Observing Resources

Month

Object

Type

Brightness

Size

Telescope Suggested

Notes

Links

January

Pleiades (M 45)

open cluster

1.6

110′

binoculars or wide-field telescope

100 Myr-old star cluster, 440 lyr away, containing ~500 members total. Brightest stars are

1

(7:30-9 pm EST)

Orion Nebula (M 42)

emission nebula

4.0

85′ x 60′

>= 12″

Bright emission nebula inside the nearest star-forming region. The four 1 Myr-old “Trapezium” stars at the heart are responsible for ionizing the surrounding gas and making it glow. 1.3 klyr away.

1 2

M 34

Open Cluster

6 mag

35′

>= 6″

intermediate aged star cluster (several hundred Myr old), 1.5 klyr away, 7 light years in diameter, 100 members in total (20 of which are easily seen in a small telescope)

1 2

M 36

open cluster

6.3

12′

>= 6″

about 60 stars, 25 Myr old, 4 klyr away, 15 lyr wide.

1

M 37

open cluster

6.2

24′

>= 12″

According to Burnham’s, the finest of the three Messier objects in Auriga, but needs larger aperture to resolve. Prominent red giant member lends the description of a “ruby in a field of diamonds”. ~100 stars visible in a small telescope. 4 klyr away, 25 lyr wide, 300 Myr old

1

M 38

open cluster

7.4

21′

>= 8″

4 klyr away, 25 lyr wide, 200 Myr old.

1

NGC 2264

open cluster

3.9

20′

>= 6″

Christmas Tree Cluster, a splendid young star cluster embedded in an emission nebula (the latter impossible to see from NYC). 2.6 klyr away, ~3 Myr old. The brightest member is a binary type O star.

1 2

NGC 2244

open cluster

4.8

24′

>= 6″

An OB association inside the famous Rosette Nebula (which is unfortunately impossible to see from NYC), 5.2 klyr away, just a few Myr old

1 2

M 35

open cluster

5.3

28′

>= 6″

~100 stars visible in a small telescope. 3 klyr away, 100 Myr old

1

M 52

Open Cluster

7 mag

13′

>= 8″

V-shaped salt+pepper star cluster, resolved in any telescope. 5 klyr distant, 35 Myr old

1 2

Double Cluster (NGC 869 + 884)

Open Cluster

4 mag

60′

binoculars or wide-field telescope

Two bright, resolved star clusters side by side. Needs a wide FOV. Both are young clusters, 7 klyr away, ~14 Myr old, containing luminous B stars.

1 2 3 4 5

Owl Cluster (NGC 457)

Open Cluster

6 mag

13′

>= 6″

10 klyr distant star cluster shaped like a bird with outstretched wings, with two bright stars for eyes. Aka the “ET” cluster. Nice with 12″ dob. The brightest of the “eyes” is actually foreground star, while the dimmer “eye” is a true member, a B supergiant

1 2

Andromeda Galaxy (M 31)

Spiral galaxy (Sb)

3.4 mag

178’x63′

>= 12″

Can only see core in telescope, appears as faint, white cloud. 2.5 Mlyr distant. Less massive than the Milky Way, but slightly more luminous (more stars). Andromeda is moving towards the Milky Way at ~70 mi/s; collision expected to occur in ~2.5 Gyr.

1 2

Rigel (Beta Orionis)

Blue supergiant and double star

0.1 and 6.7 mag

9.4″ apart

>= 6″

Rigel is one of the brightest stars in the sky and most luminous stars in the galaxy at an impressive zero magnitude with a distance of somewhere between 700 and 900 light years means it has a luminosity in excess of 40000 times that of the Sun. Its visual binary companion is much fainter and difficult to see due to the primary’s brightness. With a physical separation of roughly 2000 AU, no orbital motion has been detected, but they both exhibit similar proper motions trajectories.

