Hydra

Observing Projects for Hydra

Ghost of Jupiter: NGC 3242

: By Glenn Chaple
This planetary nebula gets its nickname “Jupiter’s Ghost” because its angular size and slightly oval shape (40” by 35”) approximate those of its namesake planet. Make Jupiter 10 magnitudes fainter and change its color from lively yellow to pale blue-green, and you have NGC 3242 – Jupiter’s Ghost!
A Better Galaxy Guide: Early Spring

A Better Galaxy Guide: Early Spring

: By Craig Cortis
We all know about the wealth of galaxies that populate the sky beginning around this time of year, but if you’re not an experienced deep-sky observer, where do you begin?