horse head

[quimby44]

hi there just a quick question i know i am new on this site so sorry to anybody has answered this question before i have just been on the web and came across the horse head nebula and i think its so awsome what is the best telescope to see orians sword i know it will take me ages to find it but its all the fun doing it  i might even join my local astro club in doncaster i think they have a observatory  not far away thanks for any advice all advice apprieated thanks stephen

[iksose7]

I am not a visual guy but i think most would suggest a fast reflector for looking at deep sky objects, i am sure some one with experience will give you a more defined answer. You should join you local club and try out the scopes, you will gain valuable knowledge from the members there which will help you decide.

Remember that if you live in a heavily light polluted area it may be very hard or maybe near impossible to see nebula, but you can buy light pollution filters although seeing as i have no experience actually looking through a scope or living in light polluted areas, i cant be sure how well they work. Also keep in mind that if you do manage to get a scope under dark skies and look at the horse head, it will look nothing like the fantastic images you can see on the internet.

Callum

[Joves]

To be honest, you'll be able to see M42 (The Orion Nebula) through practically any scope, even under quite polluted skies. It will look a lot better under dark skies though. Under reasonable skies, it's able to be seen with no scope at all. Even in binoculars, it's an awesome object to view.

The Horsehead Nebula, however, is an entirely different story. Not to sound discouraging, but don't even bother trying if you're not under great skies. Even then, and with significantly large scopes, many (most, I'd say actually) are still unable to clinch it. Certainly have a go though, if you are under nice skies. Most report that it needs huge amounts of aperture, but a few have reported seeing it in more moderately sized scopes. There is quite a lot of differing advice on technique and equipment requirements, which you will find by doing a simple forum search on the subject. You never know, you just might get lucky and snag the elusive nag. It's difficulty in being found is what makes it such an appealing object. Best of luck if you do try!

[Helix]

Hi Stephen,

I am not sure if it will help you. I observe the Horse Head nebula a few years already. The last time I observed it was 2 weeks ago. This is very difficult object for many so you need to understand that even if you manage to see it in a moderate size telescope you still will see just very dark dim nebulosity. I saw Barnards 33 (or the shape of the famous horse head) in my 10"dob under the UK skies. Be also ready to accept criticism if you ever see it because people who cannot see it will doubt your ability to see it as well. Sorry this is the truth of life .

My personal tips:

As I said I have 10" dob. Also you need Hydrogen Beta filter. This is the only way to see it but I know two people who saw it without filters. May be you are one of rarest people who can see it without filters

1) I isolated the field of view. I removed ζ Orionis ( the star) from the field of you because it is very bright.

2) I found 'dividing line' between the 'bright' area and the dark area( it is not bright at all, it is a bit lighter than other side)

3) when I could see the dividing line then I scanned the 'brighter' area along the line for the dark patch or Barnards 33( the 'brighter' area because the Horsehead itself is the cloud of thick dust on the background of 'thin' layer of gas and dust - simplified version how to explain it )

4) I took time for letting my brain and eyes to focus and process the picture I see ( nothing to do with imagination ). About 1 to 2 minutes. And here we are! I saw even to what direction it was heading.

Saying I ve seen Barnards 33, I set the rules for myself:

1) dark site

2) very good to excellent transparency and seeing

3) dark adapted eyes (30-40 minutes) and do not look at any bright objects like open clusters or globular cluster, bright stars 30 minutes prior observing Barnards 33. Just DSO with highest possible magnitude to prepare eyes.

4) Hβ (Hydrogen Beta) filter works well only with eyepieces 4-7 mm exit pupil according to company recommendation ( simple math formula, very easy to calculate for you particular scope). I bought Hβ filter and 24 mm Panoptic, I also used 20 mm XW Pentax + Hβ Lumicon filter.

5) good eyesight (my observing eye is only 90% out of 100%).

6) patience

It is just my experience.

Kind regards and all the best,

Tatyana

[RichieP]

I think you myy be confusing the Horsehead Nebula with the Great Orion Nebula (aka M42) which is located in Orion's sword.

The former is very difficult to see and (as explained above) will require a larger scope, very dark skies and possibly a specialised filter.

M42, on the other hand, is very easy to see, even in binoculars. It is a fantastic beginners target.

Richard

[umadog]

Given the broad nature of your question, I would suggest you go to your local club and start from there.

[rwilkey]

The HH is one of the hardest to spot, you need at least an 8" reflector in my opinion, very dark skies and an H-Beta filter. An 18mm ep to start with in my best estimate.  As you are new to this malarkey I would suggest targeting some easier nebs to start with (such as M42, the Great Orion Neb).  I have not managed the HH yet, not had many opportunities at a dark sky site etc.

[wavydavy]

Ive never seen it visually, but imaging the horsehead is fairly easy. Ive also never heard of anyone from u.k skys to ever see it, with any scope or filter.....

[John]

Ive never seen it visually, but imaging the horsehead is fairly easy. Ive also never heard of anyone from u.k skys to ever see it, with any scope or filter.....

A number of members of this forum have seen the Horsehead. It was seen at the SGL star party in Herefordshire a couple of years back with a 16" dobsoninan and an H-Beta filter.

Very challenging but doable with the right seeing conditions and equipment.