What is it like to see nebula through a telescope?

As others have already posted, if your expecting what you see in professional astrophotos, you're bound to be disappointed. That being said, there is a lot to be gained by using a backyard telescope in terms of connecting to the cosmos. read more

Globular clusters (Great Cluster in Hercules) and planetary nebulae (supernova remnants) like the Dumbbell Nebula and the Ring Nebula are very visible through an 11" scope. The Ring Nebula looks like a space doughnut. read more

Paradoxically, the nebula is also hazardous to its embryonic stars. The Trapezium’s harsh ultraviolet light is dispersing the raw material the protostars need to become full-fledged suns, like a tyrannical toddler stealing food from her baby brother’s plate. Scoping the Great Orion Nebula. You can see these stellar newborns yourself. read more