When to photograph M 102 (Spindle Galaxy)
M 102, the Spindle Galaxy, is a galaxy in Draco, 6′ x 3′ across at magnitude 9.9. Also listed as NGC 5866.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are February to April, with up to 7.8 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in March. It reaches 79° 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 6′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 2980 to 6810 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 4580 to 10480 mm.
Filters and the moon
Galaxies are broadband targets. Filters cannot separate their light from light pollution, so dark skies and moon-free nights matter most. 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 M 102's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 5907 Splinter Galaxy 1.4° away
- M 101 Pinwheel Galaxy 9.2° away
- M 51 Whirlpool Galaxy 17.2° away
- M 40 Winnecke 4 22.2° away
- M 63 Sunflower Galaxy 22.5° away
- NGC 6543 Cat's Eye Nebula 22.8° away
Gear that suits M 102
M 102 is only 6.3′ across, so it stays small in any amateur telescope. The longest focal length gives it the most pixels.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 24% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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