When to photograph M 29
M 29 is an open cluster in Cygnus, 4′ across at magnitude 6.6. Also listed as NGC 6913.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are August to October, with up to 6.3 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in September. It reaches 84° at its highest.
From 35° S it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 16° 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
At 4′ it is small. Even 4000 mm of focal length leaves it filling less than a third of an APS-C frame, so it suits long focal lengths, small pixels and good seeing.
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 M 29's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- IC 1318 Sadr region 1.8° away
- NGC 6888 Crescent Nebula 2.3° away
- NGC 6914 4.0° away
- IC 5070 Pelican Nebula 7.8° away
- NGC 7000 North America Nebula 8.9° away
- NGC 6960 Western Veil (Witch's Broom) 9.1° away
Gear that suits M 29
M 29 is only 3.6′ 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 14% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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