Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size M76 – The Little Dumbbell Nebula Planetary Nebula 01h 42m 21s +51° 34′ 07″ Perseus 10.10 2.7 x 1.8 arcmins Overview All of this month’s challenges are in the constellation of Perseus, the hero rescuer of Andromeda, which rides high overhead in winter evenings. Our first object …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size NGC 1501 Planetary Nebula 04h 07m 13s +60° 55′ 03″ Camelopardalis +11.9 0.9×0.8 arcmins Overview This planetary nebula is very much in the same neck of the woods as the Kemble’s Cascade asterism (featured last month) and the open cluster NGC 1502, which is this month’s first …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size NGC281 Nebula 00h 52m 48s +56° 36′ 00″ Cassiopeia +7.4 35×30 arcmins Overview This might be one of the best-named objects we’ve looked for in the history of the VAC. When you see the picture below, it’s easy to understand why NGC 281 carries the rather more …
Pleiades Statistics Target Type Right Ascension Declination Constellation Magnitude Size Nebulosity Reflection Nebula 03h 48m 11s +24° 10′ 34″ Taurus +1.5 120 arcminutes Even if you don’t realise it, I can pretty much guarantee that you have seen the Pleiades cluster in the winter night sky. Known informally as the Seven Sisters, this beautiful cluster …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size Eagle Nebula (M16) Emission Nebula 18h 18m 48s -13° 47′ 00″ Serpens +6.4 35′ x 28′ Overview We all became understandably fixated with Jupiter and Saturn in the summer. This month, they still present a pleasing view, which means many of us will have the Teapot asterism …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size Iris Nebula Reflection Nebula 21h 01m 48s +68° 12′ 00″ Cepheus +7.2 18 x 18 arcmins Overview Let’s wrap up June’s challenges with a bright nebula in the constellation of Cepheus. From the mid-US, Cepheus is a circumpolar constellation, which means it never sets below the horizon. …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size Omega Nebula Diffuse Nebula 18h 20m 48s -16° 11′ 00″ Sagitarius +6.0 46.0′ x 37.0′ Overview After the Orion nebula, the Omega nebula is the brightest nebula visible to those of us living in mid-northern latitudes. Also known as the Swan, Horseshoe, or Lobster Nebula, this object …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size Crescent Nebula Planetary Nebula 17h 50m 06s -20° 21′ 56″ Sagitarius +10.9 0.6′ x 0.5′ Overview The first two challenges this month are relatively easy, so I thought I’d balance things out with a trickier observing challenge. The crescent nebula can be glimpsed with smaller scopes under …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size NGC 3242 Planetary Nebula 10h 24m 46s -18° 38′ 38″ Hydra +7.3 0.7×0.6 arcmins Overview All three of this month’s challenges are in the constellation of Hydra. Our first object is a bright but small planetary nebula nestled midway along the long, sprawling body of Hydra the …
Target Type R. A. Dec. Constellation Magnitude Size Skull Nebula Planetary Nebula 00h 47m 04s -11° 52′ 22″ Cetus +10.4 1.0×3.5 arcmin Overview We stay with Cetus for our third challenge of the month: the Skull Nebula, NGC 246 (also, Caldwell 56). This planetary nebula was first observed by William Herschel in November 1785. What …
