BAA member David Boyd, using a 0.35m SCT with SXVR-H9 CCD camera, reports that Gyulbudaghian’s Variable Nebula, which is associated with the young Herbig Ae star PV Cephei, is currently brighter than he has observed it at any time over the last 3 years.

[Images from David Boyd - The picture shows two images of the star and nebula, the result of 30 mins of exposure on 2012 March 28 (left) and 20 mins exposure on 2012 December 5 (right), both taken using a 0.35-m SCT with a SXVR-H9 CCD camera and a Rc filter.]

The Deep Sky Section has a programme to monitor this fan shaped nebula in an attempt to correlate changes in shape and brightness with its associated star.  If you would like to get involved in this programme, or if you have been involved in the past and were disappointed at continually observing what appeared to be blank sky, now is the time to start monitoring again. PV Cephei is located at RA 20:45:54 & Dec +67:57:39.

If you are interested in imaging the nebula on a regular basis (say monthly, or weekly if possible as it can change in appearance quite rapidly) please ensure you use identical equipment and exposure each time so that any recorded change in appearance is due to a real change in the nebula and not to changes in exposure details.  The monitoring programme is being coordinated by Grant Privett ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).  Please send images in FITS format to Grant with a JPG copy to myself ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) for the Section archive.  The nebula is notoriously difficult for visual observers, but owners of large Dobsonians who relish a challenge may be interested in trying for it in its current bright state.

Stewart Moore
Deep Sky Section Director
2012 Dec. 10

The section meeting in 2013 will take place on March 2nd at Shurdington Social Centre, Nr Cheltenham and is being hosted by Cotswold Astronomical Society.

Everyone welcome. Entrance £10 (to include buffet lunch) payable at the door.
No need to book in advance. All talks subject to possible change.

Exhibition of deep sky material by Section members is encouraged (bring your own display
boards).

The BAA and The Webb Deep Sky Society hope to have sales stands at the meeting.

Speakers:

Stewart Moore	Nick Hewitt	Gary Poyner	Paul Curtis	Martin Lewis	Grant Privett	Phil Marshall

Provisional Programme

09.30    Coffee
10.00 - 10.45    Welcome and Review of the Section year - Stewart Moore
10.45 - 11.30    Barnard, Gordon and the Darkness - Nick Hewitt
11.30 - 12.15    Deep Sky Imaging & Processing Using a Modified DSLR - Paul Curtis
12.15 - 12.45    RR Tau and Nebula Project - Gary Poyner

12.45    Buffet Lunch

14.30 - 15.15    Eye and Pencil - Martin Lewis
15.15 - 16.00    Deep Sky Imaging on the Cheap - Grant Privett

16.00    Tea

16.30 - 17.30     Cosmic Telescopes - Dr. Phil Marshall, Department of Physics (Astrophysics), University of Oxford
17.30    Meeting round up - Stewart Moore