When to photograph IC 63 (Ghost of Cassiopeia)
IC 63, the Ghost of Cassiopeia, is an emission nebula in Cassiopeia, 10′ x 3′ across at magnitude 13.3.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are October to December, with up to 10.5 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in November. It reaches 74° at its highest. It never sets from this latitude, so some imaging is possible all year.
From 35° S it never rises.
Framing
Its long axis is 10′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 1880 to 4290 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 2890 to 6600 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 63's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- IC 59 0.3° away
- NGC 457 Owl Cluster 3.6° away
- M 103 4.1° away
- NGC 559 4.2° away
- NGC 281 Pacman Nebula 4.4° away
- NGC 663 5.7° away
Gear that suits IC 63
IC 63 is 10′ 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.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 38% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Celestron EdgeHD 8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 38% 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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