Object: M97 Owl Nebula (NGC 3587) | Date: 2018 May 2 |
Type: Planetary Nebula | |
Constellation: Ursa Major | Time & altitude: 22.45 UT 70º |
Catalogue data: | Seeing (5 high): 4/5 |
R.A: 11h 15m | Transparency (5 high): 3/5 |
Dec: 55º 01 | Telescope: 0.5m f4.1 Dob. |
Magnitude 11 | Eyepiece 8mm Ethos x260 |
Size (mins) 3 | Filters: With & without Lumicon OIII |
Notes: A lot of moisture in the air. The Moon, 3 days past full is low in the SE, is slightly dimmed by cloud. The unfiltered view of M97 is of a disk evenly illuminated across most of its diameter, and then quickly fading to nothing. The overall shape is slightly oval, major and minor axes in ratio 6:5 with the major axis aligned NE-SW. The OIII filter renders the famous “eyes” visible but only just. The W “eye” is fairly obvious but the other is a difficult feature to pick out. I did not notice the 14.5m central star. No impression of colour. |