When to photograph M 36
M 36 is an open cluster in Auriga, 7′ across at magnitude 6. Also listed as NGC 1960.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are November to January, with up to 10.5 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 7′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 2610 to 5960 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 4010 to 9170 mm.
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 36's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- IC 417 Spider Nebula 1.7° away
- M 38 2.3° away
- NGC 1893 2.9° away
- IC 410 Tadpoles Nebula 2.9° away
- M 37 3.7° away
- IC 405 Flaming Star Nebula 4.1° away
Gear that suits M 36
M 36 is 7.2′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 27% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Celestron EdgeHD 8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 27% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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