B149
Dark Nebula in Cepheus
About
A small dark nebula in Cepheus, 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 8×5′ across, so it is too small to frame: use a long focal length, around 3030–5050 mm on APS-C.
- A dark nebula is seen only against the stars behind it, so shoot broadband.
- Best in July and August; it peaks near 80° altitude from 50°N.
- 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.
Facts
- Size
- 8′ × 5′
- Magnitude
- —
- Coordinates
- RA 20h 49.0m, Dec +59° 31′
- Framing, APS-C
- 3030–5050 mm
- Framing, full frame
- longer than 4000 mm
- Best months
- Jul, Aug
- Peak altitude
- 81° from 50°N, 66° from 35°N