💫 NGC 2626
Object data
| Type | Reflection nebula |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Vela |
| Right ascension | 8h35m29.0s (128.8710°) |
| Declination | -40°40'06" (-40.6683°) |
| Magnitude | (no magnitude data) |
| Apparent size | 5′ × 5′ |
| Other designations | NGC 2626 |
A reflection nebula in Vela.
Midnight transit date (best season to observe and image)
Location: Tokyo (change)
Around Jan 25, 2026
The date it transits around midnight (transit altitude about 14°)
This date has already passed this year. Next year (2027) it will be around Jan 25.
For about 2–3 weeks either side of this date, the object stays high from evening to dawn — its observing season.
Best time to observe tonight
Tonight (Oct 12 evening – Oct 13 dawn) · Location: Tokyo (full darkness = end of astronomical dusk to start of dawn, altitude ≥ 15°)
Moon tonight: Waxing crescent (age 1.1 days, 1% illuminated) — Little moonlight — a good time for faint objects
It never reaches 15° at this location (maximum altitude at transit: about 14°).
Night (sunset – sunrise)
Full darkness (dusk – dawn)
Moon up (darker = brighter moon)
Best time to observe (thick line)
Now
Sunset 17:10 → Dusk 18:35 → Dawn 4:20 → Sunrise 5:45