
Visually observing the horsehead
- ftodonoghue
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Visually observing the horsehead was created by ftodonoghue
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.
Trevor
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- DaveGrennan
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Replied by DaveGrennan on topic Re: Visually observing the horsehead
Dave.
J41 - Raheny Observatory.
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Equipment List here
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- michaeloconnell
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Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Re: Visually observing the horsehead
Clear Skies (at last!!)
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- Seanie_Morris
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Replied by Seanie_Morris on topic Re: Visually observing the horsehead
Radio Presenter (Midlands 103), Space Enthusiast, Astronomy Outreach Co-ordinator.
Former IFAS Chairperson and Secretary.
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- ftodonoghue
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Replied by ftodonoghue on topic Re: Visually observing the horsehead
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
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- DaveGrennan
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Replied by DaveGrennan on topic Re: Visually observing the horsehead
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.
Dave.
J41 - Raheny Observatory.
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- mjs
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Replied by mjs on topic Re: Visually observing the horsehead
Just found this on the www.Skyhound.com site, www.skyhound.com/sh/archive/jan/IC_434.html
Will check the images we took last night to see if my "electronic eye" saw it.
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- mjs
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Replied by mjs on topic Re: Visually observing the horsehead
Dave, if you are at Galway at the weekend my self and Trevor will be there and would love to take you up on that offer. Just last club meeting we were asked about the practicability of using these type of filter (narrow band filters) and we had to admit that we had no experience of them.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.
See you there?
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- DaveGrennan
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Replied by DaveGrennan on topic Re: Visually observing the horsehead
Dave.
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Equipment List here
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- ftodonoghue
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- mjs
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Replied by mjs on topic Re: Visually observing the horsehead
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- mjs
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Replied by mjs on topic Re: Visually observing the horsehead
Here is the result of two 120 second raw exposures at ISO 1600 through a 300mm F5.6 Sigma lens on my 300D, stacked in DeepSkyStacker, one dark frame and a little bit of Paint Shop pro for resizing.Will check the images we took last night to see if my "electronic eye" saw it.
Not great, need more images but the clouds and the cold were getting to me! However I can just see a hint of of the horsey!

Bigger version at www.kerryastronomyclub.com/gallery-deep.htm
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- JohnONeill
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Replied by JohnONeill on topic Re: Visually observing the horsehead
You see the Horsehead Nebula by not seeing it. Being a Dark Nebula it appears just appears like a bay (not a horse's head!) in the adjacent Emission Nebula.
In my (former) 33cm (given good conditions) it was easy enough, but this was with a h-beta filter. It bigger than you might think.
At a recent Webb Society meeting it came up for discusssion, few in England had managed to see it. Those in rural Ireland should be better off.
John
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