When to photograph NGC 1893
NGC 1893 is an open cluster in Auriga, 6′ across at magnitude 7.5.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are November to January, with up to 10.5 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in December. It reaches 78° at its highest.
From 35° S it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 22° 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
Its long axis is 6′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 3130 to 7150 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 4810 to 11000 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 1893's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- IC 410 Tadpoles Nebula 0.0° away
- IC 417 Spider Nebula 1.5° away
- IC 405 Flaming Star Nebula 1.6° away
- M 38 2.7° away
- M 36 2.9° away
- M 37 6.3° away
Gear that suits NGC 1893
NGC 1893 is only 6.0′ 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 23% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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