When to photograph IC 2602 (Southern Pleiades)
IC 2602, the Southern Pleiades, is an open cluster in Carina, 48′ across. Also listed as C 102.
When to photograph it
From 45° N it never rises.
From 35° S the best months are February to April, with up to 8.8 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in March. It reaches 61° at its highest. It never sets from this latitude, so some imaging is possible all year.
Framing
Its long axis is 48′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 390 to 890 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 600 to 1380 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 IC 2602's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 3576 Statue of Liberty Nebula 4.4° away
- NGC 3372 Carina Nebula 4.5° away
- IC 2944 Running Chicken Nebula 6.0° away
- NGC 3532 Wishing Well Cluster 6.2° away
- NGC 3766 Pearl Cluster 6.6° away
- NGC 2867 11.4° away
Gear that suits IC 2602
IC 2602 is 48′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED 550 mm f/5.5: fills 49% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Askar FRA600 600 mm f/5.6: fills 54% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Sky-Watcher 130PDS 650 mm f/5: fills 58% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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