vdB23
Reflection Nebula in Taurus
About
A reflection nebula in Taurus, about 17′ across, around Alcyone in the Pleiades and only 2.6′ from the cluster's centre. The cluster is about 444 light-years away.
Imaging tips
- About 17′ across: 1430–2380 mm on APS-C, with M45 only 2.6′ away.
- A reflection nebula, so shoot it with broadband data rather than narrowband filters.
- The Merope Nebula is nearby, about 18′ away, so a wider field is needed to include it.
- Best around November and December; it peaks near 64° altitude from 50°N.
- One imager's 100-minute total at 780 mm f/6 with a modified DSLR and no filter recorded the nebulosity around Alcyone.
Facts
- Size
- 17′
- Magnitude
- —
- Coordinates
- RA 3h 47.5m, Dec +24° 6′
- Framing, APS-C
- 1430–2380 mm
- Framing, full frame
- 2180–3640 mm
- Best months
- Nov, Dec
- Peak altitude
- 64° from 50°N, 79° from 35°N
Nearby
- M45 (Pleiades) · 2.6′ away