When is the best time to observe Caldwell 92?

Caldwell 92 is best observed from January through March, with peak visibility during February when it transits around midnight in the Northern Hemisphere.

Where is Caldwell 92 located in the sky?

Caldwell 92 lies in the constellation Carina at right ascension 10h 45m and declination -59° 52′.

What telescope do I need to see Caldwell 92?

At magnitude 3.0, Caldwell 92 is visible to the naked eye from dark skies, easy in any binoculars.

Caldwell 92 — Emission Nebula in Carina

NGC 3372

Emission Nebula Excellent (67/100)

Magnitude 3.0^m EmissionNebula Carina Visible

Credit: Harel Boren. License: CC BY-SA 4.0. (Wikimedia Commons)

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About Eta Carinae Nebula

Description

The Eta Carinae Nebula (NGC 3372) is one of the largest and brightest nebulae in the sky, located about 8,500 light-years away in Carina. Spanning over 2 degrees, it is four times the size and many times brighter than the Orion Nebula, and contains the massive, unstable star Eta Carinae.

Observing Tips

Visible to the naked eye as a bright patch in the Milky Way. Binoculars and wide-field telescopes reveal an extraordinary landscape of bright and dark nebulosity, including the Keyhole Nebula near Eta Carinae. An OIII or UHC filter enhances the structure. A southern hemisphere showpiece, best in late summer and autumn.

History

First noted by Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1751. Eta Carinae itself underwent the Great Eruption of 1837-1856, briefly becoming the second brightest star in the sky. The resulting Homunculus Nebula is visible in large amateur telescopes.

Fun Facts

Eta Carinae is one of the most massive stars known (about 100 solar masses) and will likely explode as a supernova or hypernova in the astronomically near future. The Carina Nebula contains the star cluster Trumpler 14, one of the youngest and most massive clusters in the Milky Way.