NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 3242 48" (4/18/15): In addition to structure previously noted, the sharply defined inner ring clearly has lower surface brightness extensions at the northwest and southeast end, creating an inner lens. The bulge on the northwest end is a bit larger and brighter, though the southeast end of the ring has a slightly brighter knot. Two galaxies are nearby. PGC 155202, 3.9' SSW of NGC 3242, is fairly faint, fairly small, slightly elongated NNW-SSE, 20"x15", very weak concentration. A mag 11.2 star lies 1.9' NE. PGC 155215, 3.4' SE of NGC 3242, is faint, small, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, 15"x12", low surface brightness. A mag 14 star lies 0.6' WNW and a mag 10 star is 2' E. 48" (2/18/12): at 814x, the multiple ring structure was remarkable. The small, dark central hole and bright central star is surrounded by an beautiful inner lens, elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~25"x15". This vivid turquoise lens is brighter at the ends of the major axis and bulges out with an extension on the northwest end. Surrounding the lens is a broader halo or shell with a rounder outline, ~45"x35" NW-SE. This shell has a distinctive light pink or salmon color. Highlighting the very edge of this shell is an extremely thin, slightly brighter greenish ring. A low surface brightness outer halo surrounds the planetary. 48" (4/1/11): stunning view at 488x with a high contrast, high surface brightness double ring structure and an outer third shell. The small inner lens has an electric turquoise color and is elongated 3:2 NW-SE, ~25"x15". At the southeast end of the major axis of the inner ring is a well-defined, bright knot. The irregular inner ring is also brighter and thicker along the northwest end, though not as bright or sharply defined as the southeast knot. The dim central portion is punctuated by the bright central star. The outer ring is rounder and extends ~45"x35" NW-SE, with the limb unevenly lit. The greenish color is not as intense in the outer ring. Between the two main rings the nebulosity has a pinkish hue. The main structure was surrounded by a low surface brightness outer halo, at least 1.5' diameter, which significantly increased the total size! 18" (4/9/05): at 435x, the double shell structure was prominent and exhibited filametary structure outside the inner ring. 17.5" (3/25/00): this beautiful PN has a very high surface brightness and a bluish color at 100x. The view at 280x-380x is stunning with a well-defined double shell structure. The bright, narrow inner ring is surrounded by a second fainter oval envelope. Inside the bright lens is a dark, 10" donut-hole with a faint central star marking the center. In moments of steady seeing, the inner ring has a hard-edge and the central star is easier. 17.5" (1/31/87): at 415x appears very bright, fairly small, bluish color, central star is visible. Prominent double lens structure with a bright inner lens surrounded by a second fainter elliptical shell. Stunning at high power with a striking "eye" appearance with a darker center. 13" (3/24/84): very bright, bright inner lens surrounded by a second fainter elliptical shell. At 350x there is a darker center to the inner lens and the central star is visible almost continuously.