When to photograph NGC 188
NGC 188 is an open cluster in Cepheus, 18′ across at magnitude 8.1. Also listed as C 1.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are October to February, with up to 11.7 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in December. It reaches 50° 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 18′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 1060 to 2420 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 1630 to 3730 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 188's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 40 Bow-Tie nebula 12.8° away
- NGC 7822 18.2° away
- IC 342 Hidden Galaxy 18.8° away
- NGC 7023 Iris Nebula 19.6° away
- NGC 7129 20.9° away
- NGC 559 22.1° away
Gear that suits NGC 188
NGC 188 is 18′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 67% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Celestron EdgeHD 8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 67% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED 840 mm f/7: fills 28% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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