NGC 1535
4-8 inch Telescope • Planetary Nebulae Detailed
Image: KPNO/NOIRLab/NSF/AURA/Adam Block
Finder map for NGC 1535
Often referred to in modern observing literature as “Cleopatra’s Eye,” this nickname is a contemporary, informal name inspired by the nebula’s eye-like appearance in high-resolution color images. Best from the tropics and southern latitudes where it climbs higher. The main visual challenge is distinguishing the bright inner shell from the central star using sufficient magnification. Much fainter outer structures visible in deep images lie beyond reliable visual detection in 4–8 inch telescopes.
Finder scope & binocular view of NGC 1535
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Common names | Cleopatra’s Eye Nebula |
| Catalog names | NGC 1535, PGC 3517751, PK 206-40.1, PN G206.4-40.5 |
| Type | Evolved Star |
| Subtype | Planetary Nebula |
| Coordinates | 4h 14m 15.77s, -12° 44’ 21.93” |
| Season | November - January |
| Best month | December |
| Beginner friendly | Marginal |
| Visual reward | High |
| Filters required | OIII, UHC |
| LP tolerance | High |
| Minimum equipment | Small telescope |
| Optimal equipment | Medium telescope |
| Magnitude | 9.6 |
| Size | 0.85 arcminutes x 0.85 arcminutes |
| Constellation | Eridanus |
Observation Notes
Naked Eye
Not visible.
Binoculars
Not visible as a nebula; at best appears stellar in large astronomical binoculars.
Small Telescope
In 4–6 inch apertures, appears at low power as a small, slightly out-of-focus star, often with a bluish-green tint. Higher magnification (150× or more) is needed to show its non-stellar nature as a tiny, fuzzy disk.
Medium Telescope
With 8–12 inches, the small bluish disk is clearly defined at higher magnification. Under excellent seeing, a brighter inner region or ring may be suspected with careful observation. An O-III filter enhances contrast by brightening the nebula relative to the background while dimming the central star.
Large Telescope
In apertures of roughly 14 inches and larger, high magnification reveals clearer contrast between the brighter inner region and the darker central area. The central star, near magnitude 12, can be seen under good conditions, and from very dark sites the extremely faint outer halo may be suspected with averted vision.