Is the Horsehead Nebula observable visually?

[Bart]

I suppose the title says it all. Wondered is this a photographic object only? Any tips greatly appreciated.

Barry

[Mark at Beaufort]

Barry I have tried for many years to see HH visually but have not been successful. There was an interesting website reported on SGL in November last year - which you might find interesting. The link to the 'magic eyepiece' is here - http://home.ix.netco...b/MEyepiece.htm and the SGL thread link is here -

I have a 10" Dob, a reasonable dark site and a thousand oaks H-Beta filter. Since November the weather has been terrible and I have not had much opportunity to try out the 'magic eyepiece' with the H-Beta filter.

I notice you have a 16" Dob so you might be more successful.

Mark

[Kai]

People do observe the Horsehead but you do need dark skies.

It's nothing like the images though , more a darker section against the background.

I've not seen it though

[DirkSteele]

I have managed it with an 11" SCT, a Hydrogen Beta filter and a very dark (mag 6 type) sky. But not every time I have tried with the same set up.

[acey]

It was discovered photographically, after the surrounding nebula had already been observed visually. Subsequent observers have managed to see the horsehead shape with varying degrees of success. I've seen it with a 12" and UHC filter at a dark site.

What you have to bear in mind is that it's a dark nebula seen against an emission nebula. In photographs the emission nebula looks very bright and the horsehead looks very dark by contrast, but in reality the emission nebula is very faint (it was missed out of the NGC and instead has an IC desgination). So you're looking for something dark againt something that is almost as dark. When I viewed it, I sketched the nebula bit by bit as parts became visible, and on my picture I ended up with a gap in the shape of a horsehead (actually more like a dog on my sketch). I never saw the whole horsehead at one time, because I could only catch little bits of the emission nebula at one time. Others have managed the whole thing.

I have to say, though, that this is one object whose fame (from photographs) far outstrips anything you'll ever see at the eyepiece.

[ollypenrice]

As above. I've had visual hints and have seen the shape once, all sightings in our 20 inch under mag 7 skies. It's faint!!

Olly

[Josh Wilson]

The closest I've come to seeing the Horsehead is some nebulosity around Sigma Orionis. Nothing more than that. Based on the posts before this, it is very well possible but needs planning, clear (and dark) skies and dark adapted eyes.

Josh

[mert]

I seen it last year under very dark transparent skies in North Scotland in a 12" SCT, I looked for 10 hours or so over a few nights, I used a Televue 40mm Plossl and a 1.25 H-Beta filter, I also seen it the same night with a 30mm eyepiece with a 2" H-Beta filter, have a look at this guys site, http://freescruz.com/~4cygni/haggisizing/astro/HH-sense.htm

With my new scope It should be much easier to see although I'm sure the skies have a lot to do with it.

[Bart]

Thanks all

Sounds like I shouldn't get my hopes up. Best not to spend too much time on it, sounds like it would drive you mad!

[mert]

Thanks all

Sounds like I shouldn't get my hopes up. Best not to spend too much time on it, sounds like it would drive you mad!

Do you have a H-Beta filter?

[Bart]

Do you have a H-Beta filter?

No, no H-Beta filter, looks like I need one for this

[John]

No, no H-Beta filter, looks like I need one for this

I think the H-Beta is the optimum filter but the Horsehead can also be seen using a good UHC filter such as the Orion Ultrablock I believe.

[Luke]

We've seen the Flame nebula but had no luck with the Horsehead yet with a 16 inch dob and H-Beta filter under okay skies. We could see something there, we're not giving up hope just yet!

[acey]

I think the H-Beta is the optimum filter but the Horsehead can also be seen using a good UHC filter such as the Orion Ultrablock I believe.

It was a Lumicon UHC that I used. An H-beta is recommended but only really comes into its own on the Horsehead and one or two other objects, so it's a substantial investment to see not very much.

[mert]

I'm going to have another crack at it when/if the clouds finally go

[Bart]

Thanks again all, might leave this as one of my 'one day' objects, when I own a 30" Dob under pristine, dark dkies.....

[Moonshane]

I'd like to have a go at this sometime too. If it can be seen with a UHC then maybe I could do so with my 16" f4 and 26mm nagler.

[Joaquim Q]

Hey my friends. I´ve have found an interesting article about the observation of the Horsehead nebula by a guy with a 6" reflector telescope, with some sketches too:

http://www.perezmedia.net/beltofvenus/archives/000379.html

I hope that can be interesting for the topic. Best regards to all.

Joaquim Q.

[Merlin]

I don't recall where, but I've read reports of the Horsehead being visible in moderate apertures and in exceptional skies.