Stan; Good to see that you are getting some good conditions, the central star = of the Ring is a pretty good test of the seeing and transparency. I only = had it "wink" at me for a second or two in any of the telescopes I have = owned, but in larger instruments it can be held steady. With Larry Mitchell's = 36 inch at TSP it was no problem to see the star and lots of nebulosity associated with the Ring, both inside and outside the donut structure. Have fun; Steve Coe -----Original Message----- From: az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:az-observing-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of = billferris@xxxxxxx Sent: Thursday, June 07, 2007 7:21 AM To: az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: [AZ-Observing] Re: M57 Atmospheric seeing is another contributor. The central star is seen = against the subtle nebulosity filling the planetary's annulus. Typically, magnifications of 350X or greater and good seeing are required to make = the detection. High magnification lowers the surface brightness of the background=C2=A0nebulosity enough to allow the=C2=A0~15.2 magnitude = central star to emerge.=C2=A0If the seeing is soft, the star bloats and blends into the background nebulostiy. But when the seeing steadies, the central star = pops into view. On nights when the central star is visible, nearby IC 1296 = makes a fine challenge for moderate to large aperture. Bill in Flag -----Original Message----- From: Stan Gorodenski <stan_gorodenski@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> To: AZ-Observing <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Thu, 7 Jun 2007 12:15 am Subject: [AZ-Observing] M57 Well, I am certain I have finally seen the central star in M57 with the=20 6", although I am sure seeing the central star is no big feat for all=20 ou experienced observers. I never saw it with the 12.5" Dall-Kirkham.=20 t pretty regularly pops in and out using averted vision. Sometimes it=20 eems very defined. I am wondering if this may be when it hits a more=20 ensitive rod in my eye, or because it is on the borderline of=20 isibility stochastically a times a rod gets hit with a few more photons. tan -- ee message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please = end personal replies to the author, not the list. ________________________________________________________________________ AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free = from AOL at AOL.com. -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and = please=20 send personal replies to the author, not the list. -- See message header for info on list archives or unsubscribing, and please send personal replies to the author, not the list.