Winter Planetary Nebulae

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Winter is a fine season for locating and observing a variety of interesting planetary nebulae types, including some with bipolar lobes, that can somewhat resemble a butterfly.

NGCC 2392 The Eskimo Nebula in Gemini, is perhaps the most famous and on every observers seasonal list. 

NGC 2346 Hour Glass Nebula in Monoceros. A bipolar planetary, that requires high power and an OIII filter.

NGC 1535 Cleopatra's Eye in Eridanus. Bright sometimes compared to the Eskimo nebula, can take high power really well.

NGC 2371-2 The Gemini Cluster (or Peanut), located in Gemini. Another fine bipolar, two lobe planetary, requires high power to resolve.

NGC 2022 Collarbone Nebula in Orion. Bright and star like at low power, Use medium / high power to see a faint grey oval patch.

Abell 21 Medusa Nebula in Gemini. Of low surface brightness, quite large and visually challenging.

NGC 2438 located in M46 (which is close to M47), Puppis. A nice observation, embedded within the cluster, not to be mistaken for the close by visually very difficult Calabash Nebula.

NGC 1514 Crystal Ball Nebula in Perseus. Definitely requires a filter such as an OIII, to see this round haze nebula, which is otherwise lost to the glare of the 9th mag central star.

NGC 2440 Bat Nebula in Puppis. A bright bipolar planetary, location is quite low, at roughly the same declination and to the east of Sirius.

NGC 1501 Camels Eye in Camelopardalis. Located just north of Kemble's Cascade, bright and round containing a variable central star.

 

When the air is steady to apply high power, the central star will be revealed and additional features such as a halo, on many in this compilation. Please include comments for any of these listed, based on an observation or account and provide details for any further winter season planetary nebula not referred to on this list.

 

 

  

 

 

 

[alanjgreen]

Thanks Iain. A useful list, some of these were missing from my Sky Safari observing list, so I have added them now!

I reported on the Eskimo and Medusa in the last month. Look forward to getting my new Ethos6 on some of these next month...

Alan

[estwing]

caught 2371 last year Iain, yes you are right about the power! bagged with 8mm ethos at 255x.

[Mr niall]

Thanks, useful list (wasn’t aware of at least half of those!)

[Paul73]

Me too. Thanks for posting.

I’ll enjoy hunting those down. Although, the Medusa might be a step too far for my sky.

A lot of people forget that these babies really come alive as you up the mag.

Paul

[niallk]

+1 thanks for posting! Some new ones for me there too 

Dear Santa, all I want for Xmas is some good weather conditions please for using my dob

[Special K]

Thanks Iain, those PNs make a good list. I've had great times with the Eskimo and Collarbone. Tried for some of the others with less success and there are some I've never thought to try.  There is never enough time!