When to photograph NGC 2070 (Tarantula Nebula)
NGC 2070, the Tarantula Nebula, is an emission nebula in Dorado, 40′ x 25′ across at magnitude 7.3. Also listed as C 103.
When to photograph it
From 45° N it never rises.
From 35° S the best months are October to February, with up to 6.8 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in November. It reaches 56° at its highest. It never sets from this latitude, so some imaging is possible all year.
Framing
Its long axis is 40′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 470 to 1070 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 720 to 1650 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 2070'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 2070
NGC 2070 is 40′ 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.
- Sky-Watcher 130PDS 650 mm f/5: fills 48% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Askar FRA600 600 mm f/5.6: fills 45% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Sky-Watcher Quattro 200P 800 mm f/4: fills 60% 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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