348 replies to this topic

[Dave Mitsky]

Here are some tips on manually locating some of the most prominent galaxies in the Messier Catalog.


M31 (the Andromeda Galaxy)

M31 (NGC 224), the Andromeda Galaxy, is a large Sb or SA(s)b barred spiral galaxy (apparent size=185x75 arc minutes) and a member of the Local Group, as is our home galaxy, the Milky Way. M31 is inclined 77 degrees relative to the Earth. It is the brightest of the Messier galaxies (magnitude=3.4, surface brightness=13.6 magnitudes per square arc minute*) and the brightest galaxy visible to most northern hemisphere observers. M31 is best viewed in the fall and early winter. The Andromeda Galaxy can be seen without optical aid from reasonably dark sites. From light-polluted urban locations, only the core of the galaxy is visible when observed through a telescope.

M31 has four dwarf galaxy companions. Two of them, M32 (NGC 221) and M110 (NGC 205) are in close proximity. M32, a cE2 compact elliptical galaxy, is due south of M31's nucleus. M110, an E5 peculiar galaxy, ls located more distantly to the northwest of M31. M32 and M110 are the nearest bright elliptical galaxies.  M32 is rather small in apparent size but is easy to see while the much larger M110 is not due to its low surface brightness of 13.9 magnitudes per square arc minute.  Much farther away in Cassiopeia lie NGC 147 and NGC 185, types dE5 peculiar and dE3 peculiar, respectively.

It is possible to observe M31's dust lanes and other features such as globular clusters and stellar associations telescopically under very dark skies. NGC 206 is a vast star cloud similar to but larger than M24. Mayall II (M31-G1) is M31's brightest globular cluster.

http://messier.seds..../m031_n206.html

http://www.daviddarl.../Andromeda.html

http://www.astronomy...Space/gcm31.htm

http://ned.ipac.calt...las/frames.html

 

http://adsabs.harvar...AJ.....85..376H

 

Sketches of M31, M32, and M110 are posted at the following URLs:

 

http://www.deepskywa...axy-sketch.html

http://www.perezmedi...M31A_Rev3lg.jpg

Many novices are interested in learning how to locate M31 manually. Here are three ways to do it:

1. Star-hop "down 2" stars northeastward from Alpheratz (Alpha Andromedae) to Mirach (Beta Andromedae), then head northwestward "up 2" stars from Mu to Nu Andromedae. M31 is situated 1.3 degrees to the west of Nu Andromedae.  An alternative is to double the distance from Beta Andromedae to Mu Andromedae.

2. Follow the apex of the triangle formed by Schedar (Alpha Cassiopeiae), the southernmost star in Cassiopeia, and the neighboring stars Caph (Beta Cassiopeiae) and Navi (Gamma Cassiopeiae), southwestward for just over fifteen degrees.

3. Use Mirach and Alpheratz to form a near right triangle with M31. M31 lies not quite eight degrees to the northwest of Mirach and approximately fourteen degrees to the northeast of Alpheratz.

The following finder charts may prove useful:

https://freestarcharts.com/messier-31

 

http://www.astrosurf.com/jwisn/m31.htm

 

https://www.cloudyni...-andromeda-r377

 

https://www.wikihow....ndromeda-Galaxy

 

http://www.astronomy.../1/c/4/m31.ashx

 

http://www.ttgnet.co...m31-32-110.html

 

http://www.fourmilab...&fov=45.000&z=1

 

http://www.hawastsoc...ps/and/and2.gif

 

https://www.mattastr...eda-galaxy-m31/

 

https://eyesonthesky...00a3f87f597.pdf

 

Telrad finder charts for M31 can be found at the following sites: 

 

https://sherwood-obs.../messier_31.pdf

 

http://www.star-shin...charts/m031.htm

 

Browse http://www.skyhound....e/oct/M_31.html and http://messier.seds.org/m/m031.html for further information on M31.  

 

Other worthwhile sites include the following:

 

http://www.universet...475/messier-31/

 

http://www.nightskyi...ive/m31_galaxy/

 

http://www.messier-o...dromeda-galaxy/
 

https://earthsky.org...l-to-milky-way/
 

http://earthsky.org/...ndromeda-galaxy

 

https://www.wikihow....ndromeda-Galaxy

 

https://www.skyandte...rs091620151609/

 

https://static1.squa...August 2020.pdf

 

http://beskeen.com/g...y/m31/m31.shtml

 

https://tonyflanders...ate-autumn/#M31

 

https://earthsky.org...l-to-milky-way/

 

https://apod.nasa.go...d/ap130801.html

 

Short videos on M31, M32, and M110 can be seen at the following URLs:

 

http://www.deepskyvi..._andromeda.html

 

http://www.deepskyvi...cal_galaxy.html

 

http://www.deepskyvi...110_galaxy.html

 

https://m.youtube.co...h?v=7Gkfo1Q_I2s

 

* Surface brightness is the apparent brightness or flux density per unit angular area of a spatially extended deep-sky object such as a nebula or galaxy.  To convert to magnitudes per square arc second, add 8.9.

 

 

M33 (the Triangulum Galaxy)

 

M33 (NGC 598), the Triangulum Galaxy, is another galaxy that many amateur astronomers are interested in observing. M33 is a type Sc face-on spiral galaxy with a rather high integrated magnitude of 5.7 but a very low surface brightness of 14.2 magnitudes per square arc minute, making it sometimes rather difficult to discern through a telescope, especially if any significant light pollution or moonlight is present. However, M33 can be seen with the naked-eye from a very dark site and is a relatively easy binocular target under dark skies. The fall and winter are the best times of year to observe M33.

 

M33 is approximately the same distance - seven degrees - to the southeast of the second-magnitude star Beta Andromedae (Mirach) as M31 is to the northwest. The Triangulum Galaxy lies 4.3 degrees northwest of the third-magnitude star Alpha Trianguli (Mothallah). One method of locating it is to start at Alpha and go 2.5 degrees west to the sixth-magnitude star HIP 7906. The seventh-magnitude star HIP 6862 is situated 3 degrees farther west. M33 lies a bit north of a line connecting these two stars and is closer to HIP 6862, the fainter star.

 

The following web sites may prove useful in locating M33:

 

https://freestarcharts.com/messier-33

https://earthsky.org...cular-challenge

 

http://www.hawastsoc...ps/tri/tri1.gif

 

Telrad finder charts are available at these URLs:  

 

https://sherwood-obs.../messier_33.pdf

 

http://www.star-shin...charts/m033.htm

 

The views of M33 can be quite amazing through a large aperture at a dark observing site. Numerous HII regions can be detected within M33, NGC 604 being the brightest. A narrowband filter such as an Orion UltraBlock or an OIII filter such as a Lumicon OIII will enhance the views of these nebulous areas. NGC 604 is over 100 times larger than M42 and can be detected with rather small apertures. I've logged this huge star-forming region rather easily with my 101mm f/5.4 Tele Vue refractor from dark sites. Charts showing M33's HII regions and star clouds are posted at http://astronomy-mal...tar.Clouds.html and http://www.skyandtel...el110320150311/ and http://www.starkeepe.../m33_mapped.htm

 

Information on observing M33's globular clusters can be found at https://www.astronom...Space/gcm33.htm

 

For additional information on M33, click on the following links:

 

http://messier.seds.org/m/m033.html

 

http://www.theskyscr...y-in-triangulum

 

http://www.universet...008/messier-33/

 

http://www.daviddarl...lum_Galaxy.html

 

http://www.messier-o...angulum-galaxy/

 

http://www.deepskyvi...lum_galaxy.html

 

https://tonyflanders...ate-autumn/#M33

 

https://www.go-astro...php?Messier=M33

 

 

M51 (the Whirlpool Galaxy)

 

M51 (NGC 5194, integrated magnitude=8.4, surface brightness=12.6 magnitudes per square arcminute), a type SA(s)bc pec face-on spiral galaxy, and its irregular companion M51b or NGC 5195 (magnitude 9.6, surface brightness=13.1 magnitudes per square arcminute) are perhaps the most prominent example of an interacting pair of galaxies. They are best seen in the spring.

