We have discussed Light Pollution extensively, both in regards to the effects it has on human and animal populations and how it is measured. But in these light polluted sky, there are still magnificent objects viewable in the constellation Draco.

Object	Magnitude	Type	RA	Dec.	Visibile	Best Time To View
NGC 6543	8.1	Planetary Nebula	17h 58m 33.423s	+66° 37′ 59.52″	Circumpolar	June, July, and August
ν Draconis	4.89	Double Star	17h 32m	+55°11′	Circumpolar	March, and April

The best times to view NGC 6543 is in the summer, with ν Draconis being best seen in March and April.

NGC 6543

Discovered by William Herschel on February 15th, 1786, NGC 6543, otherwise known as the Cat’s Eye Nebula is a famous planetary nebula. The photos of the nebula is well known and was the 1st nebula to have its spectrum investigated, which showed that planetary nebulae were gaseous and not stellar in nature. Further research has meant that the nebula has seen observation from the radio to the X-Ray wavelengths.

NGC 6543 can be seen by amateur scopes and binoculars as it has a highly compact center with a high surface brightness. For most amateur astronomers, NGC 6543 will appear as a tiny, bluish green spot of bright nebulosity. Using a 4 inch telescope could easily reveal an evenly lit slightly small oval disk that responds well to high power. Using a larger scope, such as an 8 inch telescope, NGC6543 shows some color; however, it requires using a 12 inch telescope to provide more detail to the viewer.

ν Draconis

This is actually a double star that is found in the head of Draco. double stars of the northern sky. Even steadily-held binoculars will split it into two nearly identical white stars, the two separated by a large 62 seconds of arc. This double star is a member of the Chinese asterism that means Celestial Flail.

This article was inspired by an article in Sky And Telescope by James Mullaney on the subject. 

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