Messier 1

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supernova remnant
Messier 1 (catalog)
Crab Nebula, Taurus A •NGC 1952 •LBN 833 •[1]


Position (epoch J2000)[1]
Constellation Taurus
Position Ra 05:34:31.9
Dec +22:00:52
DSS images

10' · 20' · 30' · 45' · 1°

Appearance[1][2]
Messier 1 by André Hartmann.jpg
Photo by André Hartmann, RC-203/1624, 29 November 2011, Bischofsreut, Bavarian Forest
Messier 1 by Vedran Vrhovac.jpg
Sketch by Vedran Vrhovac, 200/1200 Dobson, 114, 10.5 mm Hyperion, FOV:36 ', 15 November 2006, LM: 5.4
Apparent mag. 8.4
Central star mag. 16.5
Surface brightness
Size 6' x 4'
Position angle
Class 2:03:03
Dreyer's description  vB vL E 135° ± vglbM r


Other
Notes
List:Supernova remnants in Taurus
Map: RA 5.625, DEC 18.75 • Edit this infobox

Messier 1 (Crab Nebula) is a supernova remnant in Taurus.

Contents

[edit] How to find it

[edit] Appearance

Messier 1 is situated in a rather dense star field.

[edit] Telescopes up to 70mm, binoculars up to 50 mm, and finders

The nebula is easily recognised as a non-stellar object even in 5x24 finders [70mm 1] or any other small instrument.[70mm 2][70mm 3]

Hardly any details are visible[70mm 2], but some reported central brightening and elongation in NE-SW direction with 60mm refractor [70mm 4], or irregularity in appearance, even at 20x.[70mm 5]

References
  1. ↑ Messier 1 observation by Jaakko Saloranta with finder 5x24  include this report
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Messier 1 observation by Jay Reynolds Freeman with 50, 55, 60, 63 and 70 mm refractors 7x50, 10x50, 10x70 and 14x70 binoculars  include this report
  3. ↑ Messier 1 observation by Sue French with 15x45 IS binox  include this report
  4. ↑ D-M000 Allgemeines Gebotszeichen (DIN 4844-2).svg"Observing Handbook and Catalogue of Deep-Sky Objects", Christian B. Luginbuhl and Brian A. Skiff, Cambridge Press 1989
  5. ↑ Messier 1 observation by David W. Knisely with 60mm spotting scope, 20x  include this report

More reports:

[edit] Telescopes 71mm - 100mm (2.8" - 3.9"), binoculars 51mm - 70mm

At low power (25x-31x), in 75- to 80-mm refractor, or in 12x60 binoculars, M 1 is easily seen with direct vision as a oblong, small, (very) faint, diffuse oval patch of light, with no discernible details. With averted vision, it might appear brighter[234mm 1][100mm 1] and, under good conditions, even show some variations in brightness near the edge. [100mm 2][100mm 3]

Recognising some shape might require up to 65x[100mm 4], hint of characteristic "S" shape up to 125x, but seeing any texture requires even higher power and/or higher aperture.[100mm 5]

References
  1. ↑

    x.astrogeek.org , Jeff Burton , Celestron Wide View 80mm Refractor , 25x , October 24, 2003 , Pennyrile State Park, KY, USA , LM: 6.13 , seeing: Antoniadi: II/III

  2. ↑ x.astrogeek.org , Jeff Burton , Orion Little Giant II 20x70mm Binoculars , February 10, 2002 , Golden Pond Observatory, KY, USA , LM: 6.0 , seeing: 7/10
  3. ↑ x.astrogeek.org , Jeff Burton , Oberwerk FMC Mini-Giant 12x60mm Binoculars , 12x , January 16, 2009 , Columbine Drive, Dunlap, IL, USA , LM: 5.2 , seeing: Antoniadi: II
  4. ↑ (IAAC) M1 , Brad DeMille , Meade ETX 3.5" Mak , 66x , filter(s): none , 3/29/98 , Ivins, Utah (Lat 37.4, Elev 3200) , seeing: 8/10
  5. ↑ (IAAC) M 1 , Adam Albino , 80mm f/10 Mak, 8" SCT , 125x, 39x, 69x, 125x, 250x , 97/12/20 , Norwell, MA (25 miles S of Boston) , LM: 6.0 , seeing: 6/10

