Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitudes Size Owl Nebula Planetary Nebula 11h 14m 46s +55° 00′ 59″ Ursa Major +9.80 3.4 x 3.3 arcmin Overview This bright nebula in the ever-present form of Ursa Major – famed for its Big Dipper asterism – is called the Owl Nebula because of its reminiscence of an …
Challenge #4 – Barred Dwarf Galaxy, NGC 4449 (Caldwell 21) Read More »
Target Type R.A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M68 Globular Cluster 12h 39m 28s +26° 44′ 39″ Hydra 7.84 11.0 arcmin Overview This is a beautiful springtime sight in any pair of binoculars or low power field of view. When Messier discovered it in April 1780, he noted it as being a “Nebula without stars.” When …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M95 Spiral Galaxy 10h 43m 58s +11° 42′ 13″ Leo 9.72 7.2 x 4.5 arcmins M96 Spiral Galaxy 10h 46m 46s +11° 49′ 12″ Leo 9.13 8.3 x 5.5 arcmins Overview When Charles Messier first discovered these two spiral galaxies in Leo, on 24 March, 1781, he …
Challenge #1 – Two Galaxies in Ursa Major, M81 and M82 Read More »
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M59 (NGC 4621) Elliptical Galaxy 12h 42m 02s +11° 38′ 50″ Virgo +9.6 4.5×3.2 arcmin M60 (NGC 4649) Elliptical Galaxy 12h 43m 40s +11° 33′ 10″ Virgo +8.8 6.8×5.5 arcmin Overview We’re tackling these two galaxies together because they are so close to each other that we …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M49 (NGC 4472) Elliptical Galaxy 12h 29m 46s +07° 59′ 59″ Virgo +8.3 10.2×8.4 arcmins Overview This massive elliptical galaxy is near the center of the Virgo Coud of galaxies which itself lies at the heart of the Virgo Cluster. It is the brightest galaxy galaxy in …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size NGC 3893 Spiral Galaxy 11h 48m 38s +48° 42′ 39″ Ursa Major +9.9 2.7″ x 1.4″ Overview Ursa Major is the most recognized constellation in the night sky. Coupled with the fact that it is also circumpolar for most of us, meaning it’s in the sky all …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size NGC 147 Elliptical Galaxy 00h 33m 12s +48° 30′ 32″ Cassiopeia 9.6 9.4 x 5.4 arcmins NGC 185 Elliptical Galaxy 00h 38m 58s +48° 20′ 15″ Cassiopeia 9.2 12.9 x 10.8 arcmins Overview These two galaxies are companions of the famous Andromeda Galaxy (M31). They, along with …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M109 Barred Spiral Galaxy 11h 57m 36s +53° 22′ 28″ Ursa Major +9.6 8.1×5.6 arcmins Overview Ursa Major, also known as the Great Bear or the Plough – depending on where you live – is a circumpolar constellation. That means it is above the horizon all the …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size NGC 5985 Spiral Galaxy 15h 39m 37s +59° 19′ 55″ Draco +11.1 4.0×2.0 arcmin NGC 5982 Elliptical Galaxy 15h 38m 40s +59° 21′ 21″ Draco +11.0 3.1×2.0 arcmin NGC 5981 Spiral Galaxy 15h 37m 53s +59° 23′ 32″ Draco +12.9 2.7×0.4 arcmin Overview We’re returning to Draco …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size NGC 7814 Spiral Galaxy 00h 03m 15s +16° 08′ 44″ Pegasus +10.5 4.4′ x 1.9′ Overview The Great Square of Pegasus is a well-known asterism and, for many, its arrival in evening skies is a sign that fall is just around the corner. Many star hops begin …
