DEREK HASELDEN'S ASTRONOMICAL LISTS AND TABLES, PAGE 3
Deep Sky Objects
Updated 31st December 2008
This page is one of three composed almost entirely of data in tabulated form. It is the result of several years of occasionally, but progressively recording information gleaned from books, magazines and the internet. Almost any astronomical book you encounter these days will have some numerical data within its pages in some form or another. So, when I started writing a series of astronomy notes about 15 years ago I included a section which listed useful and interesting astronomical information. The other two pages in this series are Astronomical Tables 1 - Solar System Objects, Miscellaneous and Astronomical Tables 2 - Stars.
Since starting that project it has been necessary to revise, update and expand some of those tables to reflect new data. For example, recent discoveries of additional moon's orbiting the gas giant planets has prompted me to revise those tables, almost tripling their size in the process. As and when I've found time new tables have sprung up or old ones combined to make up the set of tables on this page.
I hope that you are able to make use of this page and the data within, you may well see something you've not come across before. Perhaps you'll even think of other information that would be useful! Furthermore, should you find any errors or know of more up to date figures please do let me know. Whatever the case, please feel free to comment or make suggestions. An e-mail link/button appears at the bottom of this page.
This page was written by Derek Haselden and is the result of many, many hours of digging through books, magazines, journals and other reading matter - and then typing and assembling it into the order you see below. As such I cannot claim it to be an 'original work' but I have put great deal of effort into this and while I am more than happy for others to make use of this page, the only condition I would make is that you ask permission first. Otherwise, please feel free to edit, extract, uproot and quote as you see fit, but please, do not distort or mangle it too much. Feel free to copy, distribute, paraphrase, et cetera, et cetera, but do me the honour of quoting the writer and/or include a link to me.
Thanks.
Derek Haselden - Webmaster
This page makes extensive use of prefixes and abbreviations...
A complete list of the tables on this page follows...
DEEP SKY OBJECTS
OTHER PAGES BY DEREK HASELDEN
TABLE 30. THE MESSIER OBJECTS
The data table below lists the 109 objects that the French Astronomer Charles Messier (1730-1817) catalogued. The Messier list was first published in 1774 (the original list contained 103 objects) with later revisions in 1780 and 1781. Note that there are 110 objects listed but that one of them is in fact a duplicate. The list is an interesting catalogue of deep-sky objects, quite an achievement for its time. It must however be said that as remarkable the list is there are several odd omissions. For example, the Sword Handle star clusters (NGC's 869 and 884), on the Perseus/Cassiopeia border are not included - yet they are difficult to miss with the naked eye! There are objects easily visible to the naked-eye which did make it into Messier's list but for reasons which remain unclear other objects which he must have observed were not included in Messier's list.
Charles Messier was fond of hunting for comets, indeed, he found several of them, something he is not always as well known for as he should be. It would appear that the reason for his list is that these 'fuzzy objects' did not move against the background sky over time and were therefore not comets. Some may find it ironic that these fuzzy objects are in fact remarkable in their own right - yet Messier is best known for a list of objects that he specifically was not so interested in. It has been said that his list was drawn up so that he may avoid mistaking these objects for comets. Whatever the truth is the Messier Catalogue contains many fascinating objects, some easy to see, others not so, and is the first list of non-stellar objects to have been compiled.
Some regard the inclusion of M31 and M110 (The Andromeda Galaxy and one of its companions) as the same thing (they would have been in the same field of view as Messier's telescope) and are something of an oddity. None the less, the Messier Catalogue is a challenging list for those 'clubs' that aim to observe all of them in one night, the so-called 'Messier Marathon's'.
M NGC Con. R.A. Dec. Size Mag. Dist. Notes
No No h m ° ' (') (l.y.)
M 1 1952 Tau 05 34.5 +22 01 6 x 4 c.8.4 6 000 Supernova remnant. (1)
M 2 7089 Aqr 21 33.5 -00 49 13 6.5 50 000 Globular cluster.
M 3 5272 CVn 13 42.2 +28 23 16 6.4 30 000 Globular cluster.
M 4 6121 Sco 16 23.6 -26 32 26 5.9 10 000 Globular cluster.
M 5 5904 Ser 15 18.6 +02 05 17 5.8 30 000 Globular cluster.
