231 replies to this topic

[Starman1]

Camelopardalis is possibily the most "transparent" of all constellations along the galactic equator, but has two of the loveliest deep sky objects you can see with a small scope - Kemble's Cascade and NGC 2403 (along with NGC 7331 the best looking of all non-Messier galaxies in the northern hemisphere)

NGC7331 is in Pegasus, and it is amazing--just a field away from Stephan's Quintet.

 

For me, the most impressive non-Messier galaxy is NGC253 in Sculptor.

 

But, overall, my favorite constellation is Sagittarius.  My observing log has 229 Objects there and I have barely dipped into what is visible and haven't gone much below -35°

My log contains 709 objects in Virgo, so obviously I have spent more time there, and there are a lot of impressive objects there, but Sagittarius has the most astounding part of the Milky Way

plus every type of deep-sky object there is, so it gets my vote.

[alphatripleplus]

what is your favorite constellation or target  and why?

 

Sagittarius - Star clouds, plus the Lagoon Nebula and Trifid Nebula are wonderful targets.

[Chris K]

In terms of shape, I like Perseus most. It has beautiful, large sweeping curves. 

[Tony Flanders]

Although it would never make my number-one spot, here's a word of appreciation for Cygnus, which dominates the Northern Hemisphere's sky on early autumn evenings.

 

Though not as spangled in dazzling stars as Orion, Scorpius, or Crux, Orion is perhaps the loveliest of the naked-eye constellations due to the superposition of its snowy Milky Way breast with its prominent skeleton of 1st- to 3rd-magnitude stars, also known as the Northern Cross. And it deserves particular note as the northern terminus of the Milky Way's spectacular Great Rift.

 

And, of course, is has arguably the sky's most spectacular double star, plus the brightest supernova remnant, plus an amazing array of emission nebulae from gigantic to tiny.

[rowdy388]

The big three for me are Sagittarius, Orion, and Cygnus. Cygnus is the only one that passes directly

overhead and the Cygnus Star Cloud is the brightest part of the Milky Way that I can see.  If forced to 

pick one that would be it but there must be at least a dozen more sentimental favorites.

[Voyager 3]

Although it would never make my number-one spot, here's a word of appreciation for Cygnus, which dominates the Northern Hemisphere's sky on early autumn evenings.

 

Though not as spangled in dazzling stars as Orion, Scorpius, or Crux, CYGNUS is perhaps the loveliest of the naked-eye constellations due to the superposition of its snowy Milky Way breast with its prominent skeleton of 1st- to 3rd-magnitude stars, also known as the Northern Cross. And it deserves particular note as the northern terminus of the Milky Way's spectacular Great Rift.

 

And, of course, is has arguably the sky's most spectacular double star, plus the brightest supernova remnant, plus an amazing array of emission nebulae from gigantic to tiny.

I think you meant Cygnus  . Agree ... Sagittarius rises nearly 55° here , I've cruised along the sag milky way but still I felt Cygnus star cloud was more rich with brighter stars  . Really a treat .

[litesong]

...... the king (in 1500)......did not even mention Octans...

How could someone in 1500, mention gasoline octanes?