When to photograph M 45 (Pleiades)
M 45, the Pleiades, is an open cluster in Taurus, 150′ across at magnitude 1.2.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are November and December, with up to 9.5 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in November. It reaches 69° at its highest.
From 35° S the best months are October to December, with up to 1.5 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in December. It reaches 31° at its highest.
Framing
Its long axis is 150′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 120 to 290 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 190 to 440 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 45's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 1333 Embryo Nebula 8.3° away
- C 41 Hyades 12.4° away
- NGC 1499 California Nebula 12.7° away
- NGC 1579 Northern Trifid Nebula 14.5° away
- NGC 1275 Perseus A 18.3° away
- NGC 925 19.9° away
Gear that suits M 45
M 45 is 150′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Samyang 135mm f/2 135 mm f/2: fills 38% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- William Optics RedCat 51 250 mm f/4.9: fills 70% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- William Optics RedCat 61 300 mm f/4.9: fills 84% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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