NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 281 = IC 11, which see. Also see IC 1590.

===== NGC 281 18" (2/16/07): remarkable view of this detailed emission nebula/cluster at 115x and 220x. Without a filter at 220x about three dozen stars are visible in the region of the nebula, including a number of faint stars. At the center of the cluster (IC 1590) and nebula (NGC 281) is the multiple star HD 5005 = Burnham 1, a striking triple with a difficult 4th component at 1.1". A 13" pair of mag 11.5 stars lie 0.9' SW of Burnham 1. The nebulosity responds dramatically to a UHC or OIII filter. The two brightest regions have a butterfly appearance with the two lobes or wings partially divided by a curving dust lane oriented roughly N-S. A fainter detached portion is on the southeast side. The overall dimensions extend to 15'-18'. The two lobes are fairly similar in size and surface brightness, though the following section is larger including the southern piece. The western section has the brightest and most sharply defined edge running along its southern border and oriented E-W. A long straight dust lane extends along the southern boundary of both lobes and defines the sharp edge on the western lobe. The curving central dust lane intrudes into the nebula on the south side and nearly divides the two sections, though weak nebulosity connects the two wings. 17.5" (9/28/02): the bright central quadruple (ADS 719 = Burnham 1) includes a mag 8.6/9.1/9.8 trio at 4" and 9". At 140x, a fainter companion (mag 10) at 1.54" separation is just visible close following the brightest member and is cleanly resolved at 324x. 17.5" (10/17/98): spectacular view of this detailed HII region at 100x using an OIII filter. This 15' nebulous complex has a mushroom appearance and is separated into three main lobes apparently by dust. The brightest and largest lobe is following a bright triple star embedded near the center (8.6/9.2/9.8 at 4" and 9"). There appears to be a much fainter detached piece off the south end of this lobe. Preceding the triple star is a section that is noticeably elongated and irregular in surface brightness fading to the NW. The section to the north is faintest and separated from the eastern lobe by a curving dark lane. A dark intrusion, apparently due to obscuring dust, is visible south of the triple star. 13" (8/24/84): very large, fascinating nebulosity, very irregular, dark gaps between sections, five brighter stars mag 8.6-12.5 involved. The brightest star is a very close double. 80mm (2/16/07): at 13x and a UHC filter, the PacMan nebula is easily visible surrounding the central star.