M76 WOW factor!!!!!

[Robstargazer15]

I just found M76, the little dumbell nebula, and at 115x, i saw the dumbell shape that gave the planetary its name. I prefere the it to be called the "apple core" instead. Another messier object in the bag. Only 107 messiers left.

[Robstargazer15]

I meant 7 messiers left, im confused with M102.

I have actually found 103 messiers.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

M76 is rather nice (underrated, I would say), and not that difficult I found. I got M102 (NGC 5866 in Draco) quite easily, and could even spot the dust band in my C8. You 12" dob should have no problems. If you have so many Messiers, you should have made quite some inroads into the Herschel 400, because the lists overlap considerably.

[Double Kick Drum]

M76 is a great object if your sky is up to it. Congratulations on another new find.

Your NGC count is probably higher than the 62 you have quoted. I think all but two Messiers (M40 and M45) have an NGC catalogue number and M76 actually has two (NGC 650 and NGC 651).

Additionally, as Michael states, I think there are twenty odd on the Herschel list too. Wikipedia will elaborate on what appears in both lists.

[Mike73]

M76 appeared as a fuzzy rectangle with a faint halo of gas around it in my 16" with moderate LP.

http://darkskysketch...uk/search?q=m76

This is an interesting little video on M76, worth a watch.

If anyone else is getting bored of standing outside shaking there fists at the clouds then I can recommend this series of short videos on You Tube by Deep Sky Videos, most are only 5 minute clips but lots of good info on the Messiers etc.

http://www.youtube.c...s?feature=watch

[Robstargazer15]

At midnight tonight, rain and tornadoes are possible. Sadly that means clouds.i guess ill be shaking my fist at those clouds then.

[crashtestdummy]

i somehow overlooked m76 so hopefully i will get it tomorrow night.shame the moon will be up the same time the coma berenices comes into view

[rory]

like mike, i recall seeing a small cloudy rectangle from a moderately polluted back garden. should be an easy tich for you rich, although that moon could play havoc !

[Mike73]

i somehow overlooked m76 so hopefully i will get it tomorrow night.shame the moon will be up the same time the coma berenices comes into view

Still worth a try, a UHC or OIII will make a big difference.

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

Still worth a try, a UHC or OIII will make a big difference.

Good advice. Filters work wonders on planetaries in moonlight

[Double Kick Drum]

i somehow overlooked m76 so hopefully i will get it tomorrow night.shame the moon will be up the same time the coma berenices comes into view

M76 is in Perseus and should be visible as soon as it is astronomically dark.

[rory]

M76 is in Perseus and should be visible as soon as it is astronomically dark.

and you dont live in cloudland ! im sooo sick of this awful weather. scopes getting cobwebs.

[Double Kick Drum]

and you dont live in cloudland ! im sooo sick of this awful weather. scopes getting cobwebs.

Yes, I forget myself!

T'was clear at 6pm this evening although not great visibility. I did have the scope out briefly but it felt so vulnerable in the high winds, I packed it away again before viewing anything.

[crashtestdummy]

bagged m76 tonight but seeing wasnt that good.didnt bother using a filter,will wait until the moon is out of the way