| NGC 1501 | ||
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 Walter
Scott Houston claimed that this planetary nebula was "easy and bright
even in small telescopes." So don't be fooled by the
magnitude of 13.3 typically listed. In fact it is perhaps as bright
as 11th magnitude. The central star is a Wolf-Rayet variable and can be glimpsed in an
8-inch scope.
A UHC or OIII filter can enhance the view, although they are not necessary. In moderate apertures this nebula appears like a rounder version of the famous ring nebula. I observed NGC 1501 in November 1999 with my 18-inch. I noted that at 94x the nebula was obviously non-stellar. At 166x hints of a darker center appeared along with the central star. The best view was at 430x where I logged; "Very nice. Bright central star surrounded by round bubble."
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