A recent article in S&T magazine talked about the Horsehead Nebula. I never bothered to look for it since I thought one needed at least a 12" telescope, but the article mentions people who reported seeing it with a 5" scope. Since I know that I have extremely good eyesight, I thought I might try to find a dark sky site and look for it some day soon. I have a 5" newtonian and in my garage is an unfinished 8" scope that I started building several years ago. How dark should the sky be in order to have a chance to see it? Should I not even try until I finish my 8" scope? For those of you who have seen it, what size scope did you use and how dark was the sky?

Thanx in advance.

__________________
Time flies like an arrow.
Fruit flies like a banana.

My understanding is that with a 5" Newtonian and good H-beta filter, it can be seen from the Space Station

__________________
PW -- Plant Whisperer

I've seen it once, with my C-8. Just barely visible though.

__________________
I'm not a scientist, but I play one on the internet.
http://www.rrac.org

Basically you'd want to do it during the new moon, or quarter moon phase, on a night without any clouds. The darker the better, but as long as you're outside the city, you should be able to see it.