When to photograph C 41 (Hyades)
C 41, the Hyades, is an open cluster in Taurus, 329′ across.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are November and December, with up to 8.5 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in December. It reaches 61° at its highest.
From 35° S the best months are November and December, with up to 4.3 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in November. It reaches 39° at its highest.
Framing
Its long axis is 329′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 60 to 130 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 90 to 200 mm.
Filters and the moon
Clusters are broadband targets, but bright ones tolerate some moonlight and light pollution. Short subs keep the brightest stars from clipping. The dark sky calendar shows which nights this month are moon-free where you are.
Plan it for tonight
Dates and times depend on your exact location. The imaging planner shows C 41's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- M 45 Pleiades 12.4° away
- M 1 Crab Nebula 17.1° away
- NGC 1579 Northern Trifid Nebula 19.4° away
- NGC 1333 Embryo Nebula 20.4° away
- NGC 1499 California Nebula 21.2° away
- IC 410 Tadpoles Nebula 21.6° away
Gear that suits C 41
C 41 is 329′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Samyang 135mm f/2 135 mm f/2: fills 83% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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