Encountering the Jellyfish IC 443

[scarp15]

Date: 26.02.2017

Location: 55' 21N, Northumberland

Instrument: 350mm F4.6 Dobsonian

Conditions: Windy, clear skies

Transparency: Very good

SQM: Ave- 21.37 Range - 20.89 to 21.49

I reached my hunting ground within a forty five minute journey North of Newcastle. Placing the scope close to bushes on the south side of my patch, offset some impact of the wind, though the site is open and exposed to the South West and West across an expanse of moorland.

Super Nova Remnant The Jellyfish nebula, located in Gemini was to become my primary focus of attention tonight.

With much of my overall attention to be within the South West, managing the scope against head on buffeting gusts was in order. Prior to attaching my OIII filter, the evening began with a look at and around M42, most significantly, reflection nebula the Running Man was clear and distinct. I therefore fitted my Lumicon OIII and drifted across to the Rosette.  M42, at least the Trapezium, had become a little distorted by the wind, not so the more highly elevated Rosette which was immense and dynamic, registering depth, contrast and structure, the billowing columns of gas clouds resembling upturned pillars, like of some ancient ruin, a fascinating subject, that I was to return to time and again throughout the evening. 

After this big hitter and confident that the transparency was good, I decided to begin my task for attempting to discern the Jellyfish. I have tried to grasp the Jellyfish on previous occasions, this time being more prepared with further research. Faint nebula such as this require a particular mind-set necessitating, patience and careful coordination (doubly interesting within a head on wind). Expectation is required in terms of what could potentially be visually registered and systematically repeating the observational task time and time again. Following the drama of the Rosette, I was more than happy to commit time intermittently throughout the evening on this much more visually underwhelming subject. What I did detect was a faint strip of elongated nebulosity, very subtle - yet apparent, in which there was a 'brighter' small' portion that stood out with a touch of averted vision. In the vicinity there is Collinder 89 and immersed in this is reflection nebula IC 444, a little easier I think and an aspect I got confused with last time.  Repeated visits throughout the evening, verified my observation.  

Following this I needed some light relief and so swung the scope to the Planetary, Eskimo nebula. After this indulgence I drifted downward and into Monoceros for NGC 2346, the Hourglass nebula, a nicely formed Planetary.  Thor's Helmet NGC 2359 followed after which NGC 2438, nicely shaped and bright P.N embedded in M46. Moving between M46 and M47 I drifted downwards to seek out another P.N, NGC 2440 in Puppis, but I think without success. For some respite from the wind, I swung the scope towards Cassiopeia and on towards M52 and so to pick up, close by, the Bubble nebula. Whilst there, I took a look for the Lobster Claw nebula, sh2-157 but was not so sure that I could discern much here this time. Back around towards Gemini and the Monkeyhead was bright and expansive. More time on the Jellyfish followed and then a visit to M97 Owl nebula in the Plough. I had almost forgotten how big and bright this planetary is.

Removing the OIII, Jupiter and its moons, in the 13E, was crisp and revealing. Three moons aligned into a triangle as though to launch an assault. Time for a bright galaxy tour, which began with the Leo Trio, never what you would really call bright,  not so Bodes Nebula picking up NGC 3348 along the way, the carnivorous M51 and companion NGC 5195 and a bright and dynamic M101 and the glowing companions NGC 5473 and NGC 5474. Brighter still followed an open cluster tour (so much to make up for absent observing opportunities), M35 and the granular NGC 2158 scintillating, visual stimulation continued with the Auriga Clusters and the Beehive.

1.15am and the wind had eased, Leo commanded proudly within the South, meteors zipped hither, the flask was dry and it became time to hit the road.

 

The Jellyfish a summary

In pictures, the Jellyfish nebula is a fascinating subject, visually is a hard object to observe, yet not unlike other faint and difficult nebulae, because it is there, is always worth a try. It may not have that arresting mystic and reverence as is attached to the Horse Head nebula and yet,  embarking on research, taking on a challenge and really concentrating your mind and eye -  when your sky is dark and the transparency is good, is almost like a kind of meditation, you become into an almost Zen like frame of mind and any agitation is left behind (even on a windy night!). The other advantage is that when you return to more familiar objects, they are suddenly that more brighter, resolved and almost leap out at you.

