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Running Chicken Nebula (IC 2944)
emission nebula in Centaurus
The Running Chicken Nebula is a large emission nebula in Centaurus, around the bright star Lambda Centauri. It holds dark dust globules known as Thackeray's Globules. It is large and faint, and best for southern observers.
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// Key facts
- Catalog
- IC 2944
- Also known as
- C 100, Caldwell 100, Lambda Centauri Nebula
- Type
- emission nebula
- Constellation
- Centaurus
- Size
- 1.3° across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 4.5
- Distance
- roughly 6,000 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Mar
- Typical prime months
- Dec to May
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Filter
- Narrowband: Ha / OIII / SII, or a dual-band / UHC filter
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How to image Running Chicken Nebula
- Use 300 to 600 mm; it is about 75 arcminutes across.
- Hydrogen-alpha adds the nebula over a rich Milky Way star field.
- It never rises north of about 27 degrees north, so it suits southern or tropical sites.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which IC 2944 spans about 60% of the long side of the sensor, leaving room around it. Treat it as a starting point; the right framing is a matter of taste.
| Sensor | Focal length |
|---|---|
| 1-inch sensor (13.2 mm) | about 360 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 650 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 990 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point IC 2944 reaches in the sky. Above about 60° is excellent, 30° to 60° is workable, and under 30° you are looking through a lot of air.
| Latitude | Highest point | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 55°N (Scotland, Alaska) | below horizon | Never rises |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | below horizon | Never rises |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | below horizon | Never rises |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 2° | Stays low |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | 62° | High in the sky |
Also worth imaging
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