1 2

Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis)

Red supergiant

0.2-1.5

naked eye

600 ly distant. Radius is 100 times that of Sun, and luminosity is 100,000 times that of the Sun. One of the largest stars known, and one of the first stars to be resolved by optical interferometers. Observations have revealed starspots and variable size. A core collapse supernova is imminent.

1 2

Almach (Gamma Andromedae)

blue and gold double star

2.3 and 5.1 mag

10″ apart

>= binoculars

Often considered the most beautiful high color contrast double star in the sky, even superior to Albireo. The pair is 350 light years distant. The redder and brighter one is a K giant, while the secondary itself is an unresolvable triple star system containing A and B dwarf stars.

1 2

February

Orion Nebula (M 42)

emission nebula

4.0

85′ x 60′

>= 12″

Bright emission nebula inside the nearest star-forming region. The four 1 Myr-old “Trapezium” stars at the heart are responsible for ionizing the surrounding gas and making it glow. 1.3 klyr away.

1 2

(7:30-9 pm EST)

NGC 2264

open cluster

3.9

20′

>= 6″

Christmas Tree Cluster, a splendid young star cluster embedded in an emission nebula (the latter impossible to see from NYC). 2.6 klyr away, ~3 Myr old. The brightest member is a binary type O star.

1 2

NGC 2244

open cluster

4.8

24′

>= 6″

An OB association inside the famous Rosette Nebula (which is unfortunately impossible to see from NYC), 5.2 klyr away, just a few Myr old

1 2

M 35

open cluster

5.3

28′

>= 6″

~100 stars visible in a small telescope. 3 klyr away, 100 Myr old

1

M 36

open cluster

6.3

12′

>= 6″

about 60 stars, 25 Myr old, 4 klyr away, 15 lyr wide.

1

M 37

open cluster

6.2

24′

>= 12″

According to Burnham’s, the finest of the three Messier objects in Auriga, but needs larger aperture to resolve. Prominent red giant member lends the description of a “ruby in a field of diamonds”. ~100 stars visible in a small telescope. 4 klyr away, 25 lyr wide, 300 Myr old

1

M 38

open cluster

7.4

21′

>= 8″

4 klyr away, 25 lyr wide, 200 Myr old.

1

Pleiades (M 45)

open cluster

1.6

110′

binoculars or wide-field telescope

100 Myr-old star cluster, 440 lyr away, containing ~500 members total. Brightest stars are

1

M 34

Open Cluster

6 mag

35′

>= 6″

intermediate aged star cluster (several hundred Myr old), 1.5 klyr away, 7 light years in diameter, 100 members in total (20 of which are easily seen in a small telescope)

1 2

Beehive Cluster (M 44)

open cluster

3.6

95′

binoculars or wide-field telescope

750 Myr old, 600 lyr away

1

M 52

Open Cluster

7 mag

13′

>= 8″

V-shaped salt+pepper star cluster, resolved in any telescope. 5 klyr distant, 35 Myr old

1 2

M81 + M82

interacting galaxy pair

7.9, 9.3

37′ separation

12″ dob with wide-field eyepiece

M81 appears as a fuzzy white spot; M82 is fainter and noticeably elongated. They are both 12 Mlyr away–the farthest you can see into space with a small telescope from NYC! Quoth the APOD: “The gravity from each galaxy dramatically affects the other during each hundred million-year pass. Last go-round, M82’s gravity likely raised density waves rippling around M81, resulting in the richness of M81’s spiral arms. But M81 left M82 with violent star forming regions and colliding gas clouds so energetic the galaxy glows in X-rays. In a few billion years only one galaxy will remain.”

1 2 3 4 5

Double Cluster (NGC 869 + 884)

Open Cluster

4 mag

60′

binoculars or wide-field telescope

Two bright, resolved star clusters side by side. Needs a wide FOV. Both are young clusters, 7 klyr away, ~14 Myr old, containing luminous B stars.

