THE ASTRO MANUAL
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Plan tonight

When to photograph NGC 2239

NGC 2239 is a cluster with nebula in Monoceros, 9′ across at magnitude 4.8. Also listed as C 50.

When to photograph it

From 45° N the best months are November to January, with up to 6.8 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in January. It reaches 50° at its highest.

From 35° S the best months are December and January, with up to 5.2 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in December. It reaches 50° at its highest.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec7h0
From 45° NFrom 35° SDark hours above 30°, on the 15th of each month

Framing

Its long axis is 9′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 2020 to 4610 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 3110 to 7100 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 2239'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 2239

NGC 2239 is 9.3′ 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.

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