When to photograph M 82 (Cigar Galaxy)
M 82, the Cigar Galaxy, is a galaxy in Ursa Major, 11′ x 5′ across at magnitude 8.3. Also listed as NGC 3034.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are December to February, with up to 11.3 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in January. It reaches 65° 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 11′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 1710 to 3900 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 2630 to 6000 mm.
Filters and the moon
Galaxies are broadband targets. Filters cannot separate their light from light pollution, so dark skies and moon-free nights matter most. 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 82's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- M 81 Bode's Galaxy 0.6° away
- IC 2574 Coddington's Nebula 3.2° away
- NGC 4236 12.1° away
- NGC 2403 13.6° away
- M 108 16.3° away
- M 97 Owl Nebula 17.1° away
Gear that suits M 82
M 82 is 11′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 42% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Celestron EdgeHD 8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 42% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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