When to photograph NGC 1275 (Perseus A)
NGC 1275, the Perseus A, is a galaxy in Perseus, 2′ x 2′ across at magnitude 12.2. Also listed as C 24.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are November and December, with up to 11.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in November. It reaches 87° at its highest.
From 35° S it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 13° when it crosses the meridian, low enough that haze and light pollution soften it. It is possible with a clear northern horizon, but hard.
Framing
At 2′ x 2′ it is small. Even 4000 mm of focal length leaves it filling less than a third of an APS-C frame, so it suits long focal lengths, small pixels and good seeing.
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 NGC 1275's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- M 34 7.1° away
- NGC 1499 California Nebula 9.9° away
- NGC 1333 Embryo Nebula 10.3° away
- NGC 891 10.7° away
- NGC 1491 12.3° away
- NGC 925 13.1° away
Gear that suits NGC 1275
NGC 1275 is only 2.2′ 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 8% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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