NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 7009 48" (10/29/16): the remarkable Saturn Nebula was viewed at 1084x. The intense, inner "ring" is very elongated (~25"x10") with an unusual warped appearance. The inner ring is brighter on the west end. The rounder shell extends ~30"x25", slightly elongated WSW-ENE and contains an obvious "knot" on the north side of the shell. The ansae ("handles" at the end of the jets) varied in size and orientation, with the western ansae larger, brighter and angled outward on the north end. The central star was easily visible. 48" (10/24/14): at 610x; the western ansae or "handle" at the end of the jet appeared as a small, narrow bar, roughly perpendicular to the extension, but slightly tilted, so the north end was pointing outward (west). The eastern ansae was much smaller but with careful viewing was slightly elongated and tilted in a mirrored orientation. Also, a very small, low contrast knot was noted on the north end of the outer shell. Otherwise, the details mentioned in the observation from last November were all noted. 48" (11/1/13): the double-shell structure was fascinating at 813x. The bright, inner ring was surprisingly elongated WSW-ENE, ~30"x10", with an irregular surface brightness and uneven thickness. The inner darker hole was also elongated, extending nearly the length of the nebula and was punctuated by a fairly easy central star. This annulus is encased in a rounder, outer shell, ~30"x25" diameter, with a slightly irregular rim (brighter at the north edge). Extending from the main body were the two easily visible "jets" extending WSW-ENE with prominent "ansae" (handles) at each tip [separation 44"] with the western tip slightly brighter. The color was generally greenish, though the outer halo had a salmon-colored tinge. 24" (7/25/14): viewed at 1000x in good seeing at Lassen National Park (elevation 8200 ft). The intense, inner annulus is 30"x18" with a bright, moderately thick green rim and darker center. The central star was nearly visible steadily within the darker center. The oval annulus was slightly irregular in surface brightness. It was surrounded by a rounder, fainter envelope, which varied slightly in brightness, particularly on the north side, which contained a noticeable knot. The fairly narrow jets were readily visible, though brighter on the west side. An obvious knot ("ansa") that was slightly elongated was visible at the tip of the western jet. The eastern extension only had a weak brightening at the tip. 18" (7/28/03): Viewed at 1087x in very good seeing. The 30" brighter inner oval is elongated WSW-ENE and has a noticeable irregular surface brightness (first time this was noted) with a brighter, thick rim and darker center (partially annular). Surrounding the high surface oval is a fainter, outer shell although interestingly, the transition appeared more gradual than at lower power. The extensions or jets were easily visible with very small knots ("ansae") occasionally visible at the tips. 17.5" (8/10/91): extremely bright, fairly small, very high surface brightness, blue-green color, about 30" diameter to the main oval body. At 412x, the two famous extensions or "jets" are easily visible extending WSW-ENE from the oval disc using direct vision. The western extension is brighter and a very small knot (ansae) is visible at moments with concentration at the tip of the west extension. A faint outer shell surrounds the bright disc. Numerous additional observations made since 9/14/85. 13" (9/3/83): similar view to 17.5", but the eastern extension is more difficult to view. 8" (10/13/81): bright, small, blue-green, high surface brightness. Rays extending outward are suspected, particularly on the western side in excellent seeing at 200x.