When to photograph C 99 (Coalsack Nebula)
C 99, the Coalsack Nebula, is a dark nebula in Crux, 420′ x 300′ across.
When to photograph it
From 45° N it never rises.
From 35° S the best months are March to May, with up to 10.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in April. It reaches 61° at its highest. It never sets from this latitude, so some imaging is possible all year.
Framing
Its long axis is 420′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 40 to 100 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 70 to 160 mm.
Filters and the moon
Reflection and dark nebulae are broadband targets. They need dark, moon-free nights and plenty of integration time. 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 99's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 4609 Coalsack Cluster 1.4° away
- NGC 4755 Herschel's Jewel Box 4.3° away
- IC 2944 Running Chicken Nebula 6.2° away
- NGC 3766 Pearl Cluster 6.7° away
- NGC 4833 7.6° away
- NGC 4372 8.9° away
Gear that suits C 99
C 99 is 420′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art 35 mm f/1.4: fills 28% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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