When to photograph NGC 1977 (Running Man Nebula)
NGC 1977, the Running Man Nebula, is a cluster with nebula in Orion, 20′ x 10′ across.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are November to January, with up to 5.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in November. It reaches 40° at its highest.
From 35° S the best months are November and December, with up to 6.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in December. It reaches 60° at its highest.
Framing
Its long axis is 20′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 940 to 2150 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 1440 to 3300 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 1977's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- M 43 Mairan's Nebula 0.4° away
- M 42 Orion Nebula 0.5° away
- IC 434 Horsehead Nebula region 2.8° away
- NGC 2024 Flame Nebula 3.4° away
- M 78 5.7° away
- NGC 2170 8.2° away
Gear that suits NGC 1977
NGC 1977 is 20′ 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.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 76% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Celestron EdgeHD 8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 76% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED 840 mm f/7: fills 31% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Optolong L-Ultimate 3 nm 3 nm dual-band, Ha, OIII, for color cameras View at High Point Scientific
- Antlia ALP-T 5 nm 5 nm dual-band, Ha, OIII, for color cameras View at High Point Scientific
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