When to photograph NGC 5005
NGC 5005 is a galaxy in Canes Venatici, 5′ x 2′ across at magnitude 10.7. Also listed as C 29.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are February to April, with up to 8.3 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in March. It reaches 82° at its highest.
From 35° S it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 18° 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 5′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 3910 to 8940 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 6020 to 13750 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 5005's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 5033 0.7° away
- M 63 Sunflower Galaxy 5.1° away
- M 94 5.6° away
- NGC 4656 Hockey Stick Galaxy 7.4° away
- NGC 4631 Whale Galaxy 7.4° away
- NGC 4889 9.4° away
Gear that suits NGC 5005
NGC 5005 is only 4.8′ 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 18% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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