I finally had an opportunity to observe the Boomerang Nebula after it was listed by Jim Chandler as an OOTW more than 4 years ago. This protoplanetary is famous for being only 1 degree above absolute zero -- at the OzSky Star Party last week in Coonabarabran, Australia! I actually observed it on two nights with both 14.5" and 18" f/4.5 scopes, but not the large 25" or 30". As this object shines by reflected light, no filter was used. It was fun to observe a celestial boomerang in Australia.
14.5" (4/3/16 - Coonabarabran, 238x): the Boomerang Nebula (protoplanetary) was easily picked up as a fairly bright, quasi-stellar glow (central star) with small faint "wings" extending north and south (no obvious "flaring"). The south wing appeared brighter and larger and the total size was roughly 25"x8". A mag 9.8 star lies 2.3' SW
18" (4/4/16 - Coonabarabran, 296x): more structure was seen through the 18" with the central star easier to pick out within an elongated, high surface brightness haze. The south lobe or cone was clearly brighter and larger and flared out towards the south, dimming near the end. The north extension was small and less prominent. The dimensions were estimated as ~30"x10" (at south end). Located 13' NW of mag 6.7 HD 110924.
Reply With Quote