When to photograph NGC 559
NGC 559 is an open cluster in Cassiopeia, 9′ across at magnitude 9.5. Also listed as C 8.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are October to December, with up to 11.0 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in November. It reaches 72° at its highest. It never sets from this latitude, so some imaging is possible all year.
From 35° S it never rises.
Framing
Its long axis is 9′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 2090 to 4770 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 3210 to 7330 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 559's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- M 103 2.7° away
- NGC 663 2.8° away
- IC 63 Ghost of Cassiopeia 4.2° away
- IC 59 4.3° away
- NGC 457 Owl Cluster 5.2° away
- NGC 896 6.5° away
Gear that suits NGC 559
NGC 559 is 9.0′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop.
- Celestron C8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 34% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Celestron EdgeHD 8 OTA 2032 mm f/10: fills 34% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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