Coalsack Nebula
Also known as C099
Coalsack Nebula is a dark nebula in the constellation Crux, about 620 light-years from Earth.
Dark nebula next to the Southern Cross
Facts
| Type | Dark nebula |
|---|---|
| Constellation | Crux |
| Position (J2000) | 12h 31m 19s, −63° 44′ |
| Distance | 620 light-years (its light set off about 620 years ago) |
| Filter | No filter (A dark nebula is seen against the stars behind it; a wide, dark field shows it best.) |
| Studied in | 276 scientific papers (SIMBAD) |
When and how to see it
Coalsack Nebula is highest in the sky at midnight in March. From India (about 20° N) it climbs to about 6° above the horizon; from 50° N it never rises.
Heights are worked out for India and for 50° N. Set your location in Settings to see them for where you are.
For tonight's best time from your own town, the darkness and the Moon, open it on the map and see its "Tonight from your location" card.
More in Crux
Everything in Crux · All 88 constellations · All sky objects
Data: SIMBAD (CDS, Strasbourg; the site's weekly copy) · OpenNGC · Data sources & credits