In years past when I was back east in MA, I tried observing B161 in Cepheus, B78 (Pipe Nebula) in Oph. and B33 (Horsehead Nebula) in Orion (not detected in a 10" newt). Even with 10x50s, they wer'nt as spectacular as I thought they would be. I'll be trying them again from the much darker and transparent skies of NM and hopefully they will be more impressive.

I don't find this class of object mentioned hardly at all in the several astronomy forums I have visited recently so I'm wondering if anyone out there does look at these telescopically or with binos. If so, what are your comments on the ones you have observed and what were the sky conditions at the time as well as the instrument you used? Mr Q

Well, B33 is mentioned very frequently on astronomy fora that deal with observing, in particular by people who haven't had any luck in seeing it. I include quite a few dark nebulae in the deep-sky object lists that are part of my monthly astronomy calendars. Needless to say, very dark skies are necessary for viewing dark nebulae.

I've observed the Pipe Nebula many times using my unaided eyes, various binoculars, and small telescopes. To me, it looks best through giant binoculars.

I've seen the Horsehead Nebula through a number of telescopes, ranging from 13.1 to 36 inches in aperture,and on some rare occasions without using a hydrogen-beta or a narrowband filter. In my opinion, B33 is umimpressive in the extreme as seen through an eyepiece, even when viewed with 36 inches of aperture.

My favorite dark nebulae include the Pipe Nebula (B59, 65–67, and 78) in Ophiuchus, Barnard's E or the Triple Cave Nebula (B143-4) in Aquila, the Coal Sack in Crux, the Ink Spot (B86) in Sagittarius, the Snake Nebula (B72) in Ophiuchus, B168 in Cygnus, and the summer Milky Way's Great Rift.

Dave Mitsky

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