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Carina Nebula (NGC 3372)
emission nebula in Carina
The Carina Nebula is one of the largest and brightest nebulae in the sky, much larger than the Orion Nebula. It contains the extremely luminous and unstable star Eta Carinae, a dark lane called the Keyhole, and many dust pillars.
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// Key facts
- Catalog
- NGC 3372
- Type
- emission nebula
- Constellation
- Carina
- Size
- 2.0° across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 3
- Distance
- about 7,500 to 8,500 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 Carina Nebula
- It is deep south (dec -60), so it only climbs high from southern latitudes and is out of reach from the northern United States.
- Dual-band or Ha/OIII/SII all work. Its brightness range is huge, so blend short and long exposures to keep Eta Carinae from clipping.
- At 2 degrees across, use 300 to 600 mm.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which NGC 3372 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 230 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 400 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 620 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point NGC 3372 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) | 5° | Stays low |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | 65° | High in the sky |
Also worth imaging
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