💫 NGC 2736 (Pencil Nebula)
Object data
| Type | Emission nebula |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Vela |
| Right ascension | 9h00m16.9s (135.0705°) |
| Declination | -45°56'53" (-45.9481°) |
| Magnitude | (no magnitude data) |
| Apparent size | 30′ × 7′ |
| Other designations | NGC 2736 |
An emission nebula in Vela.
Midnight transit date (best season to observe and image)
Location: Tokyo (change)
Around Jan 31, 2026
The date it transits around midnight (transit altitude about 8°)
This date has already passed this year. Next year (2027) it will be around Feb 1.
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 8°).
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