Due to the work of Lord Rosse In 1845, M51 was the first galaxy to be recognized as having a spiral shape. Of course, M51 was merely a "nebula" at that time, which was long before galaxies were determined to be objects external to the Milky Way.

M51 and NGC 5195 may be part of the M101 group of galaxies. Three supernovae have occurred in M51: SN 1994I, SN 2005cs, and SN 2011dh.

To star-hop to the Whirlpool Galaxy, proceed southwest from Alkaid (Eta Ursae Majoris), the final star in the Big Dipper's handle, to the fifth-magnitude star 24 Canum Venaticorum. Continue southwest to an isosceles triangle of seventh-magnitude stars. M51 and NGC 5195 lie just to the south of the triangle, approximately 3.5 degrees from Alkaid and 1/4 of the way to Cor Caroli (Alpha Canum Venaticorum).

Star-hops to M51 can be found at the following sites: 

 

http://www.skyledge....ssier51-hop.htm

 

https://www.britastro.org/node/12846

http://adsabs.harvar...JRASC..93..253M

 

Information on the Whirlpool Galaxy and a finder chart can be found at https://freestarcharts.com/messier-51
 

Telrad finder charts for M51 are available at the following sites:  

 

https://sherwood-obs.../messier_51.pdf

 

http://www.star-shin...charts/m051.htm

 

For further information on the Whirlpool Galaxy, consult these sites:

 

http://messier.seds.org/m/m051.html

http://www.universet...997/messier-51/

 

http://www.cloudynig...hp?item_id=1073

 

http://www.daviddarl...ool_Galaxy.html  

 

http://www.nightskyi...irlpool_galaxy/

 

https://www.messier-...irlpool-galaxy/

 

https://tonyflanders...rly-spring/#M51

 

http://www.hawastsoc...ps/cvn/cvn1.gif

 

https://www.go-astro...php?Messier=M51

 

 

M81 (Bode's Galaxy) and M82 (the Cigar Galaxy)

 

M81 (NGC 3031) and M82 (NGC 3034) are two bright galaxies in the northwestern section of Ursa Major. M81, a type Sb spiral galaxy, has an integrated magnitude of 6.9 and a surface brightness of 13.0 magnitudes per square arc minute. M82, a type Ir II irregular galaxy, shines at magnitude 8.4 and has a slightly brighter surface brightness of 12.8 magnitudes per square arc minute. M81 and M82 were discovered by the German astronomer Johann Bode on December 31, 1774. Together they are sometimes known as Bode's Nebulae.

To locate this galactic pair, pan from "above" Dubhe (Alpha Ursae Majoris) towards the "front" of Ursa Major. The next fairly bright star is 23 Ursae Majoris (magnitude 3.5). To the northwest of 23 Ursae Majoris lies a moderately bright isosceles triangle of stars consisting of Sigma 1 and Sigma 2 Ursae Majoris and Rho Ursae Majoris. Northeast of the triangle is 24 Ursae Majoris, which shines at magnitude 4.5. Southeast of 24 Ursae Majoris is a magnitude 5.7 star. M81 is immediately to the southeast of that star. M82 is situated about 2 degrees southeast of 24 Ursae Majoris and just 38 arc minutes, a bit more than the width of a Full Moon, to the north of M81. Extending a line from Phecda (Gamma Ursae Majoris) to Dubhe the same distance beyond Dubhe places one approximately one degree south of M81.

Finder charts for M81 (Bode's Galaxy) and M82 (the Cigar Galaxy) are posted at the following URLs:

https://freestarcharts.com/messier-81

https://freestarcharts.com/messier-82

 

An MP3 guide to locating M81 and M82 can be found at http://ia600708.us.a...ongtheStars.mp3

 

Telrad finder charts for M81 and M82 are available at the following URLs:  

 

https://sherwood-obs.../messier_81.pdf

https://sherwood-obs.../messier_82.pdf
 

http://avila.star-sh...charts/m081.htm

 

http://avila.star-sh...charts/m082.htm

 

For more on M81 and M82, see the following sites:

 

http://messier.seds.org/m/m081.html

http://messier.seds.org/m/m082.html

 

http://www.nightskyi...1_m82_galaxies/

 

http://www.universet...054/messier-81/

 

http://www.universet...071/messier-82/

 

http://www.messier-o...1-bodes-galaxy/

 

http://www.messier-o...2-cigar-galaxy/

 

http://www.cloudynig...ments/swuma.pdf

http://www.cloudynig...hp?item_id=1424

http://www.cloudynig...hp?item_id=2622

http://observing.sky...s/mar/M_81.html

http://www.astrofoto...AP155_U16M.html

 

http://www.deepskyvi...essier/M82.html

 

https://tonyflanders...rly-spring/#M81

 

https://oneminuteast...piral-galaxies/

 

https://www.universe...ng-m81-and-m82/

 

http://www.hawastsoc...ps/uma/uma2.gif

 

https://astrobackyar...d-m82-galaxies/

 

https://www.go-astro...php?Messier=M81

https://www.go-astro...php?Messier=M82

 

https://www.jamesleechen.com/m81-m82

 

M81 and M82 are the major members of the M81 group, which is one of the closest galactic congregations beyond the Local Group. NGC 2976 and NGC 3077 are two other member galaxies that are good targets.

 

http://messier.seds....ore/m081gr.html

 

 

M101 (the Pinwheel Galaxy)

 

M101 (NGC 5457), the Pinwheel Galaxy*, is a type Sc face-on spiral galaxy with an integrated magnitude of 7.9 and a very low surface brightness of 14.8 magnitudes per square arc minute, the lowest of all the Messier galaxies. Because of this fact, M101 is often a difficult target for amateur astronomers observing from less-than-dark sites. However, from a good dark site, this "grand design" spiral galaxy is fairly easy to detect through binoculars.

