Revisit Common Objects - A Short Visual Session

[weixing]

Hi,
Re-visit some of the common objects using my Celestron 6" F5 Achromat during the free period when my DSLR was taking the images. Nebula objects were seen with the Astronomik UHC filter. The following eyepieces were use:
1) WO 28mm UWAN: 27x (~3 degree FoV)
2) Baadar 13mm Hyperion: 58x (~1.1 degree FoV)
3) Televue 7mm Nagler: 107x (~0.7 degree FoV)
4) Antares 1.6x 2" Barlow

M8 Lagoon Nebula
Very obvious in direct view at 27x. In fact, both M20 (Trifid Nebula) and M8 fit in the same 3 degree field of view. At 58x and 107x, the surface brightness drop quite a lot, but more details can be seen when using averted vision.

M16 Eagle Nebula
Can see a patch of blur nebulosity at 27x... quite obvious even in direct view. But only a hint of nebulosity left when viewing at 58x and none can be seen at higher power.

M17 Swan Nebula
Very, very obvious in direct view at 27x... a clearly define small inverted grey swan on a light grey background. The best view is at 107x when more details can be seen include some faint nebulosity surround it... don't look like a swan anymore as the faint nebulosity break the swan shape.

M20 Trifid Nebula
Look like a small patch of nebulosity in direct view at 27x... Slightly better when using averted vision. The best view is at 58x using averted vision when the dark lanes divided the nebula is visible... but very, very faint.

M24 Star Cloud
A large and fantastic object, but the light pollution really "kill" it. Those fine little stars were barely seen at 27x... the contrast is very bad due to the bright background.

M27 Dumbbell Nebula
Very obvious in direct view at 27x. Actually, it don't look like a dumbbell as the faint nebulosity surround it is also quite obvious. Best view at 58x and 107x when more details can be seen.

M57 Ring Nebula
Very small at 27x... I nearly miss it. At higher power, the shape of the ring and the hole can be clearly seen even in direct view. Best view at 172x (7mm with 1.6x)... can still be seen in direct view, but the ring in averted vision look bigger and better.

Have a nice day.

[Gary]

Nice visual report Weixing! Is the refractor a Celestron OMNI XLT 150?

[weixing]

Hi,

Nice visual report Weixing! Is the refractor a Celestron OMNI XLT 150?

Yes... same as the one in buy and sell section.

Have a nice day.