M 6 6405 Sco 17 40.1 -32 13 15 4.2 2 000 Open cluster, 80 stars. (2)
M 7 6475 Sco 17 53.9 -34 49 80 3.3 1 000 Open cluster, 80 stars.
M 8 6523 Sgr 18 03.8 -24 23 90 x 40 c.5.8 6 500 Diffuse nebula. (3)
M 9 6333 Oph 17 19.2 -18 31 9 c.7.9 25 000 Globular cluster.
M 10 6254 Oph 16 57.1 -04 06 15 6.6 16 000 Globular cluster.
M 11 6705 Sct 18 51.1 -06 16 14 5.8 6 000 Open cluster, 500 stars. (4)
M 12 6218 Oph 16 47.2 -01 57 14 6.6 16 000 Globular cluster.
M 13 6205 Her 16 41.7 +36 28 17 5.9 25 000 Globular cluster.
M 14 6402 Oph 17 37.6 -03 15 12 7.6 23 000 Globular cluster.
M 15 7078 Peg 21 30.0 +12 10 12 6.4 40 000 Globular cluster.
M 16 6611 Ser 18 18.8 -13 47 7 6.0 7 000 Open cluster and diffuse nebula. (5)
M 17 6618 Sgr 18 20.8 -16 11 46 x 37 7.0 5 000 Diffuse nebula and open cluster. (6)
M 18 6613 Sgr 18 19.9 -17 08 9 6.9 6 000 Open cluster, 20 stars.
M 19 6273 Oph 17 02.6 -26 16 14 7.2 20 000 Globular cluster.
M 20 6514 Sgr 18 02.6 -23 02 29 x 27 7.0 2 200 Diffuse nebula. (7)
M 21 6531 Sgr 18 04.6 -22 30 13 5.9 3 000 Open cluster, 70 stars.
M 22 6656 Sgr 18 36.4 -23 54 24 5.1 10 000 Globular cluster.
M 23 6494 Sgr 17 56.8 -19 01 27 5.5 4 500 Open cluster, 150 stars.
M 24 - Sgr 18 16.9 -18 29 90 c.4.5 10 000 Star cloud + open cluster NGC 6603.
M 25 IC4725 Sgr 18 31.6 -19 15 32 4.6 2 000 Open cluster, 30 stars.
M 26 6694 Sct 18 45.2 -09 24 15 8.0 5 000 Open cluster, 30 stars.
M 27 6853 Vul 19 59.6 +22 43 8 x 4 c.8.1 1 250 Planetary nebula. (8)
M 28 6626 Sgr 18 24.5 -24 52 11 c.6.9 15 000 Globular cluster.
M 29 6913 Cyg 20 23.9 +38 32 7 6.6 7 200 Open cluster, 50 stars.
M 30 7099 Cap 21 40.4 -23 11 11 7.5 40 000 Globular cluster.
M 31 224 And 00 42.7 +41 16 178 x 63 3.4 2.3m Spiral galaxy, type Sb. (9)
M 32 221 And 00 42.7 +40 52 8 x 6 8.2 2.3m Elliptical galaxy, type E2. (10)
M 33 598 Tri 01 33.9 +30 39 62 x 39 5.7 2.3m Spiral galaxy, type Sc. (11)
M 34 1039 Per 02 42.0 +42 47 35 5.2 1 400 Open cluster, 60 stars.
M 35 2168 Gem 06 08.9 +24 20 28 5.1 2 800 Open cluster, 200 stars.
M 36 1960 Aur 05 36.1 +34 08 12 6.0 4 100 Open cluster, 60 stars.
M 37 2099 Aur 05 52.4 +32 33 24 5.6 4 600 Open cluster, 150 stars.
M 38 1912 Aur 05 28.7 +35 50 21 6.4 4 200 Open cluster, 100+ stars.
M 39 7092 Cyg 21 32.2 +48 26 32 4.6 900 Open cluster, 30 stars.
M 40 WNC4 UMa 12 22.4 +58 05 - 8.0 - Double star, separation 49".
M 41 2287 CMa 06 47.0 -20 44 38 4.5 2 400 Open cluster, 80 stars.
M 42 1976 Ori 05 35.4 -05 27 66 x 60 4.0 1 000 Diffuse nebula. (12)
M 43 1982 Ori 05 35.6 -05 16 20 x 15 9.0 1 000 Diffuse nebula, adjacent to M42.
