New southern Observing guide

[Marko]

No central star for me either in 12" for 3918

NGC 3918 Type: Plan Position: 11 50 18.1 -57 10 58 Con: Cen
Date: 03/17/10 Time: 00:10 Site: Arkaroola
Scope: 12DobF5 Eyepiece: 7mmNag Power: 220
NELM: 6.7 SQM: 21.70 Seeing: 5 Transparency: 4
Description: 'BluePlanetary: NoFilter 30 asec dia Solid disk. Slightly
fuzzy disk edges. No central star seen. Not seeing central star.
Orange star nearby that is certainly orange. This did look
blue compared to slightly yellow stars but not in a very obvious
way, only subtle. '

[Tony B]

Mark - O'Meara's book suggested a large scope and high power to dim the surface brightness of the planetary which otherwise overpowered the central star - but did not specify how big a scope or how much magnification, so next time I will use the biggest scope I can get at, 25 or 30, and as much magnification as the seeing will allow. Similar with splitting Beta Centauri which I have not managed yet. Hope we get you roaming the southern deep skies some time. We have had San Francisco amateur Bob Douglas observe with us on four trips.