1 2 3 4 5

Owl Cluster (NGC 457)

Open Cluster

6 mag

13′

>= 6″

10 klyr distant star cluster shaped like a bird with outstretched wings, with two bright stars for eyes. Aka the “ET” cluster. Nice with 12″ dob. The brightest of the “eyes” is actually foreground star, while the dimmer “eye” is a true member, a B supergiant

1 2

Rigel (Beta Orionis)

Blue supergiant and double star

0.1 and 6.7 mag

9.4″ apart

>= 6″

Rigel is one of the brightest stars in the sky and most luminous stars in the galaxy at an impressive zero magnitude with a distance of somewhere between 700 and 900 light years means it has a luminosity in excess of 40000 times that of the Sun. Its visual binary companion is much fainter and difficult to see due to the primary’s brightness. With a physical separation of roughly 2000 AU, no orbital motion has been detected, but they both exhibit similar proper motions trajectories.

1 2

Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis)

Red supergiant

0.2-1.5

naked eye

600 ly distant. Radius is 100 times that of Sun, and luminosity is 100,000 times that of the Sun. One of the largest stars known, and one of the first stars to be resolved by optical interferometers. Observations have revealed starspots and variable size. A core collapse supernova is imminent.

1 2

Almach (Gamma Andromedae)

blue and gold double star

2.3 and 5.1 mag

10″ apart

>= binoculars

Often considered the most beautiful high color contrast double star in the sky, even superior to Albireo. The pair is 350 light years distant. The redder and brighter one is a K giant, while the secondary itself is an unresolvable triple star system containing A and B dwarf stars.

1 2

March

Beehive Cluster (M 44)

open cluster

3.6

95′

binoculars or wide-field telescope

750 Myr old, 600 lyr away

1

(7:30-9 pm EST)

M 35

open cluster

5.3

28′

>= 6″

~100 stars visible in a small telescope. 3 klyr away, 100 Myr old

1

M 37

open cluster

6.2

24′

>= 12″

According to Burnham’s, the finest of the three Messier objects in Auriga, but needs larger aperture to resolve. Prominent red giant member lends the description of a “ruby in a field of diamonds”. ~100 stars visible in a small telescope. 4 klyr away, 25 lyr wide, 300 Myr old

1

NGC 2264

open cluster

3.9

20′

>= 6″

Christmas Tree Cluster, a splendid young star cluster embedded in an emission nebula (the latter impossible to see from NYC). 2.6 klyr away, ~3 Myr old. The brightest member is a binary type O star.

1 2

NGC 2244

open cluster

4.8

24′

>= 6″

An OB association inside the famous Rosette Nebula (which is unfortunately impossible to see from NYC), 5.2 klyr away, just a few Myr old

1 2

M81 + M82

interacting galaxy pair

7.9, 9.3

37′ separation

12″ dob + wide-field eyepiece

M81 appears as a fuzzy white spot; M82 is fainter and noticeably elongated. They are both 12 Mlyr away–the farthest you can see into space with a small telescope from NYC! Quoth the APOD: “The gravity from each galaxy dramatically affects the other during each hundred million-year pass. Last go-round, M82’s gravity likely raised density waves rippling around M81, resulting in the richness of M81’s spiral arms. But M81 left M82 with violent star forming regions and colliding gas clouds so energetic the galaxy glows in X-rays. In a few billion years only one galaxy will remain.”

1 2 3 4 5

Orion Nebula (M 42)

emission nebula

4.0

85′ x 60′

>= 12″

Bright emission nebula inside the nearest star-forming region. The four 1 Myr-old “Trapezium” stars at the heart are responsible for ionizing the surrounding gas and making it glow. 1.3 klyr away.

1 2

Pleiades (M 45)

open cluster

1.6

110′

binoculars or wide-field telescope

100 Myr-old star cluster, 440 lyr away, containing ~500 members total. Brightest stars are

1

M 34

Open Cluster

6 mag

35′

>= 6″

intermediate aged star cluster (several hundred Myr old), 1.5 klyr away, 7 light years in diameter, 100 members in total (20 of which are easily seen in a small telescope)

1 2

M 36

open cluster

6.3

12′

>= 6″

about 60 stars, 25 Myr old, 4 klyr away, 15 lyr wide.

