--- Richard Tenney <retenney@yahoo.com> wrote:
Once upon a time the horsehead was considered one of the most difficult of the challenge objects for amateurs. But with the wide availability of H-Beta filters and big mirrored dobs, while still somewhat of a challenge it's certainly doable at least in scopes 12 inches or bigger under dark skies, though there are those with good eyes that have seen it in smaller scopes -- anyone on this list?
Yes. I once saw it with an 8" f/7 from Little Mountain in the mid-'70's. No filters in those days! My first impression was "how small!", since as Jim pointed out, most published photos, especially in those days, showed only the horses "head" and not much surrounding field. It reminded me of a thumbprint more than anything. It's also an indictment against light pollution. Little Mountain was never the best site, but 30 years ago it was MUCH darker there. One of the club's active observers at the time (anyone remember Steve Jacobs?) claimed that he once glimpsed it with a 6" Dynascope! Since it was on the very edge of detectability in the 8", I was a bit skeptical. Chuck __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! http://sbc.yahoo.com