NGC 7023 or Caldwell 4
By Rony De Laet
Here is an observation of an interesting nebula (aka Caldwell 4) in Cepheus. A nebula filter is of no help at all (and I tried ) because it’s a reflection nebula. I once was quite happy with the Baader Contrast Booster on this object, but this night no filter was able to enhance the view. The object was near zenith during the observation. The nebula kind of grows in the eye of the observer. First I see a halo around the central star (HD200775). Then with patience comes a bar of light running from N to S through the star. With a lot more patience and wiggling the scope, the nebula grows larger and reminds me of a face on galaxy with knots of nebulosity and dark lanes cutting the disk. A faint star is visible in the N part of the nebula.
Date : October 17, 2007
Time : 20.30UT
Scope : Skywatcher 102/500
Vixen LV Zoom at 8mm
Power : x63
FOV: 48′
Filter : None
Seeing : 3.5/5
Transp. : 3/5
Nelm : 5.3
Sketch Orientation : N up, W right.
Digital sketch made with PhotoPaint, based on a raw pencil sketch
Rony,
Very nice work on the faint details. I have seen this reflection nebula but not nearly as well as you. Excellent post.
Frank