🔭 April 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 Clusters

APS‑C FOV ≈ 3.2° × 2.1°

🎯 Best April Target: Markarian’s Chain (Virgo Cluster)

Why this target fits 400 mm Markarian’s Chain is enormous — at 400 mm you capture 10+ galaxies in one frame, including M86, M84, and “The Eyes.”

Filters

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

Exposure strategy

• 120–180 s RGB

• 6–10 h total integration

Expected result A rich galaxy field showing the structure of the Virgo Cluster.

Secondary April target: Sombrero Galaxy (M104) widefield

🌌 700 mm f/7 — M51 & M64

APS‑C FOV ≈ 1.8° × 1.2°

🎯 Best April Target: Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)

Why this target fits 700 mm M51 and its companion NGC 5195 fit perfectly in the frame, with enough resolution to show spiral arm structure.

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 detail and interaction features.

Secondary April target: Black Eye Galaxy (M64)

🌠 1000 mm f/4 — Edge‑on Galaxies

APS‑C FOV ≈ 1.2° × 0.8°

🎯 Best April Target: Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565)

Why this target fits 1000 mm NGC 4565 is a long, thin edge‑on galaxy — 1000 mm gives perfect framing and excellent dust lane detail.

Filters

• RGB main

• Optional Hα for faint halo regions

Exposure strategy

• 180–240 s RGB

• 8–12 h total integration

Expected result A razor‑sharp edge‑on galaxy with a dark dust lane and bright core.

Secondary April target: Sombrero Galaxy (M104)

🌑 2000 mm f/10 — Compact Galaxies & Interacting Pairs

APS‑C FOV ≈ 0.6° × 0.4°

🎯 Best April Target: NGC 4216 (Virgo Cluster)

Why this target fits 2000 mm NGC 4216 is a bright, detailed edge‑on galaxy that benefits from long focal length to resolve dust lanes and halo structure.

Filters

• RGB main

• Optional Hα for faint emission

Exposure strategy

• 300–600 s RGB

• 10–15 h total integration

Expected result A high‑detail edge‑on galaxy with crisp dust lanes and extended halo.

Secondary April target: Interacting galaxy pairs in Virgo (NGC 4298/4302)

⭐ Your April Master Plan (Summary)