One method of locating the Pinwheel Galaxy is to imagine an isosceles triangle above the handle of the Big Dipper asterism made up of the second-magnitude star Alkaid (Eta Ursae Majoris, 85 Ursae Majoris), the final star in the handle, and the second-magnitude, naked-eye double star Mizar (Zeta Ursae Majoris, 79 Ursae Majoris) and Alcor (80 Ursae Majoris)**. M101 is located at the "upper" vertex of the triangle, as can be seen at http://www.aavso.org...1fe_chart_1.png

Another method of locating M101 is to star-hop northeastward from Mizar-Alcor (the Horse and Rider) to a chain of fifth and sixth-magnitude stars beginning with 81 Ursae Majoris. Continue eastward from 81 to 83 to 84 and finally to 86 Ursae Majoris. From 86 Ursae Majoris, proceed northeastward along a crooked "cross" of fainter stars. (Alternatively, M101 forms a right triangle with the two seventh-magnitude stars HIP 68196A and HIP 68138 north of 86 Ursae Majoris.) M101 is a bit past the top of the cross shown at http://www.theskyscr...m101_finder.png

Browse https://freestarcharts.com/messier-101 for information on M101 and a finder chart.

Telrad finder charts for the Pinwheel Galaxy can be found at these sites:  

 

https://sherwood-obs...messier_101.pdf

 

http://www.star-shin...charts/m101.htm

 

Like M33, M101 contains a number of HII regions that can be seen through larger amateur telescopes. An article on these regions is posted at http://www.robgendle...m/M101text.html

A number of eleventh-magnitude and fainter companion galaxies surround M101. 

https://www.astrobin.com/281183/

The M101 group is also likely to include the M51 group to the southeast and possibly the NGC 5866 group to the northwest.

http://www.atlasofth...lgrps/m101.html

M101 has been the host galaxy to four supernovae, the most recent being SN 2011fe. For more on this very bright type Ia supernova, browse http://www.rochester...1/sn2011fe.html

See the following sites for additional information on M101:

 

http://messier.seds.org/m/m101.html

 

http://www.universet...25/messier-101/

 

http://www.messier-o...inwheel-galaxy/

 

http://www.cosmicvoyage.net/m101.html

 

http://www.nightskyi...c5447_galaxies/

 

http://www.kopernik....rchive/m101.htm

 

http://www.cloudynig...hp?item_id=1424

 

http://www.daviddarl...dia/M/M101.html

 

http://observing.sky.../may/M_101.html

http://www.deepskyvi...1_pinwheel.html

 

https://tonyflanders...ly-spring/#M101

 

http://koenen.work/d...0&src=undefined

 

https://www.astronom...ject-month-m101

 

http://www.hawastsoc...ps/uma/uma1.gif

 

https://www.nasa.gov...pinwheel-galaxy

 

http://www.theskyscr...y-in-ursa-major

 

https://www.go-astro...hp?Messier=M101

 

* Unfortunately, M33 and M99 are also sometimes called the Pinwheel Galaxy.

 

** Mizar and Alcor are actually a sextuple star system.


M104 (the Sombrero Galaxy)

M104 (NGC 4594), commonly known as the Sombrero Galaxy, is one of the easiest-to-see galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. This type SA(s)a spiral galaxy shines at magnitude 8.0 and has the highest surface brightness (11.6 magnitudes per square arc minute) of all the Messier galaxies. 

 

http://messier.seds.org/m/m104.html

 

http://www.messier-o...ombrero-galaxy/

 

How does one go about star-hopping to the Sombrero? It's actually quite simple. Approximately 2.5 degrees to the northeast of Delta Corvi (Algorab) is a triangle of fifth and sixth-magnitude stars that points to the Stargate asterism. The Stargate is also triangular in shape and, in turn, points to an asterism to the northeast known as Jaws. Jaws lies 25 arc minutes west-northwest of M104. The brighter stars in Jaws point directly at the Sombrero Galaxy.  

http://www.skyledge....sier104-hop.htm
 

https://milwaukeeast...starhopping.asp
 

https://xt8dob.wordp...-the-stargate/ 

 

http://www.astro-pat...gate-032409.htm

 

http://www.theskyscr...sombrero-galaxy
 

An alternative method of locating M104 is by following a line of fifth and sixth-magnitude stars heading northeastward from Gamma Corvi (Gienah).
 

Another method is to star-hop from Spica (Alpha Virginis).

https://flylib.com/b...n/3.311.1.37/1/
 

See https://freestarcharts.com/messier-104 for information on M104 and a finder chart.
 

A Telrad finder chart for the Sombrero Galaxy can be found at the following URL: 

 

http://www.star-shin...charts/m104.htm

 

There's more on M104 posted at these URLs:
 

http://www.universet...64/messier-104/

 

http://www.nightskyi...ve/m104_galaxy/

 

http://www.seasky.or...to110.html#M104

 

http://scienceblogs....ro-galaxy-m104/

 

http://www.hawastsoc...ps/vir/vir4.gif

 

http://koenen.work/d...x?m=10&id=70078

 

https://tonyflanders...te-spring/#M104

 

https://www.go-astro...hp?Messier=M104

 

Click on http://www.deepskyvi...ero_galaxy.html for a short video on M104.

 

Dave Mitsky

[Maverick199]

That's a load of useful information Dave, thanks.

[Jon Isaacs]

Dave:

Thanks for taking the time to put all that together. There is a lot of good information there. A good way to hunt for these objects is start with some binoculars, not necessarily to see the objects themselves but to get a better view of the area of interest.

From my urban backyard, M31, M51, M104 and M81-82 are doable, I leave M33 and M104 to dark skies where both are visible in 40-50mm binoculars.

Jon

[craytab]

Thanks Dave! I still have yet to get M101 and I have not tried M104, didn't know that one was so accessible until now. They are on my list now for when they get up high enough!

[inept]

Thank you, this is very helpful since I'm just starting out.

Your first link is broken (it has the parentheses and period included in the link)

Edit: That link worked on the forum where I originally posted the information on M31 but not here. I've incorporated it into the final sentence in the first paragraph.

Thanks for catching it.

Dave Mitsky

[jimbo216]

Thanks Dave !

[RichieZ]

This is super helpful, Dave. Thank you! I'll use this next night out -hopefully this weekend.

[marc_rosson]

Some great information there, Very useful Nice one!

[poorman]

Excellent post Dave, thanks.

I as well have yet to glimpse M101 or M104, using the info you have provided has re-energized my desire.

[Orion58]

Thanks for putting all this information together Dave! It helps us beginners out tremendously! Great job...

[OldManInHawaii]

Thanks, this is a real good source of information & I'll be using this in the near future.

I'll never forget one of my first attempts at finding deep sky objects about 35 years ago involved positioning the scope to the specified celestial coordinates by using the setting circles on the equatorial mount without knowing much about the object itself. I got a good laugh when the scope ended up being pointed down to the ground for one of the objects I was hunting for that night!

[GpB311]

Cant wait to put this to use, thanks for putting it together. I was trying my best to find Andromeda last night, but seeing conditions, and perhaps my inexperience, just werent working with me. While not a galaxy, I did manage to find M57(Ring Nebula) and M29(Open Cluster) which I suppose qualify as my first DSOs.

[Seldom]

My scope is a homemade 6" f8 Newt whose mirror I ground and figured. M104 was the first galaxy I found, because M31 was too low in the sky. The "Jaws" and M104 lined up so I was able to confirm the smudge I was seeing was M104.

I live in a blue zone, with a fairly bright Milky Way, but M101 is my bugbear. I know EXACTLY where it is (plotted a finder sheet with Eye & Telescope), but I can't see anything at all there with 7x50 binoculars. The best I can do is to point the scope in the direction of M101 on a really dark night, and look for a faintly lighter smudge where I know it is. Then, if I rotate the scope about 1/4 degree, and the smudge doesn't move, I know I've found it. Messier must have had really dark skies. What does that say about mine?

