NGC/IC Project Restoration Effort

===== NGC 7293 18" (11/13/07): superb view at 115x and OIII filter, slightly elongated WNW-ESE, ~14'x12' including a faint extension or filament on the west side. The bright rim is relatively thick and brightest along the north to NE side within the interior of the annulus (not at the very edge). A star is embedded at the west edge of this large, enhanced arc (due east of the mag 10.5 star just off the NW edge). The opposite SW rim is also enhanced in brightness and thicker. The rim is weakest and thinnest at the WNW end, but with averted vision this end bulges out due to a faint extension or large filament (second ring) that begins just south of the western side of the rim and extends north towards the mag 10.5 at the NW edge of the halo. 17.5" (10/2/99): gorgeous view at 100x and OIII filter. This huge, annular PN is 15'x12' in size and slightly elongated E-W due to an extension on the west side. The thick annulus is mottled and irregular with brighter regions along the N, NE and SW edge. The west side is slightly weaker but very faint extensions from the north and south side towards the west, cause the rim to bulge on this side (part of a second ring). The west edge of the halo more gradually blends into the background near a mag 11 star off the west side. At 220x without a filter about a dozen stars are superimposed. The mag 13.5 central star is easy along with a similar star a couple of arc minutes following. 13.1" (8/15/82): the "Helix" nebula is extremely large, about 15' diameter, clearly annular. Significant contrast gain with OIII filter permits observation even from the Bay Area. The fairly bright rim is non-uniform appearing brighter along the north side. About seven stars are superimposed including the mag 13.5 central star. Appears best at low power due to size and relative low surface brightness. Easy in the 80mm finder. 8" (10/4/80): huge annular planetary is fairly bright at low power using a Daystar 300 filter. The rim has an irregular surface brightness. 15x50 IS binoculars (8/27/11): easily visible in binoculars using a pair of narrowband filters.