Eskimo Nebula Sketch

Drawing of the Eskimo Nebula in Gemini from observation dated 5/1/03. The drawing was produced in Corel Photo-Paint from memory. At lower magnifications the nebula appeared to have a strong light bluish cast much brighter in the center. At higher magnification the nebula broke down into two distinct albeit fuzzy component circles with different apparent brightness and color hue. The star in the nebula was readily apparent with direct vision at magnifications over 255x. The image is a composite view of two different magnifications, each with direct and averted vision.

Observed the nebula at 255X and 350x using Tele Vue 11mm and 8mm Plossls on a Nexstar 11 GPS. The seeing was good - four out of six - with low frequency undulations. Transparency was below average, with intermittent high clouds. The detail was observed over a period of 20 minutes. Averted vision was used to bring out additional detail.