When to photograph IC 405 (Flaming Star Nebula)
IC 405, the Flaming Star Nebula, is a nebula in Auriga, 37′ x 19′ across at magnitude 10. Also listed as C 31.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are November and December, with up to 10.7 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in December. It reaches 79° at its highest.
From 35° S it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 21° when it crosses the meridian, low enough that haze and light pollution soften it. It is possible with a clear northern horizon, but hard.
Framing
Its long axis is 37′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 510 to 1160 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 780 to 1780 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 IC 405's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 1893 1.6° away
- IC 410 Tadpoles Nebula 1.6° away
- IC 417 Spider Nebula 2.4° away
- M 38 2.9° away
- M 36 4.1° away
- M 37 7.7° away
Gear that suits IC 405
IC 405 is 37′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Sky-Watcher Quattro 200P 800 mm f/4: fills 55% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Sky-Watcher 130PDS 650 mm f/5: fills 45% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED 840 mm f/7: fills 58% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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