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Plan tonight

When to photograph NGC 6888 (Crescent Nebula)

NGC 6888, the Crescent Nebula, is an emission nebula in Cygnus, 18′ x 12′ across at magnitude 7.4. Also listed as C 27.

When to photograph it

From 45° N the best months are August to October, with up to 6.2 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in August. It reaches 83° at its highest.

From 35° S it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 17° when it crosses the meridian, low enough that haze and light pollution soften it. It is possible with a clear northern horizon, but hard.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec6h0
From 45° NFrom 35° SDark hours above 30°, on the 15th of each month

Framing

Its long axis is 18′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 1040 to 2380 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 1600 to 3670 mm.

Filters and the moon

It glows in H-alpha, and often OIII, so a dual-band filter on a color camera or narrowband filters on a mono camera cut light pollution and keep it workable with the moon up. 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 6888's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.

Nearby targets

Gear that suits NGC 6888

NGC 6888 is 18′ along its long axis. These frame it on an APS-C sensor with room to crop. It shines in H-alpha and OIII, so a dual-band filter on a color camera cuts through light pollution and moonlight.

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