When to photograph NGC 4656 (Hockey Stick Galaxy)
NGC 4656, the Hockey Stick Galaxy, is a galaxy pair in Canes Venatici, 8′ across.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are February to April, with up to 8.5 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in March. It reaches 77° at its highest.
From 35° S it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 23° when it crosses the meridian, low enough that haze and light pollution soften it. It is possible with a clear northern horizon, but hard.
Framing
Its long axis is 8′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 2350 to 5360 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 3610 to 8250 mm.
Filters and the moon
Galaxies are broadband targets. Filters cannot separate their light from light pollution, so dark skies and moon-free nights matter most. 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 4656's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 4631 Whale Galaxy 0.5° away
- NGC 4559 4.5° away
- NGC 4889 5.5° away
- NGC 4565 Needle Galaxy 6.4° away
- NGC 4725 6.8° away
- NGC 5005 7.4° away
Gear that suits NGC 4656
NGC 4656 is 8.0′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 30% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Celestron EdgeHD 8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 30% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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