B144
Dark Nebula in Cygnus
About
A small dark nebula in Cygnus, a patch of dust that dims the Milky Way stars behind it. It comes from the Barnard Catalogue, compiled by Edward Emerson Barnard and published in 1919.
Imaging tips
- Only about 10×7′ across, so it needs a long focal length: 2420–4040 mm on APS-C, or 3710–6190 mm full frame.
- A dark nebula is seen only against the stars behind it, so shoot broadband.
- Best in July and August; it passes almost overhead from 50°N, peaking near 75°.
- One imager photographed this cloud with a 12-inch f/8 Meade LX600 and a DSLR, using a focal reducer at prime focus, and presented it in black and white.
- That imager's gallery lists B144 as the Fish on Platter Nebula.
Facts
- Size
- 10′ × 7′
- Magnitude
- —
- Coordinates
- RA 19h 58.0m, Dec +35° 18′
- Framing, APS-C
- 2420–4040 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 3710–6190 mm
- Best months
- Jul, Aug
- Peak altitude
- 75° from 50°N, 90° from 35°N