First view of Orion Nebula

[Dave scutt]

Hi everyone. 

As still new to this and only got my first scope  in the summer,  I haven't had a chance to see Orion rise in the sky yet.

I couldn't sleep last night and at 3.30 decided to get up ,looking outside I could see clear skies, quickly getting dressed rolled the dob out of the shed not having time to cool down I could see clouds coming in from the west.

Using the 28mm ep to find the Orion Nebula it looked magnificent, added a uhc filter but it didn't look any different, I changed to a es 82 degrees 6.6mm and was very pleased on how good the ep was, at 4.15 the clouds covered everything so rolled the dob back in and it started to rain as usual 😪. 

Can you see any colour in Orion Nebula with any other filters or is it always going to be grey I know you won't see it like the way it is in books.

Thanks dave

[Stu]

2 hours ago, Dave scutt said:

Can you see any colour in Orion Nebula with any other filters or is it always going to be grey I know you won't see it like the way it is in books

Nice opportunist session Dave. Did you spy the trapezium of four stars in the centre?

The most I’ve managed is a green tint to it. I believe that with very big scopes and very dark skies you can start to get pinks and reds, but it will never be anything like the images I’m afraid. Most DSOs are grey smudges of varying shapes and sizes!

 

[Merlin]

What’s the aperture of your ‘scope Dave?

[Dave scutt]

19 minutes ago, Merlin said:

What’s the aperture of your ‘scope Dave?

12"skywatcher ,  I live in bortle 3 area

[Stu]

1 minute ago, Dave scutt said:

12"skywatcher ,  I live in bortle 3 area

Should be pretty detailed for you in that case 👍👍

[Dave scutt]

29 minutes ago, Stu said:

Nice opportunist session Dave. Did you spy the trapezium of four stars in the centre?

The most I’ve managed is a green tint to it. I believe that with very big scopes and very dark skies you can start to get pinks and reds, but it will never be anything like the images I’m afraid. Most DSOs are grey smudges of varying shapes and sizes!

 

Hi Stu did you use any filters when you saw a green tint

[Stu]

1 minute ago, Dave scutt said:

Hi Stu did you use any filters when you saw a green tint

No, I didn’t. I do use OIII and UHC filters on nebulae but wouldn’t trust those to show true colour. I’ve viewed it without filters and seen green tints even in a 4” scope. Strangely, the colour shows better in smaller scopes when I’m less dark adapted, I guess because my eye’s cones are still being stimulated? Give it a go!

[chiltonstar]

I always see it as greenish lilac when the sky is very dark. When there's some haze and light from sodium streetlamps is being back scattered, it just looks greyish. Should be magnificent in a 12" dob!

Chris

[Nik271]

The Orion nebula is one of the brightest nebulae in the sky, so filters are generally not needed unless you live in a particularly light polluted area.

12 inch Dob in Bortle 3 will give a magnificent view of it, congratulations!

Edited October 4, 2021 by Nik271

[John]

If I see tints in Messier 42 they are generally greenish and particularly around the "fishes mouth" / Trapezium - Hygenian region.

I have occasionally seen pale pink tints in the "sail" and "sword" sections when I use my Astronomik UHC filter on this target.

These are faint and subtle though.

The view with a 12 inch scope is outstanding !

 

 

 

Edited October 4, 2021 by John

[IB20]

I seem to remember M42 showed a slight green hue in my 8” dob under Bortle 5/6 skies. This was enhanced slightly with the Astronomik UHC filter.

It’s been a while though, very much looking forward to observing it again soon. 

[Dave scutt]

Next clear skies (hopefully) I let the dob cool down and might have some time to study closer, is it best under low or high magnification. 

Thanks for all your replies 

Edited October 4, 2021 by Dave scutt

[IB20]

I’m sure my best views were with the 18mm BST, it seemed to frame the object better.

I have the 17.5mm Morpheus now which is an amazing EP, I cannot wait!

[Dave scutt]

Just checked weather for tonight, hoping a might get an 1 hour or 2

[IB20]

Those skies man… 🎉

[ScouseSpaceCadet]

1 hour ago, IB20 said:

Those skies man… 🎉

Yea observer's paradise. At least while the sky isn't cloudy.

Well done Dave. When the winter skies darken a bit more and Orion rises, you're in for a treat with the dob and yes without a filter I've noted a green hue too.

 

Edited October 4, 2021 by ScouseSpaceCadet

[Stu1smartcookie]

Cant wait for the winter Constellations  . It will be my first winter season with my 12" Dob , Dave ,... and your report has fuelled the enthusiasm even more . 

 

[Pixies]

I can occasionally see a green hint in my 8" dob, but never sure whether this is just suggested imagination. My kids see it clearly green, though.

[skyhog]

When I was a lot younger m42 definitely displayed a green hue. And it certainly wasn't a hint or open to interpretation. Even with the 12 sct these days I don't see colour at all, even though the sight is still a stand out favourite of mine. There's a lot to be said for starting this hobby early with those young eyes... 😉

[tripleped]

guarantee you'll never  get  tired  of looking  at  M42! Especially with all that  aperture.  I'll patiently wait  for winter to see it again. Not getting  up at  3 AM if I can help it😄

[SuburbanMak]

Congratulations! Its a breathtaking object & sounds like you have great views and the equipment to enjoy it at its best. 

Interesting to note in the thread above a couple of folk saying they could see a green colour when younger or that their kids can see the colours. I came back to astronomy after many years and had a distinct memory of the Orion Nebula as glowing green - now at 50, its all just grey mist & shadows...

Clear skies! 

[John]

39 minutes ago, SuburbanMak said:

Congratulations! Its a breathtaking object & sounds like you have great views and the equipment to enjoy it at its best. 

Interesting to note in the thread above a couple of folk saying they could see a green colour when younger or that their kids can see the colours. I came back to astronomy after many years and had a distinct memory of the Orion Nebula as glowing green - now at 50, its all just grey mist & shadows...

Clear skies! 

I've noticed, when doing outreach events with my astro society, that it is often the younger eyes that can pick up colour tints more readily than older folks can. Maybe younger eyes are more receptive to colour ?

 

 

[david_taurus83]

22 hours ago, Dave scutt said:

Just checked weather for tonight, hoping a might get an 1 hour or 2

Your not too far from Bolands bar then?!

[Dave scutt]

Just up the road live by fairly mount post office 

[Dave scutt]

1 hour ago, david_taurus83 said:

Your not too far from Bolands bar then?!

Have you been to bolands bar