Skip to content

🔭 September 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 Autumn Nebulae & Andromeda

APS‑C FOV ≈ 3.2° × 2.1°

🎯 Best September Target: Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

  • File:Andromeda Galaxy (with h-alpha).jpg - Wikipedia
     
  • Andromeda Galaxy, Messier 31 - Michael Adler Earth and Sky Imaging
     
  • Andromeda Galaxy (M31) wide-field image | ESA/Hubble
     
  • M31 - The Andromeda Galaxy in HaRGB - DSLR, Mirrorless & General ...
     

Why this target fits 400 mm M31 is huge — at 400 mm you capture the full galaxy, dust lanes, and both satellite galaxies (M32 + M110).

Filters

  • Color: Best for galaxies

  • Narrowband: Not useful for M31

Exposure strategy

  • 120–180 s RGB

  • 6–10 h total integration

Expected result A crisp, widefield Andromeda with detailed dust lanes and bright core.

Secondary September target: Heart Nebula (IC 1805)

 
 

🌌 700 mm f/7 — Triangulum & Pacman

APS‑C FOV ≈ 1.8° × 1.2°

🎯 Best September Target: Triangulum Galaxy (M33)

  • Triangulum Galaxy @ Reinhold Wittich
     
  • Triangulum Galaxy
     
  • M33 Galaxy in Triangulum
     
  • Messier 33: Triangulum Galaxy | Messier Objects
     

Why this target fits 700 mm M33 is medium‑sized; 700 mm frames it perfectly with enough resolution to reveal Hα knots.

Filters

  • Color: Main

  • Narrowband: Optional Hα to highlight emission regions

Exposure strategy

  • 180–240 s RGB

  • 8–12 h total integration

  • Optional: 240–300 s Hα for blending

Expected result A detailed M33 with visible spiral arms and pink Hα regions.

Secondary September target: Pacman Nebula (NGC 281)

  • NGC 281 - The Pac-Man Nebula
     
  • Pacman Nebula
     
  • The Pacman Nebula | NGC 281 - Urban Astrophotography
     
  • PacMan Nebula Picture - NGC 281 Image
     
 

🌠 1000 mm f/4 — Bubble & Pacman Core

APS‑C FOV ≈ 1.2° × 0.8°

🎯 Best September Target: Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635)

  • Jean-Baptiste Faure: Stunning image of NGC 7635, the Bubble Nebula!
     
  • NASA SVS | The Bubble Nebula (NGC 7635) from Hubble
     
  • NGC 7635 – Bubble Nebula
     
  • NGC 7635 (Bubble Nebula) in Cassiopeia
     

Why this target fits 1000 mm The Bubble is small enough that 1000 mm gives excellent detail while still capturing surrounding Hα clouds.

Filters

  • Narrowband: Hα/OIII

  • Color: Optional for stars

Exposure strategy

  • 180–240 s NB

  • 8–12 h total integration

Expected result A high‑contrast Bubble with visible shell structure and surrounding emission.

Secondary September target: Pacman Nebula core

 
 

🌑 2000 mm f/10 — Small Galaxies & Bubble Close‑ups

APS‑C FOV ≈ 0.6° × 0.4°

🎯 Best September Target: Bubble Nebula close‑up

  • NGC 7635 Bubble Nebula deep close-up — AAPOD2.COM
     
  • Bubble Nebula NGC 7635 Closeup (Christophorus)
     
  • NGC 7635 ⋆ Astro Fotografie Nimmervoll
     
  • Bubble Nebula Hubble
     

Why this target fits 2000 mm At long focal length, you can resolve the Bubble’s shell thickness, internal turbulence, and the driving star.

Filters

  • Narrowband: Hα/OIII mandatory

  • Color: Optional

Exposure strategy

  • 300–600 s NB

  • 10–15 h total integration

Expected result A tight, high‑resolution Bubble with crisp edges and internal gradients.

Secondary September target: Small galaxies around M31

 
 

⭐ Your September Master Plan (Summary)

Scope Target Reason
400 mm Andromeda Perfect widefield galaxy
700 mm Triangulum Ideal scale + detail
1000 mm Bubble Nebula Great balance of field + resolution
2000 mm Bubble close‑up High‑detail shell structure