NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 1535 48" (11/1/13): at 813x, this gorgeous planetary displayed an extremely bright, green double-shell structure. The 20" diameter inner ring was quite striking with slight irregularities in thickness and brightness and a very slight elongation. The darker interior of the inner ring is mottled with subtle darker and brighter patches around the mag 12.5 central star. The outer shell doubles the diameter and is slightly elongated ~N-S, 40"x35", with a mag 14.5-15 star superimposed on the NW side [16" from the central star]. With extended viewing there appeared to be subtle variations in brightness, almost like radial striations in the outer and inner shell. Similar view on 10/23/14. 24" (11/24/14): I didn't take notes, but at 500x a mag 14.5-15 star was faintly visible near the northwest edge of the outer shell [16" from center]. 18" (1/1/08): In good seeing at 565x the complex double shell structure of this gorgeous planetary was remarkable. The bright mag 12.5 central star is surrounded by a well-defined dark central hole with subtle mottling. This is surrounded by a striking, bright inner ring that is relatively narrow and sharply defined. The ring has a clumpy appearance, particularly on the north side and it dims slightly on the southeast side. This 20" diameter ring is encased within an outer shell of fainter nebulosity that doubles the diameter. Although the inner ring is round, this outer envelope is slightly elongated SSW-NNE. At 807x the view was stunning with brighter knots within the inner ring appearing to sparkle at times. 17.5" (12/30/99): this planetary has beautiful, bluish double-shell structure which was very evident at 100x surrounding a bright central star. The view at 380x and 500x was superb in good seeing. The double shell envelope was very prominent with a bright inner ring, ~20" diameter, with a fairly sharp edge embedded in a fainter roundish halo roughly doubling the diameter. The inner shell was irregularly darker surrounding the central star. 17.5" (2/8/91): very bright, fairly small, high surface brightness, mag 12.5 central star visible, blue color. This planetary has a double shell structure with inner shell slightly elongated and a faint rounder outer shell. Small dark gaps are visible around the central star. 13" (12/22/84): at 360x the central star visible surrounded by two shells. The bright inner shell has a small dark annulus surrounding the central star and the outer envelope is fainter and more diffuse. 8": bright, greenish, fairly small, round. 13x80mm finder (1/15/07): fairly bright stellar object at 13x in my 80mm finder and very easy to identify with blinking. Appears as a soft bluish star at 25x and definitely non-stellar at 32x and 54x.