This is a sketch I made on September 25th, 2011 of the Helix Nebula, NGC 7293. I remember making this sketch and was pleased with the outcome of it. I have always had a fascination with Planetary Nebula. I really enjoy viewing them. Now that my life's schedule has changed and I can get out to observe once or twice a month, I have decided to go after the Abell Catalog of Planetary Nebula using my 17.5 inch scope.  My blog will now capture that journey. I am also going to start a podcast that will document this and share my observations and insights from doing this. I will post a link to the Podcast after I get my first observing session done. I am hoping to do that this Wednesday, weather permitting. 

I look forward to observing more frequently now and spending time in all seasons out in the wilderness of Utah. 

Here are the resources I am going to be using: 

In the field: 

 

1. Sky Safari (lists the Abell planetary nebula in there and can center on them) 

2. Interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas (yes, still use paper atlas' as I find them comforting to use).

3. Reiner Vogel's Abell Planetary Nebula Guide (printed and in clear protective sheets) LINK 

4. Steve Gottlieb's Adventures in Deep Space: Complete Catalog LINK ; Abell Planetaries by Season LINK 

5. Sky.Org The Abell catalog of planetary nebula LINK 

6. Stathis Kafalis webpage LINK 

7. Uwe Glahn's website on the Abell Planetary Nebula LINK 

 

I will have to save for a couple of months to buy Alvin Huey's guide but will add that to the list in a few months. I think this will get me going. Now for the weather to cooperate! I love having a project to work on and I think this will be fun and challenging as I love to star hop and find the objects and I love finding challenging objects!