Planetary nebula · Cepheus

NGC 40 Bow-Tie Nebula

Also known as: C2

mag 11.348″ across

About

NGC 40, the Bow-Tie Nebula, is a planetary nebula of magnitude 11.3 in Cepheus, about 48″ across.

NGC 40 is in the constellation Cepheus.
Best evenings: around early November it is highest at about 9 pm (10 pm in summer time); a month earlier, two hours later.
Where on Earth: it is seen well, at least 10° up, from north of 7° S.

When it rises and sets tonight, how high it climbs and how much the Moon gets in the way are worked out in your browser for your place.

EyesNot visible to the naked eye.
Binoculars (10×50)Too faint for binoculars.
Telescope (6–8 inch)A faint round glow — a UHC or OIII filter makes it much easier.

For a dark country sky with no Moon. From a city, faint galaxies and nebulae can disappear completely.

Designations	NGC 40, C2, PN G120.0+09.8
Type	Planetary nebula
Magnitude	11.3The smaller the number, the brighter.
Apparent size	48″the full Moon is 31′ across
Surface brightness	≈ 19.4 mag/arcsec²Estimate from the magnitude and size, per square arcsecond.
Constellation	Cepheus
Right ascension (J2000)	00h 13m 01.0s
Declination (J2000)	+72° 31′ 19″