[Novaguy]

Thanks Dave, for all this info. No wonder M101 has eluded me! I'll pick on the easier targets for early success with my scope, an Apex 90 with Antares ALP nebula filter.

[bremms]

M101 is hard to see without a very dark sky. I lived in Upstate NY and my sky was moderately dark (35 years ago) and it was not really easy in a 6"f8. I did take the scope to the bush in Quebec and I could see it pretty easily. But yes it is challenging if your sky isn't really dark.

[wookie1965]

Thank you for this i have been frustrated to say the least early March to April tried many times to find the Leo triple never found them and recently after months of rain tried to find M51 and failed many times, have recently bought a Telrad finder so now hoping combining both my finders and this post will help me find more Messiers

[Bugsi]

Galaxies are fun to hunt down, but for beginners, here's basic info that would have helped me before I got started:

1: Galaxies are really faint. They're really hard or impossibe to see in light-polluted skies. To combat this, aperture and dark skies are your friends. Either one helps.

2: Binoculars and good dark skies may be the best combination for finding galaxies. –The wide view helps locate galaxies quickly by star-hopping. Big aperture telescopes are great, but are more difficult to scan through swaths of sky.

3: Short focal length scopes on an Alt/Az mount are more useful for hunting galaxies. If you're lucky enough to have a large aperture fast scope, USE IT. If you're on a budget, dark skies are free if you simply go to them. Under dark skies, even a small aperture fast scope is a good galaxy-hunter.

4: Have patience. Andromeda is one of the easiest to find because of its size. If you're just starting out, try for it first. Have plenty of time to let your night-vision adjust. Averted vision may be necessary to see a galaxy.

5: I suppose computer guided mounts would make locating galaxies easier, but in practice I've been more successful using a starchart and star-hopping. If you're going to do that with a scope (in addition to binoculars to help you hunt), you want a Right Angle Correct Image (RACI) finder scope, and probably a correct-image prism diagonal for your scope for scanning. Once you've zeroed in on your galaxy, you can switch over to a mirror star diagonal for better viewing if you like. There is nothing more maddening that trying to mentally switch back and forth between a star chart and a reversed left-right or upside-down view for star-hopping with a scope. A Telrad finder and chart are probably great galaxy-hunting tools as well, although I've not used one.

6: You'll probably find a lot of other interesting stuff while you galaxy hunt. There's nothing like sitting on one patch of sky for finding low-earth-orbit satellites and bright double-stars. Plan on spending some extra time viewing nearby interesting objects to keep your galaxy-hunting nights interesting. I've had more nights where I was not successful finding galaxies I was hunting (due to light pollution), so having secondary targets makes your time under the stars worthwhile.

Happy hunting!

[sking0]

Very new here and this is great. Can't imaging not being able to sort any issues out in the future with this forum available.

[kenrenard]

Great information. I am trying the Messier Objects with a 72mm refractor. It has been a challenge but very rewarding. Thank you Dave for taking the time for putting the info together.

[Vinayak]

Nice information.Thanks

[johntrob]

Again, thank you for taking the time to put this info together.

John

[Dave Mitsky]

Greetings,

Presented for your enjoyment and edification are the following tips that may provide some assistance to those who are just starting out in amateur astronomy.

 

Books 

 

Nightwatch: A Practical Guide to Viewing the Universe by Terence Dickinson is considered by many to be the single best book for novice amateur astronomers. As far as other beginning observing guide books are concerned, I highly recommend Phillip S. Harrington's Star Watch: The Amateur Astronomer's Guide to Finding, Observing, and Learning About over 125 Celestial Objects and Turn Left at Orion: A Hundred Night Sky Objects to See in a Small Telescope--and How to Find Them by Dan M. Davis and Guy Consolmagno. Star-Hopping for Backyard Astronomers by Alan M. MacRobert is an excellent book on learning the technique of star-hopping but, unfortunately, it's out of print. Another out-of-print book that's worth looking for is Deep-Sky Observing with Small Telescopes by David Eicher.
 
http://www.fireflybo...ng-the-universe

http://www.philharri...n.net/swtch.htm

http://www.cambridge...te_locale=en_GB

 

https://www.amazon.c...t/dp/0933346689

 

https://www.amazon.c...e/dp/0894900757

 

At a more advanced level, The Backyard Astronomer's Guide by Terence Dickinson and Alan Dyer is a worthy guide to astronomy and amateur astronomy. Another very good, yet inexpensive, source of general information is A Field Guide to the Stars and Planets (Peterson Field Guides) by Jay M. Pasachoff. Yet another is Stars and Planets: The Most Complete Guide to the Stars, Planets, Galaxies, and Solar System - Updated and Expanded Edition (Princeton Field Guides) by Ian Ridpath and Wil Tirion. 

 

https://www.amazon.c...&s=books&sr=1-1

 

https://www.amazon.c...s/dp/0395934311

 

https://www.amazon.c...n/dp/0691177880

 

Sue French's Celestial Sampler: 60 Small-Scope Tours for Starlit Nights and Deep-Sky Wonders: A Tour of the Universe with Sky and Telescope's Sue French are two other fine books to consider.

 

https://www.amazon.c...g/dp/1931559287

 

https://www.amazon.c...h/dp/1554077931

 

The Observer's Sky Atlas: With 50 Star Charts Covering the Entire Sky by Erich Karkoschka and Objects in the Heavens by Peter Birren are two inexpensive but very handy atlases/field guides.

 

http://www.amazon.co...Q4CQPMYWF1A98MT

http://www.birrendesign.com/astro.html

 

For more advanced observers, The Night Sky Observer's Guide is the best one currently available.  

 

http://www.willbell....ook/nitesky.htm

 

As far as books on astronomy gear are concerned, the final edition of Phil Harrington's Star Ware: The Amateur Astronomer's Guide to Choosing, Buying, and Using Telescopes and Accessories is now dated but nevertheless contains some excellent information. Astronomy Hacks by Robert Thompson and Barbara Thompson is another highly-recommended book full of great tips on equipment and the art of observing. For recent reviews of astronomy equipment, the periodical Astronomy Technology Today is a good source.

http://www.philharrington.net/sw2.htm

http://shop.oreilly....780596100605.do

 

https://astronomytechnologytoday.com/

 

Note: Willmann-Bell, Inc. has closed shop. Titles are or will be available at https://shopatsky.co...s/willmann-bell

 

Ed Ting discusses a number of astronomy books and atlases for beginners in a video posted at https://m.youtube.co...h?v=dhbAEx2le7o

 

 

The Moon
 

A monthly lunar calendar is available by clicking on Moon Phases at https://www.calendar-12.com/# 
 

Information on the Moon can be found at the following URLs:

 

https://curtrenz.com/moon.html

https://upload.wikim...tCZImsof8HUNAKI

 

https://www.fourmila.../lunarform.html

 

https://nightsky.jpl...ObserveMoon.pdf

 

https://nightsky.jpl...Pxqb2SGWqZvOj7U

 

http://time.unitariu...moon/where.html

 

https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/5048

 

https://www.space.co...binoculars.html

 

https://astronomy.co...erving-the-moon

 

https://www.britastro.org/node/9279

 

https://shallowsky.com/moon/

 

