NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 2818 17.5" (3/25/00): NGC 2818 refers to both an open cluster and a superimposed planetary nebula (identified as NGC 2818A in the RNGC). The moderately bright PN is nestled on the west side of a faint but fairly rich open cluster. At 220x it appears moderately bright, irregularly shaped, ~1.0'x0.8' and elongated roughly N-S. Excellent view at 280x with a UHC filter and unfiltered at 380x. The rim is irregularly brighter giving a weak annular appearance. Appears brightest at the south and southwest rim. The center is slightly darker but there is no well-defined central hole. The outline is not crisp and seems to change orientation somewhat with averted vision. 13.1" (4/10/86): the cluster appears as a faint group of 25-30 stars mag 12 to 15, over unresolved haze, though good seeing might resolve more. Includes a fairly faint planetary (NGC 2818A) on the west side. At 166x using a Daystar 300 filter, the planetary appeared moderately bright and large, elongated ~N-S. Also responds well to an OIII filter at 79x. 13.1 (1/28/84): the cluster is a faint group of two dozen stars mag 12 and fainter. The planetary on the west side of the cluster is a pretty sight using a UHC filiter at 79x. It appeared fairly faint, moderately large, 1.0'x0.8', elongated N-S or SSW-NNE. The planetary had been assumed to be the only one to be physically associated with an open cluster, although recent research firmly places the planetary in the foreground.