When to photograph NGC 2170
NGC 2170 is a reflection nebula in Monoceros, 2′ across.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are November to January, with up to 4.7 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in January. It reaches 39° at its highest.
From 35° S the best months are December and January, with up to 6.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in December. It reaches 61° at its highest.
Framing
At 2′ it is small. Even 4000 mm of focal length leaves it filling less than a third of an APS-C frame, so it suits long focal lengths, small pixels and good seeing.
Filters and the moon
Reflection and dark nebulae are broadband targets. They need dark, moon-free nights and plenty of integration time. 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 2170's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- IC 434 Horsehead Nebula region 7.7° away
- NGC 2024 Flame Nebula 7.9° away
- M 43 Mairan's Nebula 8.0° away
- M 42 Orion Nebula 8.1° away
- NGC 1977 Running Man Nebula 8.2° away
- M 78 8.3° away
Gear that suits NGC 2170
NGC 2170 is only 2.0′ 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 8% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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