NGC 3242, Ghost of Jupiter

Primary identifier: NGC 3242
Other identifiers: Ghost of Jupiter, Cat's Eye, ESO 568-5, HD 90255, PN G261.0+32.0, SAO 155965, ASA 039, Ben 45
Type: Planetary nebula
Magnitude: 8.6 V
Diameter: 16''

RA: 10h 24m 46s
Dec: –18° 38' 33''
Constellation: Hydra
Charts: U2000 325, MSA 2:851, SA 20, Discover 17
Visibility: Feb-Jul

Observer: Richard Ford

Date: 2007 April 14/15 (Sat/Sun)
Location: Cape Town (Fairview Dairy Farm, Conterman's Kloof)
Instrument: 8-inch f/7 (Dobsonian)

Sky conditions: The sky overhead is still dark but with a brightened horizon. Atmosphere is stable and temporary turbulence might be observed. Naked-eye limiting magnitude = 4.5

Description: It is described as a devoid oval shape, which strongly resembles the planet Uranus. It is relatively bright object in the constellation of Hydra. High surface brightness. It can be seen both in moderately light polluted skies and dark country skies. To discern detail of this object, high magnification is required. This object is seen in an 8-inch reflector, using high magnification (140x), as a pale green structure, with the edges very sharply defined. In lower magnification (56x), it appears as an out of focus star. Its structure more looks like a mottled snowball. (Recorded 2007 April 14, 22:15)