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Monkey Head Nebula (NGC 2174)
emission nebula in Orion
The Monkey Head Nebula is a faint emission nebula in Orion, surrounding a young open cluster and shaped like a monkey's head. It sits on the Orion and Gemini border, away from the main bright nebulae. Hydrogen-alpha shows its structure best.
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// Key facts
- Catalog
- NGC 2174
- Type
- emission nebula
- Constellation
- Orion
- Size
- 40′ across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 6.8
- Distance
- about 6,400 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Dec
- Typical prime months
- Oct to Mar
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Filter
- Narrowband: Ha / OIII / SII, or a dual-band / UHC filter
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How to image Monkey Head Nebula
- Use 600 to 1,000 mm; it is about 40 arcminutes across.
- Ha or dual-band works well; broadband is much weaker.
- Winter evenings are best.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which NGC 2174 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 2174 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) | 56° | Workable |
| 45°N (Minneapolis, Milan) | 66° | High in the sky |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | 76° | High in the sky |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 86° | High in the sky |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | 35° | Workable |
Also worth imaging
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