Visually observing the horsehead

Hi folks

Just wondering if anybody here has visually observed the horsehead nebula and if so, what were the conditions at the time of observation and what size instrument/magnification did you use.

Yep, seen it many times. The smallest scope I saw it in was a 16" reflector. Always with a lumicon H-Beta filter and very dark skies.

Seen it a few times with my 8" LX90. From a very dark sky though. Couldn't see the horsehead shape itself but just the nebula. Needs a wide field of view. A contrast boosting filter helps also.

Clear Skies (at last!!)

I don't recall ever 'seeing' it myself. Though now I have the club's 12 inch reflector, so I should try again this winter.

Thanks lads,

I reckoned this might be just about doable in an 8" on an exceptional night...If I am lucky I will spot it in the next 20 years or so.

Trevor, You'd be lucky to spot it in an 8" even from the darkest of skies. I remember one time looking at it with a h-beta filter through a 20" from the darkest skies of west mayo (with jed glover, phil lardner and ronan newman) and it was just on the very edge of visibility.

However you never know.

I have a 1.25" inch lumicon h-beta filter. If you (or anyone) wants to borrow it you'd be more than welcome to.