M 44 2632 Cnc 08 40.1 +19 59 95 3.1 500 Open cluster, 50 stars. (13)
M 45 - Tau 03 47.0 +24 07 110 1.2 400 Open cluster, 300+ stars. (14)
M 46 2437 Pup 07 41.8 -14 49 27 6.1 5 400 Open cluster, 100 stars.
M 47 2422 Pup 07 36.6 -14 30 30 4.4 1 600 Open cluster, 30 stars.
M 48 2548 Hya 08 13.8 -05 48 54 5.8 1 500 Open cluster, 80 stars.
M 49 4472 Vir 12 29.8 +08 00 9 x 7 8.4 70m Elliptical galaxy, type E4.
M 50 2323 Mon 07 03.2 -08 20 16 5.9 3 000 Open cluster, 80 stars.
M 51 5194-5 CVn 13 29.9 +47 12 11 x 8 8.1 15m Spiral galaxy, type Sc. (15)
M 52 7654 Cas 23 24.2 +61 35 13 6.9 7 000 Open cluster, 100 stars.
M 53 5024 Com 13 12.9 +18 10 13 7.7 60 000 Globular cluster.
M 54 6715 Sgr 18 55.1 -30 29 9 7.7 50 000 Globular cluster.
M 55 6809 Sgr 19 40.0 -30 58 19 7.0 20 000 Globular cluster.
M 56 6779 Lyr 19 16.6 +30 11 7 8.2 40 000 Globular cluster.
M 57 6720 Lyr 18 53.6 +33 02 1 c.9.0 4 100 Planetary nebula. (16)
M 58 4579 Vir 12 37.7 +11 49 5 x 4 9.8 70m Spiral galaxy, type Sb
M 59 4621 Vir 12 42.0 +11 39 5 x 3 9.8 70m Elliptical, type E3
M 60 4649 Vir 12 41.1 +11 49 7 x 6 8.9 70m Elliptical galaxy, type E1.
M 61 4303 Vir 12 21.9 +04 28 6 x 5 9.7 70m Spiral galaxy, type Sc.
M 62 6266 Oph 17 01.2 -30 07 14 6.6 26 000 Globular cluster.
M 63 5055 CVn 13 15.8 +42 02 12 x 8 8.6 14.5m Spiral galaxy, type Sb.
M 64 4826 Com 12 56.7 +21 41 9 x 5 8.5 12m Spiral galaxy, type Sa/b. (17)
M 65 3623 Leo 11 18.9 +13 05 10 x 3 9.3 35m Spiral galaxy, type Sa.
M 66 3627 Leo 11 20.2 +12 59 9 x 4 9.0 35m Spiral galaxy, type Sb.
M 67 2682 Cnc 18 50.4 +11 49 30 6.9 2 250 Open cluster, 200 stars.
M 68 4590 Hya 12 39.5 -26 45 12 8.2 40 000 Globular cluster.
M 69 6637 Sgr 18 31.4 -32 21 7 7.7 25 000 Globular cluster.
M 70 6681 Sgr 18 43.2 -32 18 8 8.1 65 000 Globular cluster.
M 71 6838 Sge 19 53.8 +18 47 7 8.3 8 500 Globular cluster.
M 72 6981 Aqr 20 53.5 -12 32 6 9.4 60 000 Globular cluster.
M 73 6994 Aqr 20 58.9 -12 38 - 9.0 - Open cluster, group of 4 stars.
M 74 628 Psc 01 36.7 +15 47 10 x 9 9.2 20m Spiral galaxy, type Sc.
M 75 6864 Sgr 20 06.1 -21 55 6 8.6 100 000 Globular cluster.
M 76 650-1 Per 01 42.4 +51 34 2 x 1 c.11.5 3 400 Planetary nebula. (18)
M 77 1068 Cet 02 42.7 -00 01 7 x 6 8.8 30m Barred-spiral galaxy, type SBp.
M 78 2068 Ori 05 46.7 +00 03 8 x 6 8.0 1 600 Emission nebula.
M 79 1904 Lep 05 24.5 -24 33 9 8.4 54 000 Globular cluster.
M 80 6093 Sco 16 17.0 -22 59 9 7.2 36 000 Globular cluster.
M 81 3031 UMa 09 55.6 +69 04 26 x 14 6.8 7m Spiral galaxy, type SB.
M 82 3034 UMa 09 55.8 +69 41 11 x 5 8.4 7m Irregular galaxy, type Pec.
