| Diffuse
Nebula
aka LBN 979 Integrated Visual Magnitude: ~9.5 Apparent Diameter: 2' Minimum requirements to view: 6-inch scope and dark skies |
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NGC
1999 is an amazing little find a few degrees south of the famous M42.
The nebula itself is quite bright, but very small. It is a reflection
nebula that surrounds the 10th magnitude variable star V380 Ori and is
only visible at high magnification. This object is almost unknown,
but I find it to be quite striking.
What makes NGC 1999 so memorable is the tiny, triangular-shaped dark nebula superimposed on it. This dark nebula is the very "obscure" Parsamian 34. Unfortunately, all too often observers fail to use enough magnification to see it. Be sure to use as much magnification as the conditions will permit; 300x should begin to reveal the dark patch. You may need to wait for a night of good steady seeing.
It isn't yet clear to me what minimum aperture is required to see the dark patch, although the nebula itself can be seen in telescopes as small as 6 inches.
The field in a 10-inch
f/4.5 at 75x. North is down and east is to the right.
My friend Kemer brought up this nebula in an email just before I went outside one night. I added it to my observing list at the last minute. He said it was one of his favorites. I have to say that I agree! It is now one of mine also. In my 18-inch at 94x it appears as nothing more than a "wet star", a roundish haze surrounding a 10th magnitude star, not unlike that seen when there is dew on the optics or moisture in the air.
At 430x a stunning sight
greeted me. The nebula is cleanly cut by a triangular dark patch.
The contrast is terrific. This one was definitely worth a look!
| Millennium
Star Atlas Vol I Chart 278
Sky Atlas 2000 Chart 11 Uranometria 2000 Vol II Chart 271 |
