Observation by Grant Privett: Hubble's Variable Nebula

Uploaded by

Grant Privett

Observer

Grant Privett

Observed

2023 Nov 25 - 02:00

Uploaded

2023 Nov 25 - 18:53

Objects

Hubble's Variable Nebula (NGC2261)

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Constellation

Monoceros

Field centre

RA: 06^h39^m
Dec: +08°45'
Position angle: +3°36'

Field size

0°13' × 0°10'

Equipment

300mm VX12 f/4 Newtonian
SW NEQ6+Rowan
SX Trius 694

Exposure

120x 30s x2bin

Location

Near Salisbury

Target name

NGC2261

Title

Hubble's Variable Nebula

About this image

NGC2261 is a bright and well studied variable nebula thats always worth imaging - its just so pretty!

I was curious to see if the recently reported absence of a counter jet from it was still true and yes, it is. Not a thing there. The small patch of nebula near the jet's location was there, but is faint which is no surprise as the Moon was still up, afterall.

But will image it again sometime, when the Moon is out the way, in case that nebula is fading as well.

It was getting chilly by the time I took this. I did my years (decades actually) at the eyepiece and feel no shame in saying that I imaged it solely. Shame theres no rotation mechanism for a early version Pulsar dome. But I probably need the exercise of going out every 30 minutes to rotate the dome.

Files associated with this observation

ngc2261_20231125.jpg (511.1 kB)

Like this image

Callum Potter, Hugh Allen, Peter Mulligan, Mike Foulkes, Nick Hewitt

Comments

Mazin Younis, 2023 Nov 27 - 23:57 UTC

Hi Grant, my image uploaded 20th Nov may be showing a faint "counter jet", I didn't know what it was till you mentioned it:

https://britastro.org/observations/observation.php?id=20231120_144620_e155e50744e7f16e

Grant Privett, 2023 Nov 30 - 01:51 UTC

Hi there,

The tail would, on your picture been fairly straight and below the small patch of nebula you detected.

I got it a couple of times, years ago with a 10" from Hereford so the fact I didn't get anything with an hours worth of data on the 12", was suggestive.

Mazin Younis

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