Deepsky observing database
Last update 2007 April 19
Primary identifier: NGC 3918
Other identifiers: Blue Planetary, ESO 170-13, HD 102854, Hen 2-74, PN G294.6+04.7, ASA 047
Type: Planetary nebula
Magnitude: 8.4 V
Diameter: 12''
RA: 11h 50m 18s
Dec: –57° 10' 57''
Constellation: Cen
Charts: U2000 428, MSA 2:990, SA 25, Discover 02, 04
Visibility: Feb-Sep
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 seen as a classic oval blue-green disk, resembling the larger version of the planet Uranus. It has a small diameter, which means that higher magnification is required. High surface brightness. It takes up a great challenge to find this tiny object against a more distant background of bright stars. By using high magnification (140x), the edge of this blue-green disk appears strongly defined. At lower magnification (56x), this tiny disk appears as an out focus star, that is not resolvable. (Recorded 2007 April 15, 02:00)
Keywords: Astronomy, deepsky observing, Deepsky Observers Companion, DOC, observation database
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