When to photograph NGC 3242 (Jupiter's Ghost Nebula)

When to photograph it

From 45° N it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 26° when it crosses the meridian, low enough that haze and light pollution soften it. It is possible with a clear southern horizon, but hard.

From 35° S the best months are February to April, with up to 7.5 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in February. It reaches 74° at its highest.

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

Framing

At 0′ 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

Planetary nebulae are bright in OIII and H-alpha and small, so narrowband works and the moon matters less. Short subs help with the bright core. 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 3242'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 3242

NGC 3242 is only 0.4′ across, so it stays small in any amateur telescope. The longest focal length gives it the most pixels. 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 2% 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

Retailer links are affiliate links. If you buy through one, the site may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Details