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Cat's Paw Nebula (NGC 6334)
emission nebula in Scorpius
The Cat's Paw Nebula is a large, red emission nebula in Scorpius, shaped like a set of paw prints. It is a very active star-forming region, and it sits only about two degrees from the War and Peace Nebula (NGC 6357).
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// Key facts
- Catalog
- NGC 6334
- Type
- emission nebula
- Constellation
- Scorpius
- Size
- 35′ across
- Brightness
- Magnitude 8
- Distance
- about 5,500 light-years
- Peak month (any location)
- Jun
- Typical prime months
- Mar to Aug
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Filter
- Narrowband: Ha / OIII / SII, or a dual-band / UHC filter
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How to image Cat's Paw Nebula
- It is far south (dec -36), so it is low from the northern United States. Southern sites do much better.
- Ha or a dual-band filter is essential.
- A frame of about 2.5 degrees can include both the Cat's Paw and the War and Peace Nebula.
Framing: what focal length?
The focal length at which NGC 6334 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 780 mm |
| APS-C (23.5 mm) | about 1380 mm |
| Full frame (36 mm) | about 2120 mm |
How high does it climb from your latitude?
The highest point NGC 6334 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) | 9° | Stays low |
| 35°N (Los Angeles, Tokyo) | 19° | Stays low |
| 25°N (Miami, Cairo) | 29° | Stays low |
| 35°S (Sydney, Santiago) | 89° | High in the sky |
Also worth imaging
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