More reports:

[edit] Telescopes 101mm - 141mm (4" - 5.5"), binoculars 71mm - 100mm

In 15x70 binos or 4" to 4.5" refractor, even at small power (15x), the nebula is easily recognised as a small round nebulosity[141mm 1][141mm 2], even under 4.5-mag skies[141mm 3]

Its irregular shape and NE-SE elognation can be noticed at 30x or less.[141mm 4][141mm 5]

Brighter center is starting to be visible at magnification below 60x, while the nebulosity spans some 5'.[141mm 6][141mm 4]

Dark lanes were reportedly seen at magnification of 54x[141mm 7] and higher, dividing the nebula at 4 pieces (at 80x)[141mm 4]

Higher magnification might reveal more complex shape of nebula[141mm 8], but going over 100x propably won't bring any more details. With increasing power, nebula is becoming dimmer, but still can be seen at 220x.[141mm 4]

References
  1. ↑ Sketch included! Messier 1 observation and sketch by Rony De Laet with TS Marine 15x70 binoculars
  2. ↑ (IAAC) Obj: M1 NGC 1952 Crab Nebula - Inst: Astroscan 4.1" f440mm Widefield by Martin Baur
  3. ↑ (hr)Messier 1 with 4.5" (114mm) f/8 homemade dobson (babydob) by Ante Perković (SEEN, Feb 08 2004, LM=4.5)
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 (IAAC) Obj: M1 - Inst: TV-102 (102mm f/8.6 APO refractor) by Ron Bee
  5. ↑ (hr)Messier 1 with 4.5" (114mm) f/8 homemade dobson (babydob) by Ante Perković (SEEN, Nov 02 2003, LM=5.5)
  6. ↑ (hr)Messier 1 with 4.5" (114mm) f/10 dobson homemade (by Beri) by Ante Perković (SEEN, Jan 05 2005Altitude missing, LM=6)
  7. ↑ x.astrogeek.org , Jeff Burton , Meade DS-114EC 114mm Reflector , 54x , January 16, 2009 , Golden Pond Observatory, KY, USA , LM: 6.0
  8. ↑ Sketch included! Messier 1 observation and sketch by Iiro Sairanen with TAL-1 Newton 110/805mm

More reports:

[edit] Telescopes 141mm - 177mm (5.6" - 6.9")

In 6" telescopes, in very good conditions, averted vision might help you see some more details like streaks emanating from the center of the diffusion[177mm 1] or "feathery" edges[max 1]. The nebula apears elongated 1.8x1[max 1], with PA 130°[177mm 2].

References
  1. ↑

    x.astrogeek.org , Jeff Burton , Orion SkyView Pro 6LT 150mm Reflector , 55x , March 31, 2003 , Paducah, KY, USA , LM: 6.0 , seeing: Antoniadi: II

  2. ↑ Sketch included! Messier 1 observation and sketch by Jere Kahanpää with Reflector 150/2063

More reports:

[edit] Telescopes 178mm - 234mm (7" - 9.2")

With 8" telescope, it is reportedly[234mm 2] seen under 4-mag skies as a "oval, grey blob". In better conditions, 8" will show pretty bright nebula, elongated in N-S direction, with brighter center[234mm 3] Higher power might show variations of brightness throughout the surface and along the edges.[234mm 1]

At 80x, "S" shape is visible, together with some hints of thin filaments.[234mm 4]

Hight power (170x) and UHC can bring a lot more details to an experienced observer, most notably many spots around the edge of the "S", that could be either unrelated stars or knots.[234mm 4]

It can show subtle shade of blue.[234mm 3]

