NGC 6543-Cat's Eye Nebula: Planetary Nebula (Draco) RA: 17h 58.6m / DEC: +66° 38'.0 Instrument: 10-inch Starfinder |
NGC 6543 is presented in at left in a sketch rendering the view in my 10-inch Starfinder Newtonian at 247X. Commonly referred to as the Cat's Eye Nebula, this bright planetary has a photographic magnitude of 8.8, which suggests a visual mangitude of 8.0 or thereabouts. The nebula, elongated northeast-to-southwest across a 90"x60" area, presents an irregular oval shape to the eye. The nebulosity appears to bulge outward near the center. These extensions are slightly brighter than the inner nebulosity surrounding the 11.1 magnitude central star. The overall appearance hints at the cat-like similarity from which NGC 6543 earns it moniker. A 9th magnitude GSC star is visible 2'.7 to the northwest. |
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