1

M 38

open cluster

7.4

21′

>= 8″

4 klyr away, 25 lyr wide, 200 Myr old.

1

Double Cluster (NGC 869 + 884)

Open Cluster

4 mag

60′

binoculars or wide-field telescope

Two bright, resolved star clusters side by side. Needs a wide FOV. Both are young clusters, 7 klyr away, ~14 Myr old, containing luminous B stars.

1 2 3 4 5

Rigel (Beta Orionis)

Blue supergiant and double star

0.1 and 6.7 mag

9.4″ apart

>=6″

Rigel is one of the brightest stars in the sky and most luminous stars in the galaxy at an impressive zero magnitude with a distance of somewhere between 700 and 900 light years means it has a luminosity in excess of 40000 times that of the Sun. Its visual binary companion is much fainter and difficult to see due to the primary’s brightness. With a physical separation of roughly 2000 AU, no orbital motion has been detected, but they both exhibit similar proper motions trajectories.

1 2

Betelgeuse (Alpha Orionis)

Red supergiant

0.2-1.5

naked eye

600 ly distant. Radius is 100 times that of Sun, and luminosity is 100,000 times that of the Sun. One of the largest stars known, and one of the first stars to be resolved by optical interferometers. Observations have revealed starspots and variable size. A core collapse supernova is imminent.

1 2

April

M81 + M82

interacting galaxy pair

7.9, 9.3

37′ separation

12″ dob + wide-field eyepiece

M81 appears as a fuzzy white spot; M82 is fainter and noticeably elongated. They are both 12 Mlyr away–the farthest you can see into space with a small telescope from NYC! Quoth the APOD: “The gravity from each galaxy dramatically affects the other during each hundred million-year pass. Last go-round, M82’s gravity likely raised density waves rippling around M81, resulting in the richness of M81’s spiral arms. But M81 left M82 with violent star forming regions and colliding gas clouds so energetic the galaxy glows in X-rays. In a few billion years only one galaxy will remain.”

1 2 3 4 5

(7:30-9 pm EST)

Beehive Cluster (M44)

open star cluster

3.7

95′

binoculars or wide-field telescope

~100 stars fully resolved in a small telescope. 600 lyr away, 700 Myr old

1

Mizar & Alcor

Sextuplet star system

2.2 mag

11.8′ apart

>= binoculars

Bright double star, easy to find in Big Dipper. The two components of Mizar visible through any small telescope, 14″ apart, are each close binary systems. Columbia grad student NZ was lead author on the article revealing Alcor’s M dwarf companion.

1 2 3

Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)

face-on spiral galaxy with interacting companion

8.4 mag

7′

unconfirmed

The nucleus may appear as a faint smudge. The “grand design” spiral structure (not visible from NYC) was induced by an encounter with the companion NGC 5195. Recent distance estimates place the galaxy at a distance of 23 +/- 4 Mlyr.

1 2

M3

globular cluster

6 mag

10′

>= 8″

One of the best globular clusters in the sky. Appears as fuzzy ball of stars, better resolved at edges. Contains a half million stars at a distance of 34 klyr. Half the mass is within a volume of diameter 22 lyr.

1

M 35

open cluster

5.3

28′

>= 6″

~100 stars visible in a small telescope. 3 klyr away, 100 Myr old

1

M 36

open cluster

6.3

12′

>= 6″

about 60 stars, 25 Myr old, 4 klyr away, 15 lyr wide.

1

M 37

open cluster

6.2

24′

>= 12″

According to Burnham’s, the finest of the three Messier objects in Auriga, but needs larger aperture to resolve. Prominent red giant member lends the description of a “ruby in a field of diamonds”. ~100 stars visible in a small telescope. 4 klyr away, 25 lyr wide, 300 Myr old

1

M 38

open cluster

7.4

21′

>= 8″

4 klyr away, 25 lyr wide, 200 Myr old.

