|
NGC 2346 in Monoceros
Date of Obs ..... February 3, 2021 |
This object is the lone planetary nebula on the H400ii list for Monoceros. Unlike the other objects which are concentrated either in the horn, or southern reaches of the constellation, NGC 2346 is located in central Monoceros, just a smidge below the celestial equator. Star-hop to the object by beginning at δ Monocerotis, then move southwest to a pair of stars of uneven brightness that make a right triangle with a dimmer star to their south, then from there continue on to the location of the planetary, almost twice as far as the distance between the two stars at the top of the right triangle. I noted that it was not faint, but almost star-like at 76x. Bumping up the power to 123x and using the nebula filter brought it out better, but no structure was visible either way. I could tell that I was looking at a nebula because it appeared to be a star-like point with a nebulous haze around it. Under darker skies I might be able to see some detail with higher power and an OIII filter. |