Observing Report, on the hunt for planetary nebulae

Finally it cleared here in kerry, and I went out the back with the dob to do a little observing. First up was Cygnus and tried to track down the blinking planetary nebula NGC 6826, and yes it does appear to blink. After a lot of awkward searching (it was almost at the zenith) I finally found it. Bolstered by this success I headed to aquarius and tried for the Saturn Nebula, eventually I also found this and managed to see where it got its name from. it had what appeared to be spikes coming out from it on two sides. What really struck me was how stellar like these guys were compared to m57 or m27. I guess the ring and dumbell are exceptional specimens.
Still on the hunt for planetary nebula, I tried and failed to spot the blue snowball (NGC 7662) in Andromeda. Tracking down these nebulae was the nights main activity.
During the course of he night I also took in the summer triangle, a buch of open clusters in cassiopeia and perseus, m72 and m73 in aquarius and of course the M31 complex. M33 Ngc 752.
I also had a look for the Veil Nebula tonight. This is my second time trying for this from the back garden in a relatively light polluted area and I think I have seen it both times. I am not sure about this and am looking forward to trying from a dark site. Has anyone experience of observing the veil nebula from suburbia
Peeking over the neighbours garden as I was calling it a night was M45. I rounded of the night with a qawk at this with the 10X50's and remembered that this cluster was one of the first things I looked at with my fathers binoculars when I was a young fella:What a way to end a night :lol:

That's a very nice report, you saw a lot from your back garden.

Deirdre Kelleghan
www.irishastrosoc.org

Hi Trevor,

I have seen some nice detail in the veil from suburbia on many occassions. Certainly a UHC filter makes a huge improvement but it is definitely possible.

A good night then so Trevor ! I was all geared up when...rain rain rain :evil:

Has anyone experience of observing the veil nebula from suburbia

I've only seen it once as a faint structure with my 9 x 60mm binos on a night of exceptional clarity from my own backyard one night last year. I could make it out faintly.

Keith..

It was a good night alright and well needed. Was just checking up on the blue snowball today, looks like it should have been an easy one to find. I have printed out some charts from Cartes du ciel so I will nail it the next time.

I was relying on the free Mag 7 charts available on line, but I guess its time to get a decent set. I have the mag 8.5 ones, on a4 but they will take a bit of getting used to. I am used to A3 now with large sections of the sky.

I've been able to catch the snowball a few times this summer from my very light polluted back yard. It's faintly reminiscent of M57 though a lot dimmer and smaller. Keep trying you'll get it yet!!