1

May

M 3

globular cluster

6 mag

10′

>= 8″

One of the best globular clusters in the sky. Appears as fuzzy ball of stars, better resolved at edges. Contains a half million stars at a distance of 34 klyr. Half the mass is within a volume of diameter 22 lyr.

1

(8-9:30 pm EST)

Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)

face-on spiral galaxy with interacting companion

8.4 mag

7′

unconfirmed

The nucleus may appear as a faint smudge. The “grand design” spiral structure (not visible from NYC) was induced by an encounter with the companion NGC 5195. Recent distance estimates place the galaxy at a distance of 23 +/- 4 Mlyr.

1 2

Mizar & Alcor

Sextuplet star system

2.2 mag

11.8′ apart

>= binoculars

Bright double star, easy to find in Big Dipper. The two components of Mizar visible through any small telescope, 14″ apart, are each close binary systems. Columbia grad student NZ was lead author on the article revealing Alcor’s M dwarf companion.

1 2 3

M 5

Globular Cluster

5.6

23′

>= 8″

One of the most voluminous globular clusters in the Milky Way, with a width of 165 lyr. 25 klyr away, contains several hundred thousands stars

1 2

M81 + M82

interacting galaxy pair

7.9, 9.3

37′ separation

12″ dob + wide-field eyepiece

M81 appears as a fuzzy white spot; M82 is fainter and noticeably elongated. They are both 12 Mlyr away–the farthest you can see into space with a small telescope from NYC! Quoth the APOD: “The gravity from each galaxy dramatically affects the other during each hundred million-year pass. Last go-round, M82’s gravity likely raised density waves rippling around M81, resulting in the richness of M81’s spiral arms. But M81 left M82 with violent star forming regions and colliding gas clouds so energetic the galaxy glows in X-rays. In a few billion years only one galaxy will remain.”

1 2 3 4 5

Hercules Cluster (M 13)

Globular Cluster

5.8 mag

20’x20′

>= 8″

Appears as a faint white cloud, can resolve some stars. 25 klyr away, 150 lyr wide, several hundred thousand stars

1 2

M 92

Globular Cluster

6.4

14′

>= 8″

Similar to M 13 but slightly smaller. 26 klyr away, 100 lyr wide, mass is 3E5 M_sun

1

June

Hercules Cluster (M13)

Globular Cluster

5.8 mag

20’x20′

>= 8″

Appears as a faint white cloud, can see stars in it.

1 2

(8:30-10 pm EST)

M 3

globular cluster

6 mag

10′

>= 8″

One of the best globular clusters in the sky. Appears as fuzzy ball of stars, better resolved at edges. Contains a half million stars at a distance of 34 klyr. Half the mass is within a volume of diameter 22 lyr.

1

M 5

Globular Cluster

5.6

23′

>= 8″

One of the most voluminous globular clusters in the Milky Way, with a width of 165 lyr. 25 klyr away, contains several hundred thousands stars

1 2

Mizar & Alcor

Sextuplet star system

2.2 mag

11.8′ apart

>= binoculars

Bright double star, easy to find in Big Dipper. The two components of Mizar visible through any small telescope, 14″ apart, are each close binary systems. Columbia grad student NZ was lead author on the article revealing Alcor’s M dwarf companion.

1 2 3

Albireo

Binary Star

3.1 mag

35″ apart

>= binoculars

High constrast binary with one star red, one star blue.

1

Ring Nebula (M57)

Planetary Nebula

8.8 mag

1.4’x1.0′

>= 8″

Appears as a faintly colored ring, small.

