scarp15

Goes with the decor.

Perhaps your 32mm would be better suited as this will open up to 5.3mm exit pupil in your 8" F6. However it would be a narrow field of view and I think that approx 6mm + will be required coupled to a 2" good quality H-beta filter.

Just regarding a little more concerning this, an ultra wide / wide field e.p at low power with a large exit pupil is required. With each of my scopes, I use a 31mm and 41mm eyepiece.

Perhaps I ought to conclude this thread since undertaking a second though not entirely dedicated attempt on Wednesday night. No longer possessing plossls, an 18.2mm DeLite was used, which in principle may have gained a little more contrast whilst aiming to keep out some of the glare from Gamma CAS. However there was little to gain from this reflection nebula from a visual perspective, as there is perhaps still too much glare. It may not be entirely invalid as I think that there is a thread on Cloudy Nights Observers section attempting this, yet best left to the imagers. Of course, no shortage of reflection nebulae to contemplate.

Thanks, I ought had made that a bit clearer, the Horse Head did require the H-beta filter. I used to use a 20mm and 25mm TV plossl on this, which I no longer have, since acquiring an 18.2mm DeLite e.p. It had been a good while since I last had an opportunity to take on more challenging subjects, you tend to forget a little as to what is required. The Horse Head though, once seen, is no longer such an elusive subject as you know the 'trick' required to visually resolve it and there is something strangely satisfying about seeing almost nothing. Actually M78 is a reflection nebula not necessarily best resolved with a H-beta or any other filter. However when the sky is dark and transparent enough it will be easily seen with this filter and is considered a guideline for attempting the 'brighter' portion of Barnard's Loop. It can definitely be detected with smaller aperture and can be an advantage requiring a wider field, I have observed it with an 85mm refractor. However it is a difficult subject, yet perhaps worth while to follow up after the Horse Head. It is fascinating based upon its immensity, you encounter it by first of all establishing the edge, then can drift inwards and perhaps even along (downwards) a little. It is a subject for late on in a session when you have been observing very dim objects and are fully attuned to be dark adapted, even so it is remarkably dim.

Edging west, the lunar earthshine hung crisp with Jupiter brightly suspended above. Crystallized snow covered the moorland this side of Hadrian's Wall, as I gingerly made my way along the single track road to reach my destination. The session began with the Pleiades, looking tantalizing for later and open clusters such as M36. Securing the OIII filter and having missed out last time, M1 welcomed in the session large and puffy. Along to the Flaming Star in Auriga; both components each side of AE Aurigae IC 410 and IC405 were discernibly formed. Often my encounters of IC405 are rather patchy and displaced, not this time, the profile of this emission, reflection nebula was clear and expansive. Along to the Pacman in Cassiopeia which was wholesome and then onto the Bubble, first picking up M52. Having not visited NGC 761 for quite some time, it was much as I recall with about half the 'bubble' visible. Filling the edge of field within each eyepiece, M42 and M43 were visited on numerous occasions. Retaining focus on Orion and removing the filter, the dark lane within the Flame was quite defined in the 10mm Delos. This subject does require experimentation with eyepieces and with and without a UHC filter. Therefore it became time to attempt a visit to the Horse Head and trial this with my 18.2mm DeLite. Well it did take some time to settle in and orientate as well as re-familiarize and get to grips with what a challenge it could it be. Depending on the aperture used and conditions on the night, this subject requires you to relax and take your time and to shut tight your non observing eye. Then it emerges, with averted vision (in my case), the shape or patch, as black as coal. I experimented both with and without the paracorr, satisfied that this eyepiece (having sold off my plossls) can deliver. Then onto the showpiece of the night the California in Perseus. High in the south the perfect time to observe, I decided not to refit the paracorr. The 41mm Panoptic in this configuration (at F4.6) yields a whopping 8.91mm exit pupil, that is however offset by the contrast of the H-beta filter and also providing a maximum field of view. It worked superbly, the nebula was lit up and a delight to cruise along, comparable to a slightly dimmer and plucky impression of the Veil. The H-beta had yet further duties, in locating M78 and gently nudge across until the 'curtain' is detected, that is Barnard's Loop. Once inside, it is like cruising along a river, albeit a very dim one. Returning to the OIII filter, the Collarbone Nebula (Orion), The Rosette and the underwhelming Jellyfish (in Gemini) were each visited. Without a filter, reflection nebula within the Pleiades was very distinct. After which the Double Cluster and Beehive were also visited. To conclude I would like to mention IC59 and IC63 'Ghost of Cassiopeia' - reflection nebula above Gamma CAS. This was my second attempt and formed as part of a topic I'd started in Deep Sky Discussions. Having previously used plossls 20 and 25mm, for this attempt I used my 18.2mm and not unlike last time there was very little that can be discerned. The temperature was at -6C, earlier Sky Quality Meter readings were hitting 21.31, then my battery died, quite sure that this would had become higher. Gingerly reversing my route back, was not without incident, as roe deer darted across and three owls swooped past.