Lunar maps and atlases are available at the following links:

 

https://skyandtelesc...ads/MoonMap.pdf

 

https://www.shopatsk...map-of-the-moon

 

https://www.cambridg...rnleft/the_moon

 

http://www.inconstan.../inconstant.htm

 

https://cseligman.co...ons/moonmap.htm

 

http://astrostrona.p...9shURQm7gPxnd9M

 

https://www.visit-th...com/lunar-atlas

 

https://fullmoonatlas.com/atlas/

 

The Virtual Moon Atlas can be downloaded at http://www.ap-i.net/avl/en/start

 

Articles on lunar clair-obscur phenomena such as the Lunar X and the Curtiss Cross can be found at the following links:

https://www.cloudyni...abet-soup-r3128
 

https://astronomy.co...ay--on-the-moon
 

https://astronomy.co...m-your-backyard
 

https://astronomy.co...7/lunar-letters

 

http://www.theskyscrapers.org/lunar-x

 

https://m.youtube.co...h?v=cwwJoQ-7_-E (Lunar X video)
 

https://the-moon.us/wiki/Clair-obscur

 

Browse http://www.lunar-occ...ota/iotandx.htm and http://www.lunar-occ...o/rays/rays.htm respectively for information on lunar occultations and lunar crater light rays.

 

 

The Planets

 

The major planets all orbit close to the ecliptic, the plane of the solar system.  Data on the planets and other solar system bodies can be found at https://nineplanets.org/ and https://curtrenz.com/astronomy.html

 

The apparent and comparative sizes of the planets, along with their magnitudes and distances, can be determined, for a given date and time, at https://www.timeandd...lanets/distance

 

Basic astronomical data such as sunrise and sunset times, morning and evening twilight times, moonrise and moonset times, the phase of the Moon, which naked-eye planets are visible in the evening and morning skies, rise and set times for each of them can be found at https://skyandtelesc...-coms-almanac/#

 

Data on the major planets and the dwarf planet Pluto is presented at https://www.heavens-...netSummary.aspx

 

Another online data generator for various astronomical events is available at https://astronomynow.com/almanac/

 

The graphic at https://www.astrolea...copes85x 11.pdf compares the apparent size of the bright planets to that of the Moon.

 

The article at https://britastro.or...-size-of-things discusses the sizes and distances of the planets of the solar system and a number of other celestial bodies in terms of a scale model.

 

The positions of the planets and Pluto can be ascertained by consulting http://www.nakedeyeplanets.com/

 

A chart of the solar system is available at https://www.heavens-...om/planets.aspx

 

Information on the oppositions of Mars can be found at the following links:

https://earthsky.org...ian-oppositions
 

https://cseligman.co...oppositions.htm
 

https://spider.seds....s/marsopps.html

 

Links to observing tools for some of the planets and their satellites ("moons") are posted at https://skyandtelesc...watching-tools/

 

The positions of and events involving the Galilean satellites of Jupiter can be ascertained at https://shallowsky.com/galilean/

 

A solar system simulator is available at http://space.jpl.nasa.gov/

 

 

Planispheres
 

Information on planispheres, or star wheels, which portray the locations of the constellations and bright stars at a given time and date, is posted at https://skyandtelesc...-a-planisphere/ and https://www.telescop...-a-planisphere/

Some advantages that planispheres still offer over smart phone apps are discussed at https://www.davidcha...isphere-or-app/

 

Plans for a DIY planisphere can be found at https://in-the-sky.o...phere/index.php and http://www.jodrellba...planisphere.pdf

 

An online planisphere can be found at http://www.etwright....stro/plani.html

 

Some commercially available planispheres are listed at http://www.skymaps.c...tore/cat04.html

 

 

Star Charts and the Constellations

 

Free monthly star charts are available at the following URLs:

http://skymaps.com/downloads.html

 

http://www.kenpress.com/index.htmlhart

 

https://www.telescop...thly-Star-Chart

 

Videos on how to read a simple star chart can be seen at http://www.youtube.c...h?v=QTO11vNMRJg and https://m.youtube.co...h?v=3qygnn7Zlkk

 

An online interactive star chart appears at https://skyandtelesc...tive-sky-chart/

 

Monthly star charts and articles on various aspects of observing appear in astronomy magazines like Sky & Telescope and Astronomy.

An informative video discussing astronomical objects worthy of observing each month can be found at http://hubblesite.or...y/tonights_sky/

 

Recognition quizzes on some of the major constellations can be found at the following URLs:

 

http://www.physics.c...constellations/

 

http://www.uni.edu/m...java/index.html

 

http://www.mhhe.com/..._quiz/index.htm

 

Videos on several constellations and some of the celestial objects that can be found within can be seen at https://m.youtube.co...raNkXeBncVdTevg and 

https://zachsinger.c...gory/astronomy/

 

 

Star-Hopping

 

A rudimentary tutorial on star-hopping from Ursa Major and Orion is posted at http://www.astrocent...k/starting.html

 

Click on http://cvas.cvas-nor...tar Hopping.pdf for a tutorial on the technique of star-hopping and http://www.robhawley...sh101/index.htm for an excellent video tutorial. 

There's more on the technique at the following links:

http://www.skyledge....Starhopping.htm

 

https://lovethenight...s-star-hopping/

 

https://themcdonalds...y-star-hopping/

 

http://www.nightskyi...m/star-hopping/

 

https://astro.catshi...ng-dim-objects/

 

http://www.milwaukee...starhopping.asp

 

https://www.highpoin...beginners-guide

 

https://www.stellar-...org/StarHop.htm

 

https://www.skyatnig...-the-night-sky/

 

Tutorials on three star-hops are presented at http://washedoutastr...ques/index.html

 

Some seasonal star-hops are presented at http://www.rocketmim...nomy/index.html and http://binocularsky....p?season=Winter

 

Star-hops to many celestial objects can be found at http://www.skyledge....opping-list.htm

 

A series of excellent video star-hops that begins with Sagittarius appears at https://www.youtube....h?v=r6wVBhH72KQ

 

The full list of video star-hops mentioned above is available at https://m.youtube.co...u_aIYtEYVFo4dBq

 

 

Star Atlases 

 

Active observers may eventually desire a paper star atlas in order to locate various stars and deep-sky objects or DSOs. Paper star atlases run the gamut from the simple and inexpensive to the complex and costly. Here are a few to consider: Orion's DeepMap 600, Norton's Star Atlas and Reference Handbook, 20th Edition by Ian Ridpath (Editor), Sky & Telescope's Pocket Sky Atlas and Pocket Sky Atlas – Jumbo Edition by Roger W. Sinnott, the Bright Star Atlas 2000.0 by Wil Tirion and Brian Skiff, and The Cambridge Star Atlas by Wil Tirion. The Sky Atlas 2000.0 by Wil Tirion is a more advanced and expensive atlas. The Uranometria 2000.0 goes even "deeper" in stellar magnitude and displays the positions of a greater number of deep-sky objects.  The newest high-end star atlas is the interstellarum Deep Sky Atlas.
 

Note: Willmann-Bell, Inc. has closed shop so many of its titles are currently out-of-print.

