When to photograph NGC 7243

When to photograph it

From 45° N the best months are September to November, with up to 8.2 hours of astronomical darkness above 30° in October. It reaches 85° at its highest. It never sets from this latitude, so some imaging is possible all year.

From 35° S it never climbs above 30°. It peaks at 5° 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 15′. It fills 35 to 80% of the short side of an APS-C sensor at about 1250 to 2860 mm, and of a full-frame sensor at about 1930 to 4400 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 7243's altitude through tonight, its transit time and its distance from the moon. For sub length, use the exposure calculator.

Nearby targets

• IC 5146 Cocoon Nebula 4.4° away
• M 39 7.2° away
• IC 1396 Elephant's Trunk Nebula 9.3° away
• NGC 7380 Wizard Nebula 9.5° away
• NGC 7000 North America Nebula 13.9° away
• C 9 Cave Nebula 13.9° away