Hello DSF,
I learned about the planetary nebula WeBo 1 through a Facebook post by astrophotographer Anis Abdul of Austin, TX. It was in his photograph of the Heart and Soul region (so many interesting things there!). Apparently, it was discovered in 2002 by Ronald F Webbink on the DSS plates, and followed up by Howard E Bond in H-alpha and OIII, confirming that it is a planetary nebula. Discovery paper: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1086/344809
Photographically, it looks really damn cool!
https://planetary.s3.amazonaws.com/w...1205_webo1.jpg
[not sure where this picture is from, but it was shared by Anis]
I tried looking at it with my 18" three nights ago. I had poor seeing, good darkness, and moderately good transparency. I would say the conditions accounted for a "good Bortle 2, but not quite a Bortle 1" sky. I count this as a negative observation; here is what my logbook says:
"Negative. Unfiltered, there was an elongated glow around the central star, but it could just be starglow from the tight double. It was impossible to distinguish from the starglow [whether or not there was real nebulosity]. Did not respond strongly to UHC or OIII"
I certainly did not see a circular halo like you see on the POSS II. However, judging by the POSS II blue plate, it certainly seems to be within the reach of some of the larger dobs owned by this forum's members. Has anyone viewed this planetary? I'm curious to read your observations!
Clear Skies!
