When to photograph NGC 5694
NGC 5694 is a globular cluster in Hydra, 3′ across at magnitude 10.9. Also listed as C 66.
When to photograph it
From 45° N 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 southern horizon, but hard.
From 35° S the best months are April and May, with up to 9.3 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in May. It reaches 82° at its highest.
Framing
At 3′ 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
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 5694's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- M 83 Southern Pinwheel Galaxy 14.2° away
- NGC 5128 Centaurus A 22.3° away
- IC 4592 Blue Horsehead Nebula 22.4° away
- M 80 22.4° away
- M 4 23.2° away
- IC 4604 Rho Ophiuchi region 24.2° away
Gear that suits NGC 5694
NGC 5694 is only 3.3′ 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 13% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
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