DARK Nebulae
1 x 1.5 degrees
Barnard 33 Alnitak Sigma Ori Flame
Dark dust clouds Emission Nebulae seen against a bright background
0.75 x 0.5 degrees The Running Man Reflection Nebulae
Milky Way
Background star field Bernes 142
What is a Dust Cloud? Very fine "smoke" size particles, < 1 um Less than 1000 particles per cubic centimetre Light years thick Produced in dying stars Carbon, Silicon, Iron, ice, gas, organic molecules Very cold, 10K Compressed by gravity and shock waves
E.E. Barnard Edward Emerson Barnard Pioneer Astrophotographer Famous visual astronomer Discovered many comets Barnard's Galaxy [NGC 6822] Amalthea - 5th moon of Jupiter Barnard's Star Barnard's catalogue of Dark Nebulae
Barnard's Catalogue Based on wide field photographs, 10 x 10 deg Purpose built 10" f/5 refractor Taken from Mt Wilson, 1905, LA, California Hand guided 2 to 5 hour exposures First published 1919, with 182 objects Final version, 1927, with 369 object North of 40 degrees south
PLATE 19 - North of Theta Ophiuchi
B72 B68 B69 B70 B74 B77 B255 B261 B76 HIP b Oph
Barnard 68
Barnard's E B142 Snake
M9
B63 B62 B72 Snake B68
M7 M6 M74 Parrots Head B86 - Ink Spot B289 B283
Barnard 86 - Ink Spot NGC6520 HIP88384
Barnard 87 - Parrots head HIP88677
M23 Lagoon Trifed M24 star cloud M17 Swan M16 Eagle B92 B93
Bernes 157
Bernes CrA DN NGC6723 NGC6727
The Emu
Carina Nebula Coal Sack Dark Doodad Circinus Dark cloud Bernes 145 Sandqvist 169
Dark Doodad - Musca
Sandqvist Circinus
Carina nebula 1 x 1.5 degrees
Keyhole and Loch Ness
Observing Dark Nebula Dark, Dry, Clear Sky Dark adaptation Wide Field - low power Dark nebulae stand out against large background Limit magnification to 1/4 aperture (mm) Larger apertures for smallest objects Binos for many objects
Seeing Dark Nebulae Many are hard to see Relax, take your time Study & enjoy the whole field Use averted vision Wait! Keep looking. Notice shape and extent of darkening Notice stars on edges and around the field Some are subtle variations in background
Finding Dark Nebulae Not in GOTO catalogues Become familiar with the area Naked eye Use binos Use charts Use photos Take photos! - wide field lens , stacked Use catalogues
Observing lists Astronomical League Dark Nebulae Program
Catalogues Barnard , to 40s, 369 objects Lynds , to 33s, 179 objects - Palomar sky survey Bernes , all sky, 160 objects - Palomar with Whiteoaks southern extension Sandqvist , South of 33s, objects - Palomar Whiteoaks southern extension Hartley 1986, South of 33s, 1101 objects - ESO-j UK Schmidt telescope survey
References Astronomical League Barnard , to 40s, 369 objects Lynds , to 33s, 179 objects Bernes , all sky, 160 objects Sandqvist , South of 33s, objects Hartley 1986, South of 33s, 1101 objects