nice one - I've never seen these two yet :)

And to add to Stu's info the Emerald PN I mentioned is NGC6572.

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A magical viewing night for me is being able to find some of these things, goto's really make you lazy, I found M51 last time out with the Dob and almost did a lap of the garden

That's why I never really wanted a go to when I was choosing a scope. I wanted the challenge of searching for what I want and the to be rewarded!:D

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That's why I never really wanted a go to when I was choosing a scope. I wanted the challenge of searching for what I want and the to be rewarded! :D

Very commendable indeed. I started out back in 1973 I think it was,  I really believe I got to know the sky fairly well over the next few years. This knowledge sort of stayed with me up until I restarted in 2008, with of cousre a goto now I really have to think, yes I know the constellations but astronomy is about a bit more than.

that.

OP sorry that statement has little or nothing to do with magnification.

Alan

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As you know I saw the ring nebula for the first time the other night, I was wondering how much magnification can nebulae like this can handle? Would 240x be pushing it? And is the ring nebula the only one this small or are there other small Nebulae, as I wouldn't want to get an eyepiece only for one nebula. Thanks!

The ring nebula is not a particularly small planetary nebulae and there are indeed many more smaller targets with some appearing stellar unless very high power is used. 

Whether or not you'll get much use out of a high power eyepiece like the one you mention is down to how many of these difficult objects you are likely to be wanting to hunt down. Remember some will remain stellar regardless of magnification used. Even through quite large aperture often very little in the way of detail can be seen in them.

Larger diffuse nebulae seldom need anywhere near the magnification that you have asked about.

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