M 83 5236 Hya 13 37.0 -29 52 11 x 10 c.7.6 8m Spiral galaxy, type Sc.
M 84 4374 Vir 12 25.1 +12 53 5 x 4 9.3 70m Elliptical galaxy, type E1.
M 85 4382 Com 12 25.4 +18 11 7 x 5 9.3 70m Spherical galaxy, type Ep.
M 86 4406 Vir 12 26.2 +12 57 7 x 5 9.7 70m Elliptical galaxy, type E3.
M 87 4486 Vir 12 28.3 +12 40 7 9.2 70m Elliptical galaxy, type E1. (19)
M 88 4501 Com 12 32.0 +14 25 7 x 4 9.5 40m Barred-spiral galaxy, type SBb
M 89 4552 Vir 12 35.7 +12 33 4 9.8 70m Elliptical galaxy, type E0.
M 90 4569 Vir 12 36.8 +13 10 10 x 5 9.5 70m Spiral galaxy, type Sb.
M 91 4548 Com 12 35.4 +14 30 5 x 4 10.2 40m Barred-spiral galaxy, type SBb.
M 92 6341 Her 17 17.1 +43 08 11 6.5 28 000 Globular cluster.
M 93 2447 Pup 07 44.6 -23 52 22 c.6.2 36 000 Open cluster, 80 stars.
M 94 4736 CVn 12 50.9 +41 07 11 x 9 8.1 14.5m Spiral galaxy, type Sb.
M 95 3351 Leo 10 44.0 +11 42 7 x 5 9.7 25m Barred-spiral galaxy, type SBb.
M 96 3368 Leo 10 46.8 +11 49 7 x 5 9.2 25m Spiral galaxy, type Sa.
M 97 3587 UMa 11 14.8 +55 01 3 c.11.2 2 600 Planetary nebula. (20)
M 98 4192 Com 12 13.8 +14 54 10 x 3 10.1 70m Spiral galaxy, type Sb.
M 99 4254 Com 12 18.8 +14 25 5 9.8 70m Spiral galaxy, typeSc.
M100 4321 Com 12 22.9 +15 49 7 x 6 9.4 70m Spiral galaxy, type Sc.
M101 5457 UMa 14 03.2 +54 21 27 x 26 7.7 15m Spiral galaxy, type Sc. (21)
M102 - - - - - - - Duplicate of M 101
M103 581 Cas 01 33.2 +60 42 6 c.7.4 8 000 Open cluster, 25 stars.
M104 4594 Vir 12 40.0 -11 37 9 x 4 8.3 50m Spiral galaxy, type Sb. (22)
M105 3379 Leo 10 47.8 +12 35 4 x 4 9.3 25m Elliptical galaxy, type E1.
M106 4258 CVn 12 19.0 +47 18 18 x 8 8.3 25m Spiral galaxy, type Sb.
M107 6171 Oph 16 32.5 -13 03 10 8.1 10 000 Globular cluster.
M108 3556 UMa 11 11.5 +55 40 8 x 2 10.0 25m Spiral galaxy, type Sb.
M109 3992 UMa 11 57.6 +53 23 8 x 5 9.8 25m Barred-spiral galaxy, type SBb.
M110 205 And 00 40.4 +41 41 17 x 10 8.0 2.3m Elliptical galaxy, type E6. (23)
M NGC Con. R.A. Dec. Size Mag. Dist. Notes
No No h m ° ' (') (l.y.)
Notes: Dimensions are as seen on long exposure photographs, objects appear smaller visually.
All co-ordinates are epoch 2000.0.
(1) M1, The Crab Nebula.
(2) M6, The Butterfly.
(3) M8, The Lagoon.
(4) M11, The Wild Duck.
(5) M16, The Eagle Nebula.
(6) M17, The Omega Nebula.
(7) M20, The Triffid Nebula.
(8) M27, The Dumbbell Nebula.
(9) M31, The Andromeda Galaxy.
(10) M32, companion to M31.
(11) M33, The Pinwheel.
(12) M42, The Great Orion Nebula.
(13) M44, The Beehive or Praesepe.
(14) M45, The Pleiades or Seven Sisters.
(15) M51, The Whirlpool.
(16) M57, The Ring Nebula.
(17) M64, The Black-eye.
(18) M76, The Little Dumbbell.
