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Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070)
emission nebula in Dorado
The Tarantula Nebula is the largest and most active star-forming region in the whole Local Group, in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Its long filaments look like a spider's legs. It is a deep southern object, so most northern observers cannot see it.
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// Key facts
- Catalog
- NGC 2070
- Also known as
- C 103, Caldwell 103, 30 Doradus
- Type
- emission nebula
- Constellation
- Dorado
- Size
- 40′ across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 8
- Distance
- about 160,000 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Dec
- Typical prime months
- Sep to Feb
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Filter
- Narrowband: Ha / OIII / SII, or a dual-band / UHC filter
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How to image Tarantula Nebula
- Use 300 to 800 mm to frame it and nearby clusters.
- Hydrogen-alpha reveals its filaments, and the star clusters add color.
- It is far south, with a declination of about -69 degrees, so it is for observers south of about 20 degrees north.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which NGC 2070 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 680 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 1210 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 1860 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point NGC 2070 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) | below horizon | Never rises |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | 56° | Workable |
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