When to photograph M 52
M 52 is an open cluster in Cassiopeia, 10′ across at magnitude 6.9. Also listed as NGC 7654.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are September to November, with up to 9.8 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in October. It reaches 73° 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 10′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 1900 to 4330 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 2920 to 6670 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 52's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 7635 Bubble Nebula 0.6° away
- C 9 Cave Nebula 3.3° away
- NGC 7380 Wizard Nebula 5.8° away
- NGC 7822 7.0° away
- IC 59 11.1° away
- IC 63 Ghost of Cassiopeia 11.3° away
Gear that suits M 52
M 52 is 9.9′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 38% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Celestron EdgeHD 8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 38% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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