(19) M87, Virgo A.
(20) M97, The Owl Nebula.
(21) M101, The Pinwheel.
(22) M104, The Sombrero.
(23) M110, companion to M31.
TABLE 30a. THE CALDWELL CATALOGUE - 109 Deep-Sky Objects for Backyard Astronomers
The Caldwell Catalogue is an interesting alternative to the Messier list. Drawn up by the British astronomer Sir Patrick Moore (his full surname is actually Caldwell-Moore) it lists some 109 objects in order of decreasing declination and specifically avoids the Messier objects. The Caldwell Catalogue includes many objects that Messier somehow missed and encompasses all types of deep-sky objects with most being available to any astronomer worldwide. (Messier's list conspicuously omits many splendid southern objects which he could not see.)
C NGC Other Con. R.A. Dec. Size Mag. Notes
No. No. No. h m ° ' arcmin (')
1 188 - Cep 00 44.4 +85 20 14 8.1 Open cluster, 120 stars
2 40 - Cep 00 13.0 +72 32 0.6 12.4 Planetary nebula
3 4236 - Dra 12 16.7 +69 26 19 x 7 9.7 Galaxy, spiral, type Sb
4 7023 - Cep 21 01.8 +68 12 18 x 18 6.8 Diffuse nebula
5 - IC 342 Cam 03 46.8 +68 06 18 x 17 9.2 Galaxy, barred-spiral, type SBc
6 6543 - Dra 17 58.6 +66 38 0.3 x 5.8 8.1 Planetary nebula, 'Cat's Eye Nebula'
7 2403 - Cam 07 36.9 +65 36 18 x 10 8.4 Galaxy, spiral, type Sc
8 559 - Cas 01 29.5 +63 18 4 9.5 Open cluster, 60 stars
9 - Sh2-155 Cep 22 56.8 +62 37 50 x 10 7.7 Diffuse nebula, 'Cave Nebula'
10 663 - Cep 01 46.0 +61 15 16 7.1 Open cluster, 80 stars
11 7635 - Cas 23 20.7 +61 12 15 x 8 7.0 Diffuse nebula 'Bubble Nebula'
12 6946 - Cep 20 34.8 +60 09 11 x 10 9.7 Galaxy, spiral, type Sc
13 457 - Cas 01 19.1 +58 20 13 6.4 Open cluster, 80 stars, 'phi Cas. Cluster'
14 869/884 - Per 02 20.0 +57 08 30 4.3 Open clusters, 200 & 150 stars, 'Sword Handle'
15 6826 - Cyg 19 44.8 +50 31 30 x 140 8.8 Planetary nebula, 'Blinking Planetary'
16 7243 - Lac 22 28.2 +49 53 21 6.4 Open cluster, 40 stars
17 147 - Cas 00 33.2 +48 30 13 x 8 9.3 Galaxy, dwarf elliptical, type dE4
18 185 - Cas 00 39.0 +48 20 12 x10 9.2 Galaxy, Dwarf elliptical, type dE0
19 - IC5146 Cyg 21 53.5 +47 16 12 x 12 10.0 Diffuse nebula, 'Cocoon Nebula'
20 7000 - Cyg 20 58.8 +44 20 120 x 100 6.0 Diffuse nebula, 'North American Nebula'
21 4449 - CVn 12 28.2 +44 06 5 x 4 9.4 Galaxy, irregular
22 7662 - And 23 25.9 +42 33 0.3 x 2.2 8.3 Planetary nebula
23 891 - And 02 22.6 +42 21 14 x 3 9.9 Galaxy, spiral, type Sb
24 1275 - Per 03 19.8 +41 31 2.6 x 2.0 11.6 Galaxy, Seyfert, 'Perseus A' radio source
25 2419 - Lyn 07 38.1 +38 53 4.1 10.4 Globular cluster, 'Intergalactic Tramp'
26 4244 - CVn 12 17.5 +37 49 16 x 2.5 10.2 Galaxy, spiral, type S
27 6888 - Cyg 20 12.0 +38 21 20 x 10 7.4 Diffuse nebula, 'Crescent Nebula'
28 752 - And 01 57.8 +37 41 50 5.7 Open cluster, 60 stars
