Iiro's DeepSky Sketches

Name: NGC 3242	Other name: PK 261+32.1
RA: 10h 24.8m	DEC: -18° 39'
Constellation: HYA
Type: Planetary nebula
Magnitude: 8.6
Size: 40'' x 35''
Surface brightness: 5.4
Brightest star: 12.3
Classification: 4(3b)
Description: ! vB,lE 147,45" d,blue
Notes: H IV 27,Ghost of Jupiter
Observer: Iiro Sairanen
Location: Pico de la Nieve (1900 m), La Palma, Spain
Date: 30/31.3.2008 1:15
Instrument: Newton 110/805 mm
Magnification: 230x	Filter: O-III
Field: 21'	Seeing: 2
Background sky: 2	NE lim mag: 7.2
Visuality: I	Height: 40°
Weather: +7°C, windy
Description: Ghost of Jupiter. A very tricky planetary nebula thru small telescopes. There are several details just detachable with intent observing. At first, this nebula is very bright and it stands high magnification very well, narrowband filters might also help. I used 230x and an O-III filter. With this combination I saw brighter spot in the middle and C figures on the edges. These details weren't easy. Without O-III filter there was a weak halo around the blue nebula but the details were gone.
Updated: 2.8.2008 23:11
Name: NGC 3242	Other name: PK 261+32.1
RA: 10h 24.8m	DEC: -18° 39'
Constellation: HYA
Type: Planetary nebula
Magnitude: 8.6
Size: 40'' x 35''
Surface brightness: 5.4
Brightest star: 12.3
Classification: 4(3b)
Description: ! vB,lE 147,45" d,blue
Notes: H IV 27,Ghost of Jupiter
Observer: Iiro Sairanen
Location: Playa de las Americas, Tenerife, Spain
Date: 15/16.4.2004 0:50
Instrument: Newton 110/805 mm
Magnification: 214x	Filter: -
Field: 15'	Seeing: 3
Background sky: 4	NE lim mag: 5.5
Visuality: II	Height: 35°
Weather: +17°C, windy
Description: Bright planetary. Some ring structure was detachable. No central star visible.
Updated: 15.5.2004 12:09