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<STRONG><EM>LVAS,<BR> <BR>We have had quite a few communications over the past few weeks concerning the Crab Nebula. The intent of this report is to promote a desire to become a more skilled observer and record what you see.<BR> <BR>It is my sincere hope that all who read this observing analysis will find it both educational and rewarding.<BR> <BR>We will begin with quotes from some selected reference book sources. I will not list all of the information given, but only the most applicable portions related to the observational study of this object. <BR> <BR><FONT face="Courier New">Observing The Constellations </FONT>by John Sanford: The filaments which are so prominent in red light photographs are dim but detectable with a large telescope such as one with a 22-inch aperture.<BR> <BR><FONT face="Courier New">The Universe From Your Backyard </FONT>by David J. Eicher: A sketch by Eicher using a 17.5-inch f/4.5 reflector @ 71x does not show any stars within the nebula.<BR> <BR><FONT face="Courier New">The Messier Album </FONT>by John H. Mallas and Evered Kreimer: Observations were made between 1958 and 1962 using a 4-inch f/15 Unitron refractor. It is easily seen in the 10 x 40 finder. Visually, a haze seems to surround the brighter middle, and the color appears slightly greenish. An experienced observer may notice some streaks throughout the inner portion of the nebula, but they are extremely difficult to see. Mallas did an excellent sketch which resembled an elongated teardrop with a slightly curving tail. <BR> <BR><FONT face="Courier New">Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects </FONT>by Brian Skiff and Christian Luginbuhl: This is only a very small amount of the information given for this object.<BR> <BR>6 cm, broadly concentrated to the center elongated SE-NW. With a 15 cm the nebula is a moderately concentrated lenticular form extending to a 5' x 3' in pa 135°. With scrutiny the brighter portions give an "S" shape: the NE edge of the NW half and the SW edge of the SE half are brighter. In the 30 cm the "S" shape is quite distinct, and the whole nebula is very unevenly bright. A mag. 13.5 star is on the NE edge of the core; another of the same brightness is on the W edge. Two mag. 13.5-14 stars are embedded in the N arm, one of which is at the tip; two others are embedded fairly symmetrically in the S arm. Several other faint stars are involved. <BR> <BR><FONT face="Courier New">Celestial Harvest </FONT>by James Mullaney: As the preceeding book, this is only a very small amount of the information given for this object.<BR> <BR>Intricate irregularites...begin to appear in 10-inch and larger instruments (which) increase the mottled look. Lord Rosse regarded the filaments (which he said resembled the legs of a crab). Adding to the interest of this object is a tiny, neat close DS Struve 742 (7.2, 7.8, 4" sep.) lying just 1/2° West of M1. <BR> <BR>Fred Rayworth; Observer from Nevada: Fred supplied 29 observations from December 1984 through November 2007. As he sent an entire page on an excel spreadsheet I attempted to summarize the best I could. Fred, thank you for your interest in the project and your participation.<BR> <BR>8-inch f/9.4 using an Erfle eyepiece with four entries: Very faint, and circular.<BR> <BR>16-inch f/6.4 reflector; entries from March 1987 through November 2007: The "S" shape was evident. Very faint, but couldn't see the "S" shape on this night. Fairly bright and diffuse, and could see mottling in the nebula. Just a very soft glow tonight. <BR> <BR>Roger Ivester; Observer from North Carolina: Using my 10-inch f/4.5 equatorial reflector this object appears large and bright. It has an irregular shape shape, a soft grey color, and is brighter in the NW region. Elongated NE-SW, it is situated almost equally between two somewhat faint stars in alignment with the orientation of the nebula. It shows uneven texture with a dark streak crossing the SE part. The edges of the nebula are irregular and uneven, fading gradually outwards from the brighter middle. The NW side fades more abruptly than the SE part. The crab is best viewed at 100-125x as higher magnification does not improve the view or increase fine detail. I cannot see the "S" shape described by Skiff & Luginbuhl and Fred Rayworth of Nevada using a 16-inch. On an extraordinary night, January 20th 1996 while observing with Bob Eskridge in a dark location in the South Mountains approxiamately 35 minutes north of Boiling Springs NC. While observing through Bob's 14.5-inch reflector I saw a beautiful "shimmering" of faint stars with the nebula. I could see at least (4) faint stars embedded within the nebula...a first for me. I have been unable to see the stars since, as I have tried many times before and since with my 10-inch. With the 14.5-inch I could also see a curving tail. <BR> <BR>Rob Lambert Observer from Nevada: Rob uses a Mallincam system and hopefully will provide an image of his most recent imaging session. Thank you Rob...<BR> <BR>Dr. Don Olive; Observer and Astronomy and Physics at Gardner-Webb University and Director of the Williams Observatory in Boiling Springs, NC. Don provided an excellent image taken from New Mexico. I will forward this image with all relative details again. Thank you Don for participating in our observing project. <BR> <BR>Tom English: Observer and Astronomy and Physics at GTCC in Greensboro North Carolina - Tom has been unable to see the stars within the nebula from his relatively light polluted observatory site. I would like to thank Tom for all of his support and training that he gave me almost 20 years ago. I have become a better observer and amateur for your efforts. Thanks again and also thank you for participating in our observing project. <BR> </EM></STRONG><BR>
<STRONG><EM>Best regard to all...Roger Ivester<BR> <BR></EM></STRONG> <BR> <BR><BR> <BR><FONT face=Verdana size=4></FONT> <BR> <BR><FONT face=Verdana><EM><STRONG> I</STRONG> can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how he could look up into the heavens and say there is no God. Abraham Lincoln</EM></FONT><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR><BR>
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