29 5005 - CVn 13 10.9 +37 03 5.4 x 2.0 9.8 Galaxy, spiral, type Sb
30 7331 - Peg 22 37.1 +34 25 11 x 4 9.5 Galaxy, spiral, type Sb
31 - IC 405 Aur 05 16.2 +34 16 30 x 19 6.0v AE Aurigae, 'Flaming Tree Nebula'
32 4631 - CVn 12 42.1 +32 32 15 x 3 9.3 Galaxy, spiral, type Sc
33 6992/5 - Cyg 20 56.4 +31 43 60 x 8 ? Diffuse nebula, 'Eastern Veil Nebula', (SNR)
34 6960 - Cyg 20 45.7 +30 43 70 x 6 11.0 Diffuse nebula, 'Western Veil Nebula', (SNR)
35 4889 - Com 13 00.1 +27 59 3 x 2 11.4 Galaxy, elliptical, type E4
36 4559 - Com 12 36.0 +27 58 10 x 5 9.8 Galaxy, spiral, type Sc
37 6885 - Vul 20 12.0 +26 29 7 5.9 Open cluster, 30 stars
38 4565 - Com 12 36.3 +25 59 16 x 3 9.6 Galaxy, spiral, type Sb
39 2392 - Gem 07 29.2 +20 55 0.2 x 0.7 9.2 Planetary nebula, 'Eskimo Nebula'
40 3626 - Leo 11 20.1 +18 21 3 x 2 10.9 Galaxy, spiral, type Sb
41 - - Tau 04 27 +16 330 0.5 Open cluster, 200+ stars, 'Hyades'
42 7006 - Del 21 01.5 +16 11 2.8 10.6 Globular cluster
43 7814 - Peg 00 03.3 +16 09 6 x 2 10.5 Galaxy, spiral, type Sb
44 7479 - Peg 23 04.9 +12 19 4 x 3 11.0 Galaxy, barred-spiral, type SBb
45 5248 - Boo 13 37.5 +08 53 6 x 4 10.2 Galaxy, spiral, type Sc
46 2261 - Mon 06 39.2 +08 44 2 x 1 10.0v Diffuse nebula, 'Hubble's Variable Nebula
47 6934 - Del 20 34.2 +07 24 5.9 8.9 Globular cluster
48 2775 - Can 09 10.3 +07 02 4.5 x 3 10.3 Galaxy, spiral, type Sa
49 2237-9 - Mon 06 32.3 +05 03 80 x 60 c6.0 Diffuse nebula, 'Rosette Nebula'
50 2244 - Mon 06 32.4 +04 52 24 4.8 Open cluster, 100 stars, in the Rosette Nebula
51 - IC1613 Cet 01 04.8 +02 07 12 x 11 9.3 Galaxy, irregular
52 4697 - Vir 12 48.6 -05 48 6 x 4 9.3 Galaxy, elliptical, type E4
53 3115 - Sxt 10 05.2 -07 43 8 x 3 9.1 Galaxy, elliptical, type E6, 'Spindle Galaxy'
54 2506 - Mon 08 00.2 -10 47 7 7.6 Open cluster,150 stars
55 7009 - Aqr 21 04.2 -11 22 0.4 x 1.6 8.0 Planetary nebula, 'Saturn Nebula'
56 246 - Cet 00 47.0 -11 53 3.8 10.9 Planetary nebula
57 6822 - Sgr 19 44.9 -14 48 10 x 9 8.8 Galaxy, irregular, 'Barnard's Galaxy'
58 2360 - CMa 07 17.8 -15 37 13 7.5 Open cluster, 80 stars
59 3242 - Hya 10 24.8 -18 38 0.3 x 21 7.8 Planetary nebula, 'Ghost of Jupiter'
60 4038 - Cor 12 01.9 -18 52 2.6 x 2 10.7 Galaxy, spiral, type Sc
61 4039 - Cor 12 01.9 -18 53 3 x 2 10.7 Galaxy, spiral, peculiar, type Sp
62 247 - Cet 00 47.1 -20 46 20 x 7 9.1 Galaxy, spiral, type S
63 7293 - Aqr 22 29.6 -20 48 13 7.3 Planetary nebula, 'Helix Nebula'
64 2362 - CMa 07 17.8 -24 57 8 4.1 Open cluster, 60 stars, 'tau CMa cluster'
65 253 - Scl 00 47.6 -25 17 25 x 7 7.1 Galaxy, spiral, type Scp, 'Sculptor Galaxy'
66 5694 - Hya 14 39.6 -26 32 3.6 10.2 Globular cluster
67 1097 - For 02 46.3 -30 17 9 x 7 9.2 Galaxy, barred-spiral, type SBb
68 6729 - CrA 19 01.9 -36 57 1 (var.) 9.7v Diffuse nebula, 'R CrA Nebula'
