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I read in a popular book that the Crescent Nebula in Cygnus (NGC 6888) requires a 17" Dob, and even then, is scarcely visible and "not worth the effort."

Expecting little, I set out to find it with my 12.5" Dob from my dark site (brown/black). In a matter of seconds I located it. Holy Mackerel! It was spectacular! An OIII filter gave me views comparable to the photos I've seen, with nearly the whole ellipse visible and masses of filamentary detail inside. I was mesmerized for many minutes by this wonder.

Then I turned to my 8" SCT. While dimmer and somewhat less detailed, the Crescent was still obvious and detailed. A terrific catch that the book told me I should just forget without massive aperture.

Just goes to show that what somebody said is never the last word.

-- Tim
Colorado

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Wonder what book that was? I have seen a little of the Crescent in my 100mm f/6 using the DGM Optics NPB filter, although it is considerably better seen in my 9.25 inch SCT using either the NPB or the OIII filters. Without a filter it can be a little hard to tease out of the sky background, but an 8 inch certainly should show at least a hint of it under a dark sky. Clear skies to you.

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David W. Knisely
Hyde Memorial Observatory
http://www.hydeobservatory.info
Prairie Astronomy Club
http://www.prairieastronomyclub.org

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