🔭 March Imaging Plan — Switzerland (46°N)

Optimized for your 400 mm, 700 mm, 1000 mm, 2000 mm rigs (APS‑C, color + narrowband)

🌄 400 mm f/5 — Widefield Galaxy Groups

APS‑C FOV ≈ 3.2° × 2.1°

🎯 Best March Target: Leo Triplet (M65, M66, NGC 3628)

Why this target fits 400 mm The three galaxies form a perfect widefield composition at 400 mm, with enough separation to show the group structure.

Filters

• RGB only — galaxies don’t benefit from narrowband.

Exposure strategy

• 120–180 s RGB

• 6–10 h total integration

Expected result A clean, widefield galaxy trio with visible dust lanes and distinct shapes.

Secondary March target: M81 + M82 pair

🌌 700 mm f/7 — M81/M82 & M101

APS‑C FOV ≈ 1.8° × 1.2°

🎯 Best March Target: Bode’s Galaxy (M81) + Cigar Galaxy (M82)

Why this target fits 700 mm Both galaxies fit perfectly in the same frame at 700 mm, with excellent detail in M82’s starburst core.

Filters

• RGB main

• Optional Hα for M82’s outflows

Exposure strategy

• 180–240 s RGB

• 8–12 h total integration

• Optional: 240–300 s Hα for M82 jets

Expected result A dramatic two‑galaxy composition with strong contrast and visible starburst filaments.

Secondary March target: Pinwheel Galaxy (M101)

🌠 1000 mm f/4 — Detailed Galaxies

APS‑C FOV ≈ 1.2° × 0.8°

🎯 Best March Target: NGC 2903

Why this target fits 1000 mm NGC 2903 is bright and medium‑sized — perfect for 1000 mm, giving excellent spiral arm detail.

Filters

• RGB main

• Optional Hα for faint emission regions

Exposure strategy

• 180–240 s RGB

• 8–12 h total integration

Expected result A crisp spiral galaxy with visible arm structure and a bright core.

Secondary March target: M82 close‑up

🌑 2000 mm f/10 — High‑Detail Galaxy Work

APS‑C FOV ≈ 0.6° × 0.4°

🎯 Best March Target: M82 — Starburst Galaxy (tight framing)

Why this target fits 2000 mm At long focal length you resolve the starburst filaments, dust lanes, and internal structure of M82.

Filters

• RGB main

• Hα extremely useful for starburst jets

Exposure strategy

• 300–600 s RGB

• 10–15 h total integration

• Optional: 300–600 s Hα for blending

Expected result A high‑resolution view of M82’s explosive core and dramatic outflows.

Secondary March target: Small Leo galaxies (NGC 3593, NGC 3626)

⭐ Your March Master Plan (Summary)