NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 3587 48" (4/19/15): at 375x and 488x w/NPB filter; although the unfiltered view was excellent, adding a NPB filter at 488x ramped up the contrast! The two famous holes were very high contrast with the northwest eye slightly larger with a irregular outline. The slightly darker southeast eye has an easily visible star at the south edge [40" SSE of the central star]. In addition, a third very faint star (best seen unfiltered) is close west of this hole [37" SSE of center]. Overall the surface brightness of the planetary is irregular or mottled. It fades around the periphery creating a dimmer ragged circular rim of uneven brightness. The main bright portion of the planetary is slightly elongated NNW-SSE. 48" (4/15/10): the Owl Nebula was quite impressive at 330x (unfiltered) and exhibited a fascinating amount of detail. The mag 16 central star was easily visible at the center of the 3.4' disc. To the northwest and southeast of the central star are two large, darker "holes" (Owl's "eyes"), each roughly 45" in diameter. The southeast eye has a little more contrast and a very faint star is close to its southeast edge. The northwest eye is a little larger, though not quite as dark in the center. A mag 12 star lies 2.6' NE of center and a mag 14 star lies 3' S of center. MCG +09-19-014, a faint galaxy, lies 3.8' SSE adjacent to a mag 14.5 star. HCG 50 (faintest of the Hickson Compact Groups) lies 20' ESE. 24" (2/9/13): although I didn't take notes on the structure of M97, the mag 16 central was readily visible using magnifications of 200x and higher. 17.5" (3/12/88): both holes definitely visible at 280x using a UHC filter. 17.5" (2/28/87): fairly bright, very large, round. Two low contrast darker "holes" are visible with averted vision which form the "eyes" of the "Owl Nebula". The southeast hole is darker but the northwest hole appears larger. Central star not visible. 13" (4/29/84): moderately bright, large, round. A single hole west of center is highly suspected. 13.1" (2/25/84): darker "holes" visible near threshold, no central star at 166x-220x.