IC289
Hubble 1
PK 138+2.1
Cassiopeia
Planetary Nebula
RA 03h 10m 19.7s
DEC +61 19 01
Magnitude 13.2
Central Star Mag 15.9
Size 33.0”
When Jimi and I first discussed the requirements of an object to be selected as an OOTW, it became quite apparent early-on that an object had to fit certain criteria. Some rules are subjective. Others are required. In no particular order, an OOTW had to be:
- Visible - and no, I don’t mean “only visible in Jimi’s 48”. An OOTW had to be bright enough to be ideally seen in scopes around the 15-18” range. Anything dimmer would be more appropriate in the “Off the Beaten Path” forum. Although we encourage dim, challenging objects - after all, we want to push people limits - it doesn’t need to be M31. But it also can’t be G1.
- An object should be interesting. It should provide the reader with something of some intellectual value to be gleaned in the forum.
- An object had to be “in season”. No springtime galaxies in November posts for example. An object has to be up and visible during the week it is posted.
- An OOTW should be, but again doesn’t need to be, visually interesting. Again, we didn’t want every OOTW to be a bright Messier object. We wanted this forum to be a way to share new and unique objects that readers may have never heard about. A resource that observers can come to while compiling an observing list.
I hope my object this week checks off some of these boxes.
Located in Cassiopeia, IC 289 is a faint planetary nebula first discovered by Lewis Swift in 1888. IC 289 is a very challenging object. Although visible in scopes as small as 8”, you really need a good combination of dark skies, filters and bigger aperture to appreciate this object. Either way, this OOTW is a good challenge for anybody.
IC289 is best seen with filters, namely OIII, NPB or UHC. Be on the lookout for a slightly elongated but round 30” disk with brightening near its northwestern edge. The central star and the nebula’s ring structure can be seen but you’ll need a scope greater than 20” to see them with any certainty. As I mentioned, filters help with contrast but no matter the scope, this object will benefit greatly with averted vision.
One thing I couldn’t exactly ascertain was how IC 289 earned the moniker of Hubble 1. Nowhere was I able to find a concrete connection of this object with Hubble. Steve Gottlieb’s website “Astronomy Mall” implies that the Hubble may have claimed discovery of IC289 in error. Other than this, I wasn’t able to find anything else out. Does anyone have additional information?
So next time you’re out, give this object shot. It will definitely be a challenge but I urge you to
“Give it a go!”
IC289_Jacobs.jpeg
©Jacobs
IC289_Block.jpg
©Block
IC289_HST.jpg
©HST