NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 6309 24" (8/13/15): this very bright, bipolar, compact planetary was viewed at 375x and 500x. The two lobes are extended at least 3:2 NNW-SSE with an overall size of ~25"x16" and create a pear shape. A bright, roundish lobe is on the NNW side and a 12th magnitude star is off this side in the direction of the major axis [22" from center]. The smaller lobe on the SSE end is slightly fainter and separated by a small darker gap near the center. A mag 15 star is just off the west edge [14" from center]. An extremely faint outer shell or extension was just visible, bulging out on the east side perhaps 10", and creating an asymmetric appearance. 24" (7/16/15): excellent view at 450x unfiltered. The larger and brighter lobe on the north-northwest end appeared roughly circular and slightly brighter along the outer rim. The smaller knot on the south-southeast end is slightly irregular and the nebulosity dims near the center. A mag 12 star is just north of the north-northwest end. 18" (7/22/06): superb view at 807x! This bipolar elongated planetary appears pear-shaped with the brighter, larger lobe on the north-northwest end and a smaller, slightly fainter nodule on the south-southeast end. The nebulosity dims between the lobes but there appears to be a very small bridge of faint haze bridging the knots. 18" (7/20/06): at 325x this bi-lobed planetary is striking with a mag 12 star situated just off the northwest edge. The PN is elongated 2:1 NNW-SSE in the direction of the neighboring star. At the north-northwest end is the larger and brighter lobe with a smaller, fainter condensation forming the south-southeast end. A very faint irregular halo encases the entire structure. In moments of better seeing (overall the seeing was poor), the lobes were nearly resolved. 17.5" (6/30/00): at 280x using a UHC filter, this bright but compact PN was elongated 2:1 in the direction of a 12th magnitude star at the NNW edge, with dimensions of ~25"x12". There is a large, bright lobe or condensation at the north end with a smaller, fainter knot at the SSE end. At moments the lobes appear completely "resolved" with a darker gap in the center. The view at 500x was excellent! The fainter southern lobe appears elongated and slightly offset from the major axis of the PN. The lobes are bisected by a darker lane oriented SW-NE and oblique to the minor axis. The brighter knot at the north end has a mottled appearance and irregular shape. 13" (7/27/84): moderately bright, small, elongated NNW-SSE. A mag 12 star is at the NNW edge 20" from the center. Appears slightly brighter or a condensation is at the SSE end.