Clear skies

 

  

 

 

 

 

   

[estwing]

fantastic write up Iain....not seen a star since last November so reports like this are keeping me going!....clear skies!

[PeterW]

True nebulae hunter... left the galaxies for a "lap of honour". Good job, maybe the cone is the next to secure?

 

peterW

[scarp15]

2 hours ago, estwing said:

fantastic write up Iain....not seen a star since last November so reports like this are keeping me going!....clear skies!

Thanks Calv, my spirits have been lifted to with other peoples reports, very necessary to prop up each others moral and enthusiasm. I was a little bit apprehensive about going out last night when they gave that wind a name and a cautious mistrust of BBC weather forecasting. Yet I was lucky enough to have an extended weekend and as eager as any of us to make the most. Almost couldn't believe it when I stepped out of the car and saw a sky full of stars. The really good thing (apart from the obvious) about making the effort to venture on a dark sky trip, is that once you are there, time does not matter so you get 5,6,7,8 hrs so long as conditions hold up and you do not become too tired. so last night I got started observing at 8, arrived at a point where I thought I'd better check the time and oh my goodness its 1am, just too busy, too preoccupied.

For the Jellyfish the 21E made the best of what little contrast there was, I was not using a paracorr enjoying the large exit pupil and wide field provided by a 31T5, which was great on the Rosette. 

[scarp15]

2 hours ago, PeterW said:

True nebulae hunter... left the galaxies for a "lap of honour". Good job, maybe the cone is the next to secure?

 

peterW

Yes and perhaps along with a select number of other members, including yourself Peter, have an instinctive appetite for prioritising nebulae hunting, something I am really enjoying learning more about, plenty of mentors around.

One of the defining images embellished on my mind though from last night among many, was however that of M81 & M82, which was close to zenith and observed later in the session when the SQM was hitting 21.45 - 21.49. Granular and dust lane detailing, bright core of M82 the pairing framed in the 21E was outstanding.

[estwing]

Good to hear mate and yes once you get your teeth into a session,time flies but that's because you're enjoying yourself!

[estwing]

Yeah good luck with that cone!!

[jetstream]

Fantastic report Iain, and it so well describes the objects observed, including the Jellyfish- congrats!

[jetstream]

41 minutes ago, estwing said:

Yeah good luck with that cone!!

The Cone...

Last night gave me ultra transparent skies and the nebulosity in the 15 Mon area was glowing brightly. I observed a faint, fairly large bed of nebulosity around HD 47887- in direct vision (barely) with the UHC/21E.

And yet...

No Cone.

I give many Kudos to those who can see this object

[mapstar]

Nice report and well worth getting out and chancing a view as the forecasts never are quite accurate. Although as others point out reading that someone has got out is a great boost to the enthusiasm.

I always seem to forget about nebulae once I'm up and hopping but I shall have to try a session or two on them. 

Happy hunting and keep telling us about it here on SGL. 

[estwing]

8 hours ago, jetstream said:

The Cone...

Last night gave me ultra transparent skies and the nebulosity in the 15 Mon area was glowing brightly. I observed a faint, fairly large bed of nebulosity around HD 47887- in direct vision (barely) with the UHC/21E.

And yet...

No Cone.

I give many Kudos to those who can see this object

Oh Gerry I feel if you can't bag the cone nobody can......:/

[faulksy]

brilliant report iain and as said keep them coming, which helps us all to keep going.

good luck with the cone as well

[jetstream]

7 hours ago, estwing said:

Oh Gerry I feel if you can't bag the cone nobody can......:/

I just need a bigger scope

[alan potts]

Very nice report Iain hope to able to get out myself soon, clouds are not being very helpful.

Alan

[PeterW]

Bigger.... or faster?

Peter

[jetstream]

28 minutes ago, PeterW said:

Bigger.... or faster?

Peter

Both more focal length and  faster, to match my 21E better ie way bigger lol! 24" maybe?!

Edited February 28, 2017 by jetstream

[PeterW]

At least faster will reduce the climb to the eyepiece... but your field of view will suffer. My next scope will be a for sitting down.

 

peter

[niallk]

Wonderful inspiring report! 

Haven't had a session out in several weeks now, just itching to catch a good night...