When to photograph NGC 2516
NGC 2516 is an open cluster in Carina, 24′ across at magnitude 3.8. Also listed as C 96.
When to photograph it
From 45° N it never rises.
From 35° S the best months are December to March, with up to 7.5 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in February. It reaches 64° at its highest. It never sets from this latitude, so some imaging is possible all year.
Framing
Its long axis is 24′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 770 to 1770 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 1190 to 2720 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 2516's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- IC 2391 Omicron Velorum Cluster 9.6° away
- NGC 2867 10.8° away
- NGC 2070 Tarantula Nebula 16.6° away
- IC 2602 Southern Pleiades 19.0° away
- NGC 3372 Carina Nebula 20.4° away
- NGC 3195 22.1° away
Gear that suits NGC 2516
NGC 2516 is 24′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Sky-Watcher Esprit 120ED 840 mm f/7: fills 38% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Sky-Watcher Quattro 200P 800 mm f/4: fills 36% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Sky-Watcher 130PDS 650 mm f/5: fills 29% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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