 

https://www.telescop...hart/p/4150.uts

 

http://www.amazon.co...k/dp/0131451642

 

https://shopatsky.co...-second-edition

 

https://shopatsky.co...=40525159432344

 

https://shopatsky.co...ight-star-atlas

 

http://www.amazon.co...XW/ref=sr_1_...

 

https://shopatsky.co...-desk-laminated

 

https://shopatsky.co...o-pole-coverage

 

http://www.deep-sky-...tent=start.html

 

See http://www.astronomy...s-right-for-you and http://www.skymaps.c...tore/cat01.html for more on this topic.

 

Various stellar atlases and observing guides are reviewed at http://flintriverast...ES IN PRINT.pdf

 

Free, easy-to-read star atlases are available at https://johanley.git...geon/index.html and http://www.midnightkite.com/

 

More advanced freeware star atlases can be downloaded at http://www.deepskywa...-atlas-full.pdf and https://www.cloudyni...ar-charts-r1021 and https://allans-stuff.com/triatlas/

 

 

Planetarium Programs and Apps

 

A wealth of good astronomy freeware is listed at https://www.skyandte...-and-shareware/ and https://listoffreewa...ftware-windows/

 

Stellarium, Cartes du Ciel, and C2A are all fine freeware planetarium programs. Celestia is a simulator program. The Virtual Moon Atlas - which can be downloaded without cost at http://www.ap-i.net/avl/en/start - is a great aid for lunar observing.  There are also many excellent commercial planetarium programs on the market, including MegaStar, SkyMap, Sky Tools, Starry Night, and TheSky.

SkySafari is an excellent planetarium program and much more.
 

https://skysafariastronomy.com/

 

Two planetarium programs and an app are discussed briefly at http://jeffpolston.com/software.htm

 

Lists of planetarium programs and apps can be found at https://nineplanets....arium-software/ and https://www.deepsky2...onomy-software/

 

Some of the free planetarium apps that I use include Celestron's SkyPortal, Star Chart, and Star Walk.

 

https://www.celestro...rtal-mobile-app

 

https://itunes.apple...d345542655?mt=8

 

https://itunes.apple...app/id295430577

 

A number of other surprisingly good free astronomy apps - https://www.hongkiat...targazing-apps/ and https://ioshacker.co...onomy-apps-2017 - are also available.  

Other astronomy apps are discussed in the articles at https://astronomy.co...rgazing-in-2022 and https://www.iphonene...ons-for-iphone/

 

The SkyHopper web app for smartphones is available at https://artyom-beili....io/manual.html

 

These online planetarium programs may prove useful:

 

http://www.sky-map.org/

 

http://www.skymaponline.net/

 

http://neave.com/planetarium/

 

http://www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky/

 

http://www.shallowsky.com/sky.html

 

http://www.skyviewcafe.com/skyview.php

 

http://staratlas.com....html#topofpage

 

http://www.astronomy.com/stardome.aspx

 

http://www.wundergro...m/sky/index.asp

 

http://skychart.skya...om/skychart.php

 

http://www.cloudynig...hp?item_id=1052

 

http://www.geocities...85/atlas_85.htm

 

http://www.pbs.org/s...ky-tonight.html

 

https://www.heavens-...lt=170.0&tz=EST

 

https://vanderbei.pr...tWSVCaqqqDWlk0M

 

 

Online Finder Charts and Deep-Sky Observing
 

Browse https://freestarchar...ssier-catalogue for finder charts for the 110 objects in the Messier Catalog.

 

Finder charts for various NGC and IC objects are available at https://freestarcharts.com/ngc-ic

 

Additional finder charts for various deep-sky objects can be found in the Seasonal Skies sections at https://www.cambridge.org/turnleft

 

The Telrad (Telescope Reticle Aiming Device) is a very handy 1x (non-magnifying) reflex sight finder.  

 

https://telescopegui...r-hopping-tool/

 

http://company7.com/...cts/telrad.html
 

http://astro-tom.com...nder_scopes.htm

 

Telrad finder charts for the Messier objects are posted at these web sites: 

 

https://sherwood-obs...messier-finders

 

http://avila.star-sh...ssierTelrad.htm
 

http://www.astro-tom...essier_maps.htm

 

http://astrohum.org/tumol.pdf

Telrad finder charts for the RASC's Finest NGC Objects are available at https://www.rasc.ca/...s/finestngc.pdf

 

Printed Telrad finder charts are available at https://sky-spot.com/charts.htm

 

Additional information on observing deep-sky objects can be found at these sites: 

 

http://www.messier.s...ar/similar.html

 

http://observing.sky...m/archives.html

 

https://observing.sk....com/dso_1.html

 

https://skyandtelesc...watch/deep-sky/
 

https://astronomy.co...ur-the-deep-sky

 

https://astronomy.co...03/the-deep-sky

 

https://skynews.ca/c...s-and-deep-sky/

 

https://www.astronom...e/steve.ngc.htm

 

http://www.billthesk...what-to-look-at

 

Videos by professional astronomers on the Messier objects and other astronomical topics can be seen at http://www.deepskyvideos.com/

 

Surface brightness, which is the apparent brightness per unit of angular area of an extended object, is an important aspect of DSO observing.  
 

https://tonyflanders...ace-brightness/

 

https://astrobuysell.com/paul/sb.htm
 

https://martins-arti...brightness.html

 

https://astronomy.co...face-brightness

 

It's possible to observe all of the Messier objects during a single night around the time of the vernal equinox, if the Moon phase and local latitude are favorable.  For information on running a so-called Messier Marathon, browse http://messier.seds....n/marathon.html and http://www.richardbe...t/marathon.html and https://www.robhawley.net/mm/

 

 

LPR (Light Pollution Reduction) and Nebula Filters

Narrowband, O-III, and H-beta filters can be very useful for observing emission and planetary nebulae and are discussed at the following links:
 

https://www.prairiea...ep-sky-objects/

 

https://www.prairiea...common-nebulae/

 

https://astronomy.co...ula_filters.pdf

 

http://karmalimbo.co...lters-findD.htm

 

http://karmalimbo.co...ilters-useD.htm

 

 

Lists of Celestial Objects

 

Deep-sky object list generators can be found at these URLs:

 

https://telescopius.com/

http://www.virtualcolony.com/sac/

http://tonightssky.com/MainPage.php

 

Lists of DSOs, binary stars, and colorful carbon stars can be found at these URLs:

 

https://prescottastr...ier-Objects.pdf (the Messier Catalogue)

 

https://www.messier-...er-object-list/ (the Messier Catalogue)

 

http://messier.seds....r/sac110bn.html (the SAC's best objects in the NGC list)

 

http://messier.seds....r/rasc-ngc.html (the RASC's finest NGC objects list)

 

http://www.tyler.net...pot/saa100.html (the sci.astro.amateur 100)

 

https://www.cloudyni...tach_id=2303222 (Will's list of 100 objects for beginners)

 

https://mikehotka.com/TAAS200.htm (the TAAS 200)

 

https://prescottastr...-Showpieces.pdf (Telescope Showpieces by Month)

 

https://www.astrolea...00/h400lstn.pdf (the Astronomical League's Herschel 400)

 

https://www.vicmenard.com/the_list.pdf  (Vic Menard's list of 400 objects)