69 6302 - Sco 17 13.7 -37 06 0.8 9.6 Diffuse nebula, 'Bug Nebula'
70 300 - Scl 00 54.9 -37 41 20 x 13 .8 8.7 Galaxy, spiral, type Sd
71 2477 - Pup 07 52.3 -38 33 27 5.8 Open cluster, 160 stars
72 55 - Scl 00 14.9 -39 11 32 x 6 7.9 Galaxy, barred-spiral, type SB
73 1851 - Col 05 14.1 -40 03 11 7.3 Globular cluster, X-ray source
74 3132 - Vel 10 07.7 -40 26 0.8 9.4 Planetary nebula
75 6124 - Sco 16 25.5 -40 40 29 5.8 Open cluster, 100 stars
76 6231 - Sco 16 54.0 -41 48 15 2.6 Open cluster
77 5128 - Cen 13 25.5 -43 01 18 x 14 7.0 Galaxy, spherical, type S0p, 'Centaurus A'
78 6541 - CrA 18 08.0 -43 42 13 6.6 Globular cluster
79 3201 - Vel 10 17.6 -46 25 18 6.7 Globular cluster
80 5139 - Cen 13 26.8 -47 29 36 3.6 Globular cluster, 'omega Centauri'
81 6352 - Ara 17 25.5 -48 25 7 8.1 Globular cluster
82 6193 - Ara 16 41.3 -48 46 15 5.2 Open cluster
83 4945 - Cen 13 05.4 -49 29 20 x 4 8.7 Galaxy, barred-spiral, type SBc
84 5286 - Cen 13 46.4 -51 22 9 7.6 Globular cluster
85 - IC2391 Vel 08 40.2 -53 04 50 2.5 Open cluster, 30 stars, 'omicron Velorum'
86 6397 - Ara 17 40.7 -53 40 26 5.6 Globular cluster
87 1261 - Hor 03 12.3 -55 13 7 8.4 Globular cluster
88 5823 - Cir 15 05.7 -55 36 10 7.9 Open cluster, 100 stars
89 6067 - Nor 16 13.2 -54 13 12 5.4 Open cluster, 100 stars, 'S Norma'
90 2867 - Car 09 21.4 -58 19 0.2 ? Planetary nebula
91 3532 - Car 11 06.4 -58 40 55 3.0 Open cluster, 150 stars
92 3372 - Car 10 43.8 -59 52 120 x 120 6.2v Diffuse nebula, 'eta Carina'
93 6752 - Pav 19 10.9 -59 59 20 5.4 Globular cluster
94 4755 - Cru 12 53.6 -60 20 10 4.2 Open cluster, 50+ stars, 'Jewel Box'
95 6025 - TrA 16 03.7 -60 30 12 5.1 Open cluster, 60 stars
96 2516 - Car 07 58.3 -60 52 30 3.8 Open cluster, 80 stars
97 3766 - Cen 11 36.1 -61 37 12 5.3 Open cluster, 100 stars
98 4609 - Cru 12 42.3 -62 58 5 6.9 Open cluster, 40 stars
99 - - Cru 12 53 -63 400 x 300 ? Dark nebula, 'Coal Sack'
100 - IC2944 Cen 11 36.6 -63 02 15 4.5 Open cluster, 30 stars, 'gamma Centauri'
101 6744 - Pav 19 09.8 -63 51 16 x 10 8.3 Galaxy, barred-spiral, type SBb
102 - IC2602 Car 10 43.2 -64 24 50 1.9 Open cluster, 60 stars, 'theta Carinae'
103 2070 - Dor 05 38.7 -69 06 40 x 25 5.0 Diffuse nebula, 'Tarantula Nebula'
104 362 - Tuc 01 03.2 -70 51 13 6.6 Globular cluster
105 4833 - Mus 12 59.6 -70 53 14 7.3 Globular cluster
106 104 - Tuc 00 24.1 -72 05 31 4.0 Globular cluster, '47 Tucanae'
107 6101 - Aps 16 25.8 -72 12 11 9.3 Globular cluster
108 4372 - Mus 12 25.8 -72 40 19 7.8 Globular cluster
109 3195 - Cha 10 09.5 -80 52 0.6 ? Planetary nebula
C NGC Other Con. R.A. Dec. Size Mag. Notes
No. No. No. h m ° ' arcmin (')
Notes: Dimensions are as seen on long exposure photographs, objects appear smaller visually.
