NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 6543 is the famous planetary near the north ecliptic pole. See IC 4677 for a bit more about it.

===== NGC 6543 48" (4/1/11): the extremely bright inner section [22"x19"] of the Cat's Eye was a vivid green color at 375x. But besides the bright central star I didn't take notes on the interior structure. A fairly faint (middle) halo was easily visible, extending ~1.4' diameter and dramatically increased the generally observed size. This halo had a well-defined periphery and was slightly elongated N-S or the border on the east and west sides were very slightly flattened. A very faint star is near the west edge. Surrounding the middle shell is a much larger and fainter outer halo that extends ~5' in diameter. IC 4677 appeared as a prominent, triangular or wedge-shaped knot with the vertex pointing east, situated 1.8' due west of center near the edge of this outer halo. It appeared much larger than previously seen, ~50"x30", and brighter along a well-defined, straight southern edge. The north side is brightest near the east end at the vertex. A 15th magnitude star lies 45" NE and a mag 9.8 star is 1.2' NW. A second fainter knot in the outer halo is located 2.6' ESE of center, just 30" N of a mag 14.5 star. This knot was only 15"-20" in size and had a low surface brightness. 18" (7/21/04): at 435x, it was fairly clear that there were two shells in the main body of different sizes and orientations creating a complex overlapping appearance. Surrounding the high surface brightness main body was a thin, very faint outer envelope (inner portion of the outer envelope). The central star was visible continuously. IC 4677 was easily visible at 160x using a UHC filter as a slightly elongated, low surface brightness glow 1.7' W of center of NGC 6543 and 1.5' SE of a mag 11 star which lies 2.7' WNW of NGC 6543. This shock-excited knot in the outer halo was elongated 3:2 SW-NE, roughly 20"x13". At 225x it was barely visible unfiltered, but could be held continuously at this power adding a UHC filter. 18" (6/21/03): remarkable view at 538x. The central star shone steadily in the center of what appeared to be two superimposed shells, offset in orientation by ~90 degrees. Interior filamentary or arc-like structure was highly suspected. 17.5" (6/11/88): viewed at 280x and 412x; the Cat's Eye nebula appears very bright, fairly small, oval SW-NE, blue-green color. Appears darker (annular) surrounding the mag 11 central star. The prominent visual portion is surrounded by a very faint oval outer envelope (386") which was not seen but includes the bright irregular knot IC 4677 1.7' W of center. NGC 6552 is located 10' following. IC 4677 was suspected at 220x without filtration close to a mag 15 star located 1' W of the planetary. Using a UHC filter, IC 4677 was clearly visible with averted vision as a very faint elongated patch, ~25"x15" oriented SW-NE. Requires averted for a good view but could hold steadily almost continuously. It was also visible at 140x with an OIII filter and 280x with the UHC, but 220x provided the best view. 13" (7/27/84): at 400x appears very bright, oval N-S, blue color, central star visible with averted. 8": bright, elongated, blue, high surface brightness.