When to photograph NGC 6992 (Eastern Veil)
NGC 6992, the Eastern Veil, is a supernova remnant in Cygnus, 60′ x 8′ across at magnitude 7. Also listed as C 33.
When to photograph it
From 45° N the best months are August to October, with up to 6.5 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in September. It reaches 77° at its highest.
From 35° S it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 23° 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 60′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 310 to 720 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 480 to 1100 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 6992's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.
Nearby targets
- NGC 6995 Eastern Veil (Bat Nebula) 0.5° away
- NGC 6960 Western Veil (Witch's Broom) 2.5° away
- M 29 9.5° away
- IC 1318 Sadr region 10.9° away
- NGC 6882 11.0° away
- NGC 6888 Crescent Nebula 11.2° away
Gear that suits NGC 6992
NGC 6992 is 60′ 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.
- Takahashi FSQ-85EDX 450 mm f/5.3: fills 50% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- William Optics Zenithstar 73 III 430 mm f/5.9: fills 48% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Sky-Watcher Evostar 72ED 420 mm f/5.8: fills 47% of an APS-C frame's short side View at High Point Scientific
- Optolong L-Ultimate 3 nm 3 nm dual-band, Ha, OIII, for color cameras View at High Point Scientific
- Antlia ALP-T 5 nm 5 nm dual-band, Ha, OIII, for color cameras View at High Point Scientific
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