Observer's guide
About Hubble's Variable Nebula
Hubble's Variable Nebula (C46) is catalogued as a reflection nebula in Monoceros. Its J2000 position is RA 06:39:10, Dec +08:44:00, corresponding to 99.7915 degrees RA and 8.736 degrees Dec. The local catalogue places it about 2,500 light-years away. No consistent angular diameter is available in the source record.
Observing tips
This is rated as a very hard target at magnitude 9. It is associated with winter observing, with midnight placement typically strongest around December. From 52 degrees north its theoretical meridian altitude is about 46.7 degrees; local horizons and the live altitude chart determine the practical window.
Because it is faint, use a larger aperture where possible, avoid bright Moon conditions, and use averted vision.
What to expect
The SIMBAD classification for the matched source is Ae*. A published radial velocity value is 572.2 km/s. The SIMBAD record currently connects it to 527 bibliographic references.
Confirm the framing in the live sky atlas before choosing a field of view. Use the listed unknown arcminute extent to check framing, and treat catalogue magnitude as integrated brightness rather than a direct measure of visual contrast.