When to photograph NGC 1261
NGC 1261 is a globular cluster in Horologium, 5′ across at magnitude 8.6. Also listed as C 87.
When to photograph it
From 45° N it never rises.
From 35° S the best months are September to November, with up to 8.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in October. It reaches 70° at its highest. It never sets from this latitude, so some imaging is possible all year.
Framing
Its long axis is 5′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 3680 to 8410 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 5660 to 12940 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 NGC 1261's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 362 20.9° away
- NGC 2070 Tarantula Nebula 21.5° away
- NGC 104 47 Tucanae 24.2° away
- NGC 1851 25.2° away
- NGC 1097 25.4° away
- NGC 300 29.0° away
Gear that suits NGC 1261
NGC 1261 is only 5.1′ across, so it stays small in any amateur telescope. The longest focal length gives it the most pixels.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 19% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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