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Plan tonight

When to photograph NGC 1579 (Northern Trifid Nebula)

NGC 1579, the Northern Trifid Nebula, is a cluster with nebula in Perseus, 12′ x 8′ across.

When to photograph it

From 45° N the best months are November and December, with up to 10.2 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in December. It reaches 80° at its highest.

From 35° S it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 20° when it crosses the meridian, low enough that haze and light pollution soften it. It is possible with a clear northern horizon, but hard.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec10h0
From 45° NFrom 35° SDark hours above 30°, on the 15th of each month

Framing

Its long axis is 12′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 1560 to 3580 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 2410 to 5500 mm.

Filters and the moon

It glows in H-alpha, and often OIII, so a dual-band filter on a color camera or narrowband filters on a mono camera cut light pollution and keep it workable with the moon up. 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 1579's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.

Nearby targets

Gear that suits NGC 1579

NGC 1579 is 12′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop. It shines in H-alpha and OIII, so a dual-band filter on a color camera cuts through light pollution and moonlight.

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