Conditions were fantastic last night. Superb session Kon and for having the patience to keep having a go at the Horse Head. You know when you've seen it, as you and others have described, you just have that conviction, having done all the homework, its just patience and dedication. Encountered it myself last night and will be compiling a report.

Have been more fortunate this side of the UK, as last night (and tonight) was windy yet clear. Based on last night; 6mm Ethos, quite sublime on M35, 21 Ethos for just panning around and generally picking up clusters, early doors; 7mm DeLite (or possibly 5mm) for Jupiter.

If situated within a dark sky environment, a H-beta filter is also valid. Had used this filter with a 76mm refractor and since 85mm, to gain, amongst other objects the California.

Great report and pictures and congrats for gaining the reflection nebulae; Merope and the Running Man. The Merope Nebula is astonishingly vast and fan shaped I have found and certainly as you imply can come and go determined by the fluctuation of transparency conditions and later problems caused by dew. Maybe another time, your 30mm could reveal more.

With some configuration it ought be possible to slide the VX14 into a Mazda 3. Formally had a Fabia, in which it fitted and for the Note, took along a tape measure to the show room just to be sure; it being a deal breaker. The tube is supported on two foam packaging blocks, which act as a cradle and absorb any road bumps. Yes it isn't becoming of a haystack, Rose is totally applicable.

Include Ebay, I have a 3.5mm Delos and 18.2 DeLite through this means.

Perhaps Delos 4.5mm and maybe 3.5mm. 72 degree apparent field of view, 20mm eye relief. Both do occasionally come available used and you could perhaps request for one in the listings.

Thanks it is discouraging when there is a significant absence from participating in what you have become passionate for. Yet one good night observing puts all that right. Towards the turn of the year, I hope that you and all of us, can get out to observe some of those great objects.

A shade below 4" my TV 85 coupled with 41mm Panoptic ; 4.4 degree true field at 14.6x, exit pupil is 5.8mm. Works good with very low surface brightness, large emission nebulae.

Looks pretty good Mike, lake Negratin reservoir; a kind of Kielder in the sun. Looks like there is quite a lot of recreational stuff around there as well, cycling etc. A potential good location for your 20" dob. Do you plan on using your 90 day visa to live out there whilst looking for a property?

Great, since UK citizens have lost their entitlement, that would be interesting to follow your progress Mike. Qualia used to do some interesting reports from the Barcelona area, what part of Spain are you anticipating locating to?

How did you get on if applying for citizenship Mike? Darker skies and just occasionally good weather around a new moon phase. Then a simple 16" F4 dob.

Yeah that can be a problem, mine so far is fairly tolerant (fortunately the backroom and following a night out).

Surprising what you can get into a Nissan Note, didn't quite need to keep the boot open with a red flag dangling off the primary.

There isn't much information from an observers perspective, Cloudy Nights has featured discussions such as this one, which includes an interesting sketch. As Gerry has mentioned, smaller wide field scopes and binoculars are probably really more suited for this large low contrast object. https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/653557-observing-report-ic-1805-cassiopeia-heart-nebula/

Exactly, the Flame would be a very impressive visual target but for the brightness of Alnitak, yet it is this star to which it is associated with, igniting the hydrogen gas cloud, which in turn is integral to the massive expanse of the Orion Molecular Cloud (star forming) Complex. The Flame is quite large and keeping Alnitak just out of the field of view will assist to detect the central dark lanes of the nebula. Because of the contrast required, it is sensitive to exit pupil and this could vary from person to person, as does whether a (such as UHC type) filter will or will not assist. On a good night, the Flame can become an engaging subject, of course dark adaption, no moon, very good transparency are all required. Again with eyepiece selection, good to experiment, but probably something around mid power, may glean the best out of this. Plenty of time, Orion is still emerging and needs to gain in prominence at a more reasonable time of night for most of us.

The Rosette is an excellent and as you indicate expansive O-III target to explore. Concerning the Flame, it will respond more so to particular exit pupil scale and fairly narrow field of view. For example my personal eyepiece that has yielded the most engaging impression; that is the central dark 'branch lines' is a 10mm Delos applied at around 2mm exit pupil. Definitely no H-beta filter on the Flame, my own choice is for no filter. Yes certainly transparency has to be spot on for the Flame. Witches Head Nebula is visually very difficult, a very faint and very large reflection nebula, possibly improbable, filters will not assist, not sure I know of anyone by traditional means that has gained anything of that, maybe Gerry might have had a whiff I'm not sure. Orion Nebula will in the coming months provide plenty to indulge, such as M43 and NGC 1977 Running Man (reflection) nebula.

Just read your report, forgot about the Crab Nebula, I could had included that certainly. There was a lot of potential overhead last night, I found myself leaning against the car or perched back on my observers chair trying to orientate.

It is very displaced as a visual target. Gerry I know has had some success with this. Attempted again last night but wasn't expecting too much due to the moonlight (dark sky trips are no longer necessarily when the moon is not about). Reading an account on Cloudy Nights, a wide field refractor is probably better served for this.