 

https://www.cloudyni...-best-dso-list/ (Don Pensack's 500 Best Deep Sky Objects List)

 

http://www.raycash.org/dm600.htm (the Orion Deep Map 600)

 

http://www.clarkvisi...appendix-e.html (Roger Clark's catalog of 611 deep-sky objects)

 

http://messier.seds....lar/BElistA.txt (the Boyd Edwards list of 884 objects)

 

http://messier.seds....milar/m1000.txt (the Magnificent 1000 by Tom Hoffelder)

 

https://astropix.com.../doubles01.html (naked-eye binary stars)

 

http://www.astroleag...r/dblstar2.html (binary stars)

 

http://www.skyandtel...h/double-stars/ (binary stars)

https://skyandtelesc...s-for-everyone/ (binary stars)
 

https://astronomy.co...-variable-stars (binary stars)

 

http://www.jouscout....nt/belmontd.htm (binary stars)

 

http://www.carbonar.es/s33/33.html (binary stars)

http://www.astro.gsu.edu/wds/ (binary stars)

http://www.midnightk...aspx?URL=Visual (binary stars)

https://www.go-astro...ouble-stars.php (binary stars)

https://astronomy.co...st-double-stars (binary stars)

 

https://prescottastr...Double-Star.pdf (binary stars)

 

https://www.astrolea...bonStarLog3.pdf (carbon stars)

 

http://www.skyandtel...-red1203201401/ (carbon stars)

 

http://www.astrosurf...iar2/carbon.htm (carbon stars)

 

http://www.nckas.org/carbonstars/ (carbon stars)

 

An article discussing what various celestial objects really look like through a telescope appears at http://www.deepskywa...-telescope.html

 

 

Binocular Astronomy

 

Binoculars are a great way to get started in observational amateur astronomy. These instruments are relatively inexpensive and are eminently portable and easy to use. Using both eyes definitely enhances the visual experience.

 

Binoculars are ideal for showing the "big picture". They can readily display objects that are too large to fit into the fields of view of most telescopes. In addition, binoculars can often be useful in "surveying" the area where an object is located prior to conducting a telescopic star-hop.

 

A surprising number of celestial objects, including many binary stars, open and globular star clusters, nebulae, and some of the brighter galaxies, can be detected with binoculars. Scanning through the heart of the Milky Way with a binocular from a very dark site is a very memorable experience.

 

I recommend purchasing a 10x50 (i.e., 10 power and 50mm aperture) binocular for astronomical use. A 10x50 binocular is usually not overly heavy for most people to hand-hold and provides a 5mm exit pupil that will be appropriate for most observers when age and observing site darkness are taken into account. People who must wear eyeglasses while observing may want to look for a binocular with at least 14mm of eye relief.

 

Most binoculars are made in China nowadays and are sold by a variety of vendors under a host of different brand names. Some of them have surprisingly good optics. Celestron, Nikon, Oberwerk, Orion, and Pentax are good mid-price brands to consider. 

Reclining in a lounge or zero gravity chair makes hand-held binocular observing far easier. 

Mounting a binocular on a tripod or a dedicated binocular mount (guider) will improve views markedly. Information on binocular mounts is posted at http://www.cloudynig...ts/thoughts.pdf and http://binocularsky....binoc_mount.php

 

An alternative method of mounting binoculars is discussed in the article posted at https://skyandtelesc...our-binoculars/

Image stabilized binoculars are very expensive but work very well indeed.

https://www.astronom...lars-pros-cons/

https://deanoptics.c...ulars-worth-it/

 

https://www.odysseym...zed-binoculars/

 

A glossary of optical terms pertaining to binoculars is posted at https://www.bestbino...-binoculars.php
 

Articles with advice on buying binoculars and with discussions regarding the physics of magnification and other aspects of binocular performance can be found at the following URLs:

https://binocularsky.com/index.php

 

http://www.universet...-for-astronomy/

 

https://skyandtelesc...-for-astronomy/

 

https://www.rei.com/...binoculars.html

 

https://www.space.co...ying-guide.html

 

https://www.avianrep...ure-binoculars/

 

https://bestofbinocu...tion-explained/

 

https://astronomy.co...t-sky-observing

 

https://opticsmag.co...3tlg_NIebtGpBVo

 

https://www.planetgu...-for-astronomy/

 

https://www.bestbino....com/astronomy/

 

https://oberwerk.com...stions-answers/

 

https://binocular.ch...-facts-figures/

 

https://www.astrolea...ying Basics.pdf

 

Reviews of binoculars useful for astronomy can be found at https://astrogeartod...ews/binoculars/ and https://moonandback....omy-binoculars/

 

In my opinion, the best binocular observing guidebooks currently available are Touring the Universe through Binoculars: A Complete Astronomer's Guidebook by Phil Harrington, Binocular Astronomy by Craig Crossen & Wil Tirion, Binocular Highlights: 109 Celestial Sights for Binocular Users by Gary Seronik, and Observing the Night Sky with Binoculars by Stephen O'Meara.

 

http://www.philharrington.net/sw8.htm

 

https://shopatsky.co...=40765852352664

 

https://shopatsky.co...-second-edition

 

http://www.cambridge...n=9780521721707

 

Phil Harrington discusses various targets in his Cloudy Nights Binocular Universe column at http://cloudynights....category_id=182 and in a monthly column in Astronomy. He offers an excellent freeware planetarium program known as TUBA (Touring the Universe through Binoculars Atlas), which also includes information on purchasing binoculars, at http://www.philharrington.net/tuba.htm

Mr. Harrington gives a podcast talk on using binoculars to observe the night sky at https://podcast.meet...-sky-binoculars

Phil's StarFest 2020 talk on binocular astronomy can be seen at https://m.youtube.co...eature=youtu.be

One of Phil's Cosmic Challenge articles on Cloudy Nights deals with observing the high-proper-motion binary star 61 Cygni using binoculars.

https://www.cloudyni...ying-star-r3111

 

Gary Seronik's Binocular Stargazing Archives contains reviews of various binoculars and information on binocular observing.

https://garyseronik....lar_stargazing/
 

Two episodes of The Actual Astronomy podcast discuss binoculars and binocular astronomy.
 

https://actualastron...omy-binoculars/
 

https://actualastron...out-binoculars/

 

Tips on binocular astronomy are available at the following sites:

 

http://carolrpt.com/...ev9complete.pdf

http://binocularsky.com/

http://www.stargazin...vid/binoculars/

 

http://saguaroastro.org/binoculars/

 

https://earthsky.org...-for-stargazing

 

https://www.skyatnig...culars-a-guide/

 

https://eos.org/geof...cular-astronomy

 

https://starlust.org...ith-binoculars/

 

A monthly newsletter on binocular observing is available at http://binocularsky...._subscribe.php#

 

Articles on observing the Moon with binoculars can be found at https://www.bestbino...-binoculars-02/ and https://skynews.ca/v...pphD1gc6W__d9gI and https://astronomy.co...ough-binoculars

 

An article on observing objects in the solar system is posted at https://earthsky.org...js9Jxcj-1lqIWiQ

 

Videos on observing with binoculars can be seen at http://www.youtube.c...h?v=wAnAZz-ZPJ0 and https://www.youtube....h?v=6fHKG9tkPQU and https://m.youtube.co...Solgh2&index=20

 

Numerous videos dealing with binocular astronomy are available at https://www.youtube....s for astronomy

 

Lists of binary stars that can be resolved with binoculars appear at http://www.carbonar....inodoubles.html and https://www.astrolea...e Star List.pdf

 

The summer Milky Way is a treasure trove of deep sky objects, as described in the following links:

 

https://www.astronom...-swim-milky-way

 

https://www.insighto...-milky-way.html

 

Observing dark nebulae in the summer Milky Way is discussed at https://skyandtelesc...for-binoculars/

 

Videos on seasonal viewing of a number of DSOs can be found at https://www.eyesonth...lars-on-the-sky

 

Ten binocular targets in the autumn sky are listed in the article at https://www.skyatnig...targets-autumn/
 

An article on observing M31 (the Andromeda Galaxy) with binoculars can be found at https://skyandtelesc...rs091620151609/

 

This website discusses a number of deep-sky objects that can be seen through binoculars.

