When to photograph IC 443 (Jellyfish Nebula)
IC 443, the Jellyfish Nebula, is a supernova remnant in Gemini, 50′ x 40′ across at magnitude 12.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are December and January, with up to 9.2 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in December. It reaches 68° at its highest.
From 35° S the best months are December and January, with up to 2.5 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in January. It reaches 32° at its highest.
Framing
Its long axis is 50′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 380 to 860 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 580 to 1320 mm.
Filters and the moon
It glows in H-alpha, and often OIII, so a dual-band filter on a color camera or narrowband filters on a mono camera cut light pollution and keep it workable with the moon up. 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 443's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- M 35 2.5° away
- NGC 2174 Monkey Head Nebula 2.5° away
- M 1 Crab Nebula 9.7° away
- M 37 11.4° away
- NGC 2264 Cone Nebula and Christmas Tree Cluster 13.9° away
- M 36 14.6° away
Gear that suits IC 443
IC 443 is 50′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop. It shines in H-alpha and OIII, so a dual-band filter on a color camera cuts through light pollution and moonlight.
- Sky-Watcher Esprit 100ED 550 mm f/5.5: fills 51% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Askar FRA600 600 mm f/5.6: fills 56% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- William Optics GT81 IV 478 mm f/5.9: fills 45% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Optolong L-Ultimate 3 nm 3 nm dual-band, Ha, OIII, for color cameras View at High Point Scientific
- Antlia ALP-T 5 nm 5 nm dual-band, Ha, OIII, for color cameras View at High Point Scientific
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