NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 6720 48" (10/24/11): at 488x and 610x the central star was easily visible continuously in fair seeing. Using 287x and an NPB filter, a much fainter large outer halo was easily visible surrounding the main bright ring (86"x63"). It appeared much more circular than the ring and ~2.5' diameter (roughly doubling the size), so appeared to extended further out in the direction of the ring's minor axis. This outer shell was surprisingly evident and even displayed a slightly ragged or irregular edge. 28" (7/8/13): viewed the Ring Nebula at 658x using a 4mm ZAO and an "inverse OIII" or central star filter, which dramatically dimmed the nebulosity. The central star was visible most of the time once acquired, though quite dim. Surprisingly, a second interior star close northwest of the central star would occasionally pop and it was confirmed in the same position. Finally, a third star was seen embedded in the brighter portion of the rim on the NNW edge (along the minor axis), though often it looked like a quasi-stellar knot. In my 24" the central star was nearly continuous and the second interior star was highly suspected with the filter, although I didn't compare with the non-filtered view. 24" (5/25/14): observed M57 at 1000x (4.5mm Delos + 2x Powermate) in excellent seeing. The Ring itself was stunning with mottling, textured surface, and brightness variations across the ring clearly visible. The central star was very faint, but visible ~75% of the time (sometimes as a quasi-stellar brightening). Often, though, it was seen as a sharp stellar point. Overall, this was certainly one of the finest views of the Ring I've experienced. 18" (6/21/03): I took a look at the Ring Nebula at very high powers in steady seeing for the first time using my Starmaster w/Zambuto optics. With the 2.5x Powermate, I used 538x, 807x and finally 1087x! At 538x and 807x, the mag 15.7 central star flicked on and off several times, but only momentarily. At 1087x, the central star was visible more consistently, flickering on/off regularly and cleanly visible for a few seconds at a stretch. 17.5" (6/5/99): Viewed under very steady seeing at 380x. The halo is elongated 4:3 WSW-ENE and clearly brighter along the north and south sides (minor axis). The ends of the major axis are clearly "thinner" and slightly fainter at the following end. The interior has a pale gauzy appearance. The edge of the ring has a "wooly" appearance with a strong impression of small irregular wisps or filaments hinting at the extremely faint outer halo. The central star popped in and out of view a few times. A mag 13 star is close off the east side and a very faint mag 15.7 star is a similar distance off the west end. Another mag 15.6 star is 1' due south of center. At high power a 3" pair of mag 14-15 stars ~1.3' NNW of center are just resolved with a difficult mag 16.1 star ~30" further north. On 8/6/02 I didn't see the mag 16.6 star on the visual sequence chart. 17.5" (7/1/89): extremely faint central star visible for moments at 412x just east of center. The central star was held steadily for a few seconds at best with averted vision. Forms an unusual pair with the extremely faint galaxy IC 1296 4' NW. 13": very bright, moderately large, slightly elongated WSW-ENE, high surface brightness, best example of annularity although interior not dark. Slightly fainter at ends of major axis. Central star not seen. 6" (7/78): first view in a dark sky (Bryce Canyon), high surface brightness, ring-shape obvious, easily takes high power, slightly elongated. Visible in 8x50 finder as a faint "star". 15x50mm IS binoculars (6/19/09): fairly faint but clearly non-stellar, appearing as a very small but definite disc.