Seeing M78 and Flame Nebula

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:47 pm

Just wondering, are these 2 objects visible in an 80ED or an 8" scope?
I tried for the flame and saw nothing 2 nights ago using a VMC200L and Nagler 20T5, 9T1.
Didn't try for M78 though. Would that be visible too?
Thanks!

fizzy123 · Post by **fizzy123** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 12:55 pm

The surface brightness of the nebulas are relatively low, thus you might have difficulty seeing them under SG skies with all the light pollution. Tired searching for M78 using Chris's 8inch goto in Punggai but couldnt see it. Maybe it is due to the light pollution as Orion was still low in the horizon then

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:26 pm

according to one of my observing buddies in the Philippines, from a dark sky site we used to go to (much darker than Punggai), the Flame Nebula is visible in an 8" scope.

in fact, when we were there, he told me "it's right there!" when looking through my 10" dob (passed on to Gary.. passed on to?) but i could not see it myself. must be training the eye.

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:41 pm

M42 was clearly visible in bat-wing shape but didn't manage to see other non-stellar DSOs that evening. Spent most of my time collimating and aligning though.
I remember the one time I was in Punggai was even able to see the hole in the dumbell with an 8"SCT (can't remember whose!)
Orly --> Just as long as he doesn't have flame shapes on his retina! *grin*
Well, my UHC and OIII filters just arrived yesterday, hopefully with them I might be able to pick out something against our very bright sky.

timatworksg · Post by **timatworksg** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:38 pm

With the cloudy nights past months and the layer of hazy sky this December, even M42 wasn't that apparent apart from the Trapezium. Not easy to catch the gas clouds when seeing is this bad. We may have to wait till this monsoon is over and the hot days come which would hopefully be soon.
But yes these are low in brightness and can be difficult to catch with any scope apart from 8" and above. However on clear nights, I have caught a patchy glow from the Lagoon Nebula. So alot has to do with seeing and as Orly mentioned, trained eyes. Sometimes we just miss it!

But let us know how it goes with the new Filters!! Interested on what is visible through them!!

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:55 pm

timatworksg wrote: But let us know how it goes with the new Filters!! Interested on what is visible through them!!

Its been cloudy since they arrived, but Ann Kok was the color of the Grinch on both the OIII and UHC and the grass downstairs looks better defined.

orly_andico · Post by **orly_andico** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:02 pm

this weather curiously coincides with Kevin's purchase of loads of astro-gear.

grab the pitchforks and torches! let's get 'im boys!!!

timatworksg · Post by **timatworksg** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:15 pm

Ann Kok the color of the Grinch...HAHAAHAH! Urm...you were testing the filtersout weren't you??? hmmm??...jk!

@Orly
Not entirely his fault...I bought stuff too,...Muahahaha!

cloud_cover · Post by **cloud_cover** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 5:22 pm

The filters only have a 2" diameter! Since the "curse" is proportional to total aperture of ALL scopes bought in a region, I can't possibly be contributing much!
Tim --> yeah, tried them out on my TV since the skies were not conducive to viewing at all. very interesting effects...

Junming-jm · Post by **Junming-jm** » Sat Jan 01, 2011 4:50 pm

fizzy123 wrote:The surface brightness of the nebulas are relatively low, thus you might have difficulty seeing them under SG skies with all the light pollution. Tired searching for M78 using Chris's 8inch goto in Punggai but couldnt see it. Maybe it is due to the light pollution as Orion was still low in the horizon then

which chris