See http://astrogeek.wor...ocular-objects/ for a long list of binocular targets.

 

Other binocular DSO lists include the ones at the following URLs:

https://www.go-astro...p20-objects.htm

 

http://www.fjastrono...essier-project/

http://www.fjastrono...erving-project/

 

https://www.messier....lar/albi-d.html

 

https://www.messier....lar/albi-s.html

 

https://www.cloudyni...s/binocular.pdf

 

https://skyandtelesc...talogue-2-1.pdf

 

https://drive.google...N4ZGNZP6M1/view

 

https://earthsky.org...ebula-clusters/

 

https://eyesonthesky...lars-on-the-sky

 

https://prescottastr...-Showpieces.pdf

 

Monthly lists of binocular deep-sky objects can be found in my Celestial Calendar in the Celestial Events section of Cloudy Nights.

 

A list of binocular objects is included with each monthly Evening Sky Map at http://skymaps.com/downloads.html

The RASC Binocular Deep Sky Observing list is posted at http://calgary.rasc....Certificate.pdf

 

A list of DSOs that are large in apparent size, some of which are appropriate targets for binoculars, titled Wide-Field Wonders appears in the yearly RASC Observer's Handbook. 

 

Sketches of a number of deep-sky objects as seen through binoculars can be found at http://rodelaet.xtre..._astronomy.html
 

 

Urban Astronomy

 

The vast majority of deep-sky objects visible in amateur telescopes are quite faint and are best seen from a dark location. Stargazing from light-polluted locales can be quite challenging. However, there are a number of DSOs that can be seen by urban observers. The Moon, the bright planets, bright carbon stars, bright binary stars, bright open and globular clusters, bright nebulae, and bright galaxies are all possible targets.

 

Light pollution reduction and nebula filters may be useful to some degree on certain nebulae.  However, the rising use of broadband LED lighting may render such filters ineffective.

https://www.prairiea...ep-sky-objects/

https://www.cloudyni...mparisons-r1471

Tips on city observing are posted at the following URLs:

 

http://www.astroleag...n/urbantip.html

 

https://skyandtelesc...-from-the-city/

 

https://skyandtelesc...yDeepSky111.pdf

 

http://www.astronomy...stargazing.aspx

 

https://cloudbreakop...urban-telescope

 

Urban astronomy is also discussed at these sites:

http://www.dirtyskies.com/

 

http://washedoutastronomy.com/

 

http://urbanastronomer.blogspot.com/

 

https://tonyflanders.wordpress.com/urbansuburban-messier-project/

 

https://www.highpoin...ars-in-the-city

 

Books on the subject include Urban Astronomy by Denis Berthier and The Urban Astronomer's Guide: A Walking Tour of the Cosmos for City Sky Watchers (Patrick Moore's Practical Astronomy Series) by Rod Mollise.

 

http://www.amazon.co...r/dp/052153190X

http://www.amazon.co...y/dp/1846282160

Lists of binary stars and deep-sky objects that are visible from urban areas can be found at the following URLs:
 
https://www.astrolea...an/urbanls.html
 

https://www.astrolea...an/urbanld.html

 

http://www.covington...iles/index.html

 

http://las-skycamp.o...n_List_v2_0.pdf (spelling errors)

https://skyandtelesc...polluted-skies/

 

https://skyandtelesc...yDeepSky111.pdf

 

http://www.astronomy...y delights.aspx

 

https://themcdonalds...ronomy-targets/

 

Additional Resources

 

Daily, weekly, and monthly astronomy updates are available at these URLs:

https://stardate.org/
 
http://earthsky.org/tonight

http://stardate.org/nightsky

 

https://nightsky.jpl...gov/planner.cfm

 

http://www.skyandtel...rving/ataglance

 
http://www.astronomy...g/sky-this-week

 

https://skynews.ca/c.../the-sky-today/

 

http://astrogeo.ca/skylights/

 

https://www.telescop...ght-Sky-Tonight

 

https://astronomy.co...ith-dave-eicher

 

https://skyandtelesc...onomy-podcasts/

 

https://actualastronomy.com/

 

http://www.astronomy.../sky-this-month

 

https://www.telescop...nth&src=footer2

 

http://www.nightskyo...sky-this-month/

 

https://hubblesite.o...es/tonights-sky

 

https://skynews.ca/c...ts-at-a-glance/

 

https://solarsystem....tips-from-nasa/

http://skymaps.com/articles/

 

https://nightsky.jpl....cfm?Doc_ID=629

 

https://www.telescop...c/9/com/768.uts

 

https://www.cfa.harvard.edu/skyreport

 

http://www.seasky.or...ar-current.html

 

The following web sites contain worthwhile information on many different aspects of astronomy and amateur astronomy:

 

http://www.skyandtelescope.com/letsgo

http://www.skyandtel...om/howto/basics

http://www.skyandtel...serving/objects

http://www.skyandtel...visualobserving

http://www.enchanted...onomy/glossary/

http://www.astronomy.../Intro Sky.aspx

http://www.hobbyspac...nomy/index.html

 

https://astronomy.co...q=Astronomy 101

 

http://www.astromax....rse/history.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk...rammes/b019h4g8

 

http://www.daviddarl...clopedias1.html

 

http://oneminuteastronomer.com/
 
http://stardate.org/astro-guide
 
http://nineplanets.org/

http://www.space.com/

http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/

http://heavens-above.com/

http://www.spaceweather.com/

http://www.observingsites.com/
 

http://stars.astro.i...ow/sowlist.html

http://www.atlasofth....com/index.html

http://www.skynews.c...s/backyard.html

http://www.astrocent.../beginners.html

http://www.opticspla...rving-tips.html

http://www.wwnorton....singscopes.html
 
http://tonightssky.com/MainPage.php
 

https://oneminuteast...ight-sky-guide/

 

https://www.skyatnig...myforbeginners/

 

https://skyandtelesc...ing-simplified/

 

https://www.learnthesky.com/

 

https://www.skyatnig...rs-should-know/

 

Dave Mitsky

[cliffy54]

Great Stuff, Great Links. Thanks

[Gregen]

Thanks for the great advice! I love the backyard astronomer's guide!

[kenrenard]

Thank you Dave,
I just picked up star hopping for backyard astronomers on amazon for under $3.00.

Great information


Ken