Unveiling the Veil - part II

The Veil Nebula really starts coming into its own as aperture increases.  With the 17.5” scope, the filamentary structures within the nebulosity begin to resolve.  Mottling, or variations in density of illumination, are easier to pick up.  And wispy, soft extensions of the ends of the nebulous cloud seem to keep extending on and on.

The Veil looked to be ablaze!  The filament structures give movement to it, as they twist and wind, streak and surge through the cloud.  The true bubble nature of the object begins to achieve a 3D look to it as the fainter and softer less dense material of the ‘inside’ of the ring starts to show itself with its own set of concentrations of material.  It really beings to show itself as the smoky bubble it is as the aftermath of the cataclysmic explosion that created it.

I am sure that it would be even more splendid when it is higher up in the sky.  I can only feel that this first look at the Veil is really just a tease of promise to what it can totally show – just like a veil serves to tease us with its haunting semi transparency…

I hope I have succeeded in giving a good depiction of this majestic structure.  I felt like an adolescent, with their quirky physical awkwardness, and handling a precious and mercurial gift, and not being sure just how to handle it.  The Veil really left me awestruck.

Alex.

Object:  Easter section of the Veil Nebula

Scope:  17.5” Karee push-pull dob

Gear:  23mm Celestron Axiom LX, 87X, & NPB filter

Date:  15^th August, 2015

Location:  Linville, Queensland, Australia

Media:  Soft pastel, charcoal & white ink on A4 size black paper

Duration:  Approx. 2.5 hrs.

Unveiling the Veil Nebula, Part I

Hello all,

This last week I attended the Queensland Astrofest, held outside the village of Linville, some two hours west of Brisbane.  We were blessed with cloudless skies, and with fantastic transparency.  The quality of the transparency meant that objects that objects much easier to see and with better clarity.  And for objects that are close to the northern horizon, this is very significant for us located under our southern skies.

I was armed to the teeth with telescopes this time around.  The heat I packed included a 17.5” f/4, a 12” f/5, and 8” f/4 – all push-pull dobs.  I considered my 4” refractor, but really, how many scopes does a man need…  LOL!

During the first night, I was pointed to the direction of the Veil nebula, which I had never seen, and in all honesty, had never considered as a plausible target from my southern location.  The first set of directions for the Veil Nebula proved to be a stunningly fortunate mistake.  In scanning for the Veil Nebula, I chanced upon the North America Nebula!  I was using my brand new 8” f/4 Kulali dob, which when coupled with an Explore Scientific 30mm 82° eyepiece, yields a sensational 3° True Field of View!  The entire North America nebula just managed to fit inside the field of view!  As tempted as I was to sketch it, and knowing that I would take around 2 hours to complete a sketch of it, I thought better of it as it would be disappearing behind some trees in around an hour’s time.

A better set of instructions was uttered to me to find the Veil, and then there was no mistak.

It was so bright and so detailed for an object very close to the northern horizon!  And it is so BIG!  The entire Veil circle just fit inside the True Field of View of this little scope.  The first sketch below depicts the view of the entire Veil as seen through this eyepiece/scope combination.

Again, the advantage of having a manual push-pull dob came into its own.  The amount of detail just kept getting richer and richer as the constant push-pull action keeps refreshing my vision and so allowing my eye to see fainter and fainter detail.  The remaining ‘gunsmoke-like’ of the cataclysmic supernova explosion is such an exquisite image.  Being so close to my northern horizon, the Veil must reveal so much more detail when it is viewed from a more favourable northern location.

It must also be kept in mind that the Veil Nebula sits smack bang in the middle of the band of the Milky Way galaxy.  The entire nebula is set upon a background carpet of the glow of the Milky Way.  A really exciting and exquisite view.

Object:  Veil Nebula, supernova remnant

Telescope:  8” f/4 Kulali push-pull dob

Gear:  Explore Scientific 30mm 82°, 3° TFOV, and NPB filter

Location:  Linville, Queensland, Australia

Date:  14^th August, 2015

Media:  Soft pastel, charcoal and white ink on A4 size black paper

Duration:  approx. 1.5hrs