References
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1

    x.astrogeek.org , Jeff Burton , Celestron Wide View 80mm Refractor, Meade LX200GPS 203mm SCT , 25x, 91x , October 14, 2004 , Pennyrile State Park, KY, USA , LM: 6.25 , seeing: Antoniadi: II

  2. ↑ (IAAC) M 1 , William L. Schart , Celestar 8" SCT, fork mount , 80x , filter(s): none, ultrablock , 1/6/02 , Killeen, Texas, USA (Lat 31 07, Elev 600 ft) , LM: 4.0
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 (IAAC) M 1 , Tudorica Alexandru , 20 cm, f/6, dobsonian , 40x , filter(s): none , Aug 02/03 2005 , Ghirdoveni, Romania (Lat +44, Elev 260 m) , LM: 6.0 , seeing: 6/10
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 (IAAC) M 1 , Lew Gramer , 8" f/10 SCT on fork , 80x, 170x , filter(s): none, UHC , 1998-01-22/23 , ATMoB Clubhouse, Westford, MA, USA (Lat 43N, Elev 146m) , LM: 5.7 , seeing: 4/10

More reports:

[edit] Telescopes 235mm - 305mm (9.25" - 12")

References

More reports:

[edit] Telescopes above 12"

In 13" to 14.5" telescopes, at 150x and higher, nebula's structure is easily visible. Details than can be observed include mottling and ragged edges[max 2], very obvious irregular edge of the halo[max 3][max 4], filaments hints[max 2], and spiral forms in the brighter parts.[max 5]

UHC will further emphasize it, and will show a long bar in the center[max 2].

An indention on the eastern side of the nebula can be seen at high power (200x)[max 4].

The Crab pulsar can be seen at very high power[max 2], and is reportedly splitted from nearby star at 330x[max 1]. An experienced user using high power will also see low surface brightness filaments and faint nebulosity surrounding the main body of the nebula.

Many (but not all[max 6]) observers with 13" and bigger telescopes, report seeing many stars[max 5][max 7] involved in the nebula at high power, some of them as much as 7 stars, with 13"[max 1]. Stars are easily visible in northern part of the nebula.[max 8]

Higher power may also reveal dark streaks criss-crossing the nebula[max 5].

Different observers describe either northern[max 8] or southern[max 9]part of nebula to be brighter.

Color of the nebula has been described as blue-green.[max 7]

In 25" telescope, at high power, central bright region is elongated about 2x1 and contains 3 stars[max 1].

In very large telescopes (61"), using OIII filter, the net of filaments stands out from nebulosity.[max 2]

References
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Taurus by Steve Coe - Messier 1 with 6" f/6, 13" f/5.6, 17.5" f/4.5, 25" f/5
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Dead link Messier 1 observation by Tom Polakis with 13", 20", 61"  include this report
  3. ↑ Messier 1 observation by Paul Kemp (Southern Sentinel) with 13.1" f/5 Dobsonian (176x) (22nd December 2006)  include this report
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 x.astrogeek.org , Jeff Burton , AstroSystems TeleKit 14.5" Reflector , 205x , October 3, 2008 , Pennyrile State Park, KY, USA , LM: 6.2 , seeing: Antoniadi: II/I
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 (IAAC) Obj: M 1 - Inst: 15" Obsession f/4.5 by Armin Hermann
  6. ↑ Messier 1 observation by Olivier Van Aelst @ deepskylog.be (with Obsession 18" (457 mm))
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 (IAAC) Obj: M1; Inst- 16" Dob, excelent optics, enhanced coatings by Todd Gross
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Messier 1 observation by Wim De Meester @ deepskylog.be (with Obsession 18" (457 mm))
  9. ↑ Sketch included! Messier 1 observation and sketch by David Erzeel @ deepskylog.be (with Obsession 18" (457 mm))

More reports:

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Historic NGC and IC by Wolfgang Steinicke (version Nov. 20, 2006.)
  2. ↑ SEDS: Messier 1

[edit] Links

W.pngikipedia has an article on Messier 1

Retrieved from "http://www.deepskypedia.com/w/index.php?title=Messier_1&oldid=319720"
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