1 2

M92

Globular Cluster

6.4 mag

14’x14′

Unconfirmed

1 2

M10

Globular Cluster

6.6 mag

20’x20′

Unconfirmed

1 2

M12

Globular Cluster

6.7 mag

16’x16′

Unconfirmed

1 2

M81 + M82

interacting galaxy pair

7.9, 9.3

37′ separation

>= 12″

M81 appears as a fuzzy white spot; M82 is fainter and noticeably elongated. They are both 12 Mlyr away–the farthest you can see into space with a small telescope from NYC! Quoth the APOD: “The gravity from each galaxy dramatically affects the other during each hundred million-year pass. Last go-round, M82’s gravity likely raised density waves rippling around M81, resulting in the richness of M81’s spiral arms. But M81 left M82 with violent star forming regions and colliding gas clouds so energetic the galaxy glows in X-rays. In a few billion years only one galaxy will remain.”

1 2 3 4 5

July

Mizar & Alcor

Binary Star

2.2 mag

11.8′ apart

>=Binoculars

Bright double star, easy to find in big dipper.

1

Albireo

Binary Star

3.1 mag

35″ apart

>=Binoculars

High contrast binary with one star red, one star blue.

1

Arcturus

Red Giant

-0.04 mag

>=Binoculars

Red giant star that appears yellow-orange under low-power magnification surrounded by fainter, bluer stars in a wide-field eyepiece; one of the five brightest stars in the entire night sky: analog for our Sun’s fate.

1

Hercules Cluster (M13)

Globular Cluster

5.8 mag

20’x20′

> 10″

Appears as a faint white cloud, can see stars in it.

1 2

Ring Nebula (M57)

Planetary Nebula

8.8 mag

1.4’x1.0′

>= 8″

Appears as a faintly colored ring, small.

1 2

M92

Globular Cluster

6.4 mag

14’x14′

Unconfirmed

1 2

M3

Globular Cluster

6.2 mag

18’x18′

Unconfirmed

1 2

M5

Globular Cluster

5.6 mag

23’x23′

Unconfirmed

1 2

M10

Globular Cluster

6.6 mag

20’x20′

Unconfirmed

1 2

M12

Globular Cluster

6.7 mag

16’x16′

Unconfirmed

1 2

Dumbell Nebula (M27)

Planetary Nebula

7.4 mag

8’x5.7′

Unconfirmed

This may be too diffuse for us to see on the roof. Check?

1 2

M39

Open Cluster

4.6 mag

32’x32′

Unconfirmed

1 2

August

Albireo

Binary Star

3.1 mag

35″ apart

>=Binoculars

High color contrast double with one star red, one star blue.

1

Ring Nebula (M57)

Planetary Nebula

8.8 mag

1.4’x1.0′

>= 8″

Appears as a faintly colored ring, small.

1 2

September

Albireo

Binary Star

3.1 mag

35″ apart

>=Binoculars

High constrast binary with one star red, one star blue.

1

Hercules Cluster (M13)

Globular Cluster

5.8 mag

20’x20′

> 10″

Appears as a faint white cloud, can see stars in it. View improves dramatically with larger aperture.

1 2

Ring Nebula (M57)

Planetary Nebula

8.8 mag

1.4’x1.0′

>= 8″

Appears as a faintly colored ring, small.

1 2

Double Cluster (NGC 869 + 884)

Open Cluster

4 mag

60′

>=Binoculars

Two bright, resolved star clusters side by side. Needs a wide FOV. Both are young clusters, 7 klyr away, ~14 Myr old, containing luminous B stars.

1 2 3 4 5

Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

Spiral galaxy (Sb)

3.4 mag

178’x63′

> 10″

Can only see core in telescope, appears as faint, white cloud. 2.5 Mlyr distant. Less massive than the Milky Way, but slightly more luminous (more stars). Andromeda is moving towards the Milky Way at ~70 mi/s; collision expected to occur in ~2.5 Gyr.

1 2

October

Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

Spiral galaxy (Sb)

3.4 mag

178’x63′

> 10″

Can only see core in telescope, appears as faint, white cloud. 2.5 Mlyr distant. Less massive than the Milky Way, but slightly more luminous (more stars). Andromeda is moving towards the Milky Way at ~70 mi/s; collision expected to occur in ~2.5 Gyr.

