When to photograph M 42 (Orion Nebula)
M 42, the Orion Nebula, is a cluster with nebula in Orion, 90′ x 60′ across at magnitude 4. Also listed as NGC 1976.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are November to January, with up to 5.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in November. It reaches 40° at its highest.
From 35° S the best months are November and December, with up to 6.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in December. It reaches 60° at its highest.
Framing
Its long axis is 90′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 210 to 480 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 320 to 730 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 M 42's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- M 43 Mairan's Nebula 0.1° away
- NGC 1977 Running Man Nebula 0.5° away
- IC 434 Horsehead Nebula region 3.3° away
- NGC 2024 Flame Nebula 3.9° away
- M 78 6.2° away
- NGC 2170 8.1° away
Gear that suits M 42
M 42 is 90′ 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.
- William Optics RedCat 61 300 mm f/4.9: fills 50% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- William Optics RedCat 51 250 mm f/4.9: fills 42% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Askar FRA400 400 mm f/5.6: fills 67% 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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