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Here's a list of colorful nebulae from the Starrynights Yahoogroup.

Name Const. R.A. Dec. mv Notes
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NGC 6826 Cyg 19 44.8 +50° 31' 8.8 Blinking Nebula
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I recently had an interesting experience with NGC 6826. The view in the new 18-inch Obsession was quite unexpected. I've seen the blinking effect, where the nebula is visible with averted vision but disappears as the the central star switches on under direct scrutiny, many times in smaller scopes. In the 18-inch, there is more of a dissolving effect. Both the central star and nebula are visible with averted vision. With direct vision, both are initially visible and the nebula dissolves away over the course of a second or two.

It's similar to blowing a puff of air to fog a window and watching as the condensations evaporates from the outside-in. I was reminded of the scenes in LOTR where Frodo dissappears after putting on the ring.

Regards,

Bill in Flagstaff

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Bill,

I've noted the same phenomenon with NGC 6826 and several other planetaries that "blink".

Dave Mitsky

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Chance favors the prepared mind.
De gustibus non est disputandum.

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