1 2

Double Cluster (NGC 869 + 884)

Open Cluster

4 mag

60′

>=Binoculars

Two bright, resolved star clusters side by side. Needs a wide FOV. Both are young clusters, 7 klyr away, ~14 Myr old, containing luminous B stars.

1 2 3 4 5

Owl Cluster (NGC 457)

Open Cluster

6 mag

13′

>= 8″

10 klyr distant, ~20 Myr old star cluster shaped like a bird with outstretched wings, with two bright stars for eyes. Aka the “ET” cluster. Nice with 12″ dob. The brightest of the “eyes” is actually foreground star, while the dimmer “eye” is a true member, a B supergiant

1 2|

M52

Open Cluster

7 mag

13′

>=6″

V-shaped salt+pepper star cluster, resolved in any telescope. 5 klyr distant, 35 Myr old

1 2

Albireo

Binary Star

3.1 mag

35″ apart

>=Binoculars

High color contrast double with one star red, one star blue.

1

Almach (Gamma Andromedae)

blue and gold double star

2.3 and 5.1 mag

10″ apart

>=binoculars

Often considered the most beautiful high color contrast double star in the sky, even superior to Albireo. The pair is 350 light years distant. The redder and brighter one is a K giant, while the secondary itself is an unresolvable triple star system containing A and B dwarf stars.

1 2

Ring Nebula (M57)

Planetary Nebula

8.8 mag

1.4’x1.0′

>= 8″

Appears as a faintly colored ring, small.

1 2

November

Andromeda Galaxy (M31)

Spiral galaxy (Sb)

3.4 mag

178’x63′

> 10″

Can only see core in telescope, appears as faint, white cloud. 2.5 Mlyr distant. Less massive than the Milky Way, but slightly more luminous (more stars). Andromeda is moving towards the Milky Way at ~70 mi/s; collision expected to occur in ~2.5 Gyr.

1 2

Pleiades (M 45)

open cluster

Albireo

Binary Star

3.1 mag

35″ apart

>=Binoculars

High color contrast double with one star red, one star blue.

1

Double Cluster (NGC 869 + 884)

Open Cluster

4 mag

60′

>=Binoculars

Two bright, resolved star clusters side by side. Needs a wide FOV. Both are young clusters, 7 klyr away, ~14 Myr old, containing luminous B stars.

1 2 3 4 5

Owl Cluster (NGC 457)

Open Cluster

6 mag

13′

>= 8″

10 klyr distant, ~20 Myr old star cluster shaped like a bird with outstretched wings, with two bright stars for eyes. Aka the “ET” cluster. Nice with 12″ dob. The brightest of the “eyes” is actually foreground star, while the dimmer “eye” is a true member, a B supergiant

1 2|

Almach (Gamma Andromedae)

blue and gold double star

2.3 and 5.1 mag

10″ apart

>=binoculars

Often considered the most beautiful high color contrast double star in the sky, even superior to Albireo. The pair is 350 light years distant. The redder and brighter one is a K giant, while the secondary itself is an unresolvable triple star system containing A and B dwarf stars.

1 2

M52

Open Cluster

7 mag

13′

>=6″

V-shaped salt+pepper star cluster, resolved in any telescope. 5 klyr distant, 35 Myr old

1 2

M34

Open Cluster

6 mag

35′

>=binoculars

intermediate aged star cluster (several hundred Myr old), 1.5 klyr away, 7 light years in diameter, 100 members in total (20 of which are easily seen in a small telescope)

1 2

Ring Nebula (M57)

Planetary Nebula

8.8 mag

1.4’x1.0′

>= 8″

Appears as a faintly colored ring, small.

1 2

December

Double Cluster (NGC 869 + 884)

Open Cluster

4 mag

60′

>=Binoculars

Two bright, resolved star clusters side by side. Needs a wide FOV. Both are young clusters, 7 klyr away, ~14 Myr old, containing luminous B stars.

1 2 3 4 5

Hugh Crowl

Tools for Planning Observations from Bennington

Facts about Stargazing Targets

Monthly Tables of Deep Sky Targets