ngc7654 viewing

Hello folks,this will most likley sound stupid, but here I go. what is the smallest size telescope that can be used to see the catseye nebula.I'm looking from mag 5 skys with a fair amount of light glare my deck is 3 ft. above a street light that is 15 ft off the deck I'm next to a large water way in northern calif.so the air is thick. if thats the right term. I have an old dimamax 8 and I don't know if its Me of my sight or what thats keeping me from the catseye nebula. thank you all inadvance for any help
steve

I think you meant NGC 6543 as NGC 7654 is actually M52 an open cluster.

Try the hood or jacket over head trick; it's an old DSO technique.

I've seen the Cat Eye Nebula through my 4" TV-102 APO refractor. Incidentally, this PN is small and if you don't have a nebula filter, you may need a good chart (I know I couldn't find it until I got TheSky software and printed out a detailed chart). With good chart, it's quite easy because NGC 7654 is quite bright. Once you've located it,
pump up the magnification. Also note its color as this is one of the few DSO showing color even through my runty 4" Light Cup. I used Zeta Draconis as a starting star to HOP-TO.

Keep trying Steve and best of luck,

Ron B[ee]