When to photograph NGC 4889
NGC 4889 is a galaxy in Coma Berenices, 3′ x 2′ across at magnitude 11.5. Also listed as C 35.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are February to April, with up to 8.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in March. It reaches 73° at its highest.
From 35° S it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 27° 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
At 3′ x 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
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 4889's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 4725 3.3° away
- NGC 4559 5.3° away
- NGC 4656 Hockey Stick Galaxy 5.5° away
- NGC 4565 Needle Galaxy 5.7° away
- NGC 4631 Whale Galaxy 6.0° away
- M 64 Black Eye Galaxy 6.3° away
Gear that suits NGC 4889
NGC 4889 is only 2.6′ 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 10% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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