NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 6853 18" (8/23/03): breathtaking view at 215x; with the fainter but larger outer lobes increasing the dimensions to nearly 7.5'x6' and the ends of the major axis (southeast and northwest) appear to open up and bulge out further. With careful viewing, ~10 superimposed stars can be counted including the easy mag 14 central star. 17.5" (6/15/91): very bright, very large, 7'x6', bright dumbbell lobes are oriented SSW-NNE. The SSW lobe is brighter with a bright outer rim. Large fainter sweeping side lobes fill in the dumbbell and reverse the major axis to WNW-ESE. The planetary has an irregular surface brightness with a darker center. At high power 5 or 6 stars are superimposed including the easy mag 13.8 central star. Overall, this is the most impressive planetary. 8" (9/25/81): central star visible at 200x. The fainter side lobes are prominent. 15x50 IS binoculars (multiple dates): easily the most prominent planetary visible in binoculars.