All co-ordinates are epoch 2000.0.
TABLE 31. 108 BRIGHT DEEP SKY OBJECTS - The Haselden Selection
The following list details 108 deep-sky objects in order of decreasing magnitude. I've no idea if such a list has been compiled before but some may find it of interest; it does give an idea of several objects that are theoretically within the reach of the naked eye, from a dark observing site, and should be visible even with just a pair of binoculars. About one third of these objects I have seen with no optical aid. About two thirds I have been able to observe in 10 x 50 binoculars. Deep-sky objects are often thought to be the province of powerful telescopes - this list suggests otherwise.
Although it may be a convenient criteria to list objects by (magnitude), this list has a sting in the tail. The listed magnitude doesn't automatically suggest pure ease of observation and some of the objects are notoriously difficult to see, such as HS5 - IC 434, or, HS 66 - NGC 598 - M 33. But, some, on the other hand are very easy. So, while the technical criteria for observing these objects appears easy, some most certainly are not. Like the Messier or Caldwell objects, there is equal share of easiness and hard work for the avid deep-sky object hunter.
Not for a moment do I assume the eminence of astronomers such as Charles Messier or Sir Patrick Moore, but this is my own arrangement of objects I've decided to call 'The Haselden Selection', prefix 'HS'. How it came about is an accident really... Having tabulated the lists of other objects on this page I realised that many of them should be within the reach of binoculars and a few less with the naked-eye alone. Indeed, binoculars with their generally wide field of view are far better at showing large objects than a telescope ever can. Also, I can never over-stress that for zero cost one has the use of some of the most proficient and technically brilliant optical instruments nature ever saw - the human eye.
Telescopes can lift the lid of many a night-sky treasure and modern instruments can reveal a Universe only dreamt of by astronomers just a few decades ago. It could be said that there is only one thing worse than a bad telescope, and that is no telescope. That is debateable but for years I have advocated the relative freedom of binoculars which for modest outlay will outperform many small, cheap telescopes. Binoculars are easy to use, light, excellent for wide-field objects, produce an upright image and it must be stressed that some objects, like star fields and some star clusters can only be well observed with them.
Finally, let's hear it again for the eyes. If you've never gone to a dark site on a clear night you really owe it to yourself to do so. Never underestimate the stunning free spectacle of a starry sky beheld with your own eyes. For wide field of view, sheer speed, quick focus, the human eye is almost impossible to beat - no waiting for images to develop, no squinting through an eyepiece, no bearing the weight of binoculars - just your pair of 150 megapixel eyes.
(That figure of 150 megapixels per eye is not made up - the sum total of light receptors in each of your eyes is around 150 000 000!)
HS NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Mag. Notes No. No. No. No. h m ° ' ' 1 - - LMC Dor 05 23.6 -69 45 650 x 550 0.1 Galaxy, Large Magellanic Cloud 2 - - - Tau 04 27 +16 330 1.0 Open cluster, The Hyades, 200+ stars 3 1432/5 45 - Tau 03 47.0 +24 07 110 1.2 Open cluster, The Pleiades, 300+ stars 4 - - IC2602 Car 10 43.2 -64 24 50 1.9 Open cluster, theta Carinae, 60 stars 5 - - IC434 Ori 05 41.0 -02 24 60 x 10 2.0 zeta Ori. Behind Horsehead Nebula (B33) 6 - - SMC Tuc 00 53 -72 50 280 x 160 2.3 Galaxy, Small Magellanic Cloud 7 - - IC2391 Vel 08 40.2 -53 04 50 2.5 o Velorum cluster, 30 stars 8 6231 - - Sco 16 54.0 -41 48 15 2.6 Open cluster 9 2451 - - Pup 07 45.4 -37 58 45 2.8 Open cluster, 40 stars 10 3532 - - Car 11 06.4 -58 40 55 3.0 Open cluster, 150 stars 11 2632 44 - Can 08 50.4 +11 49 30 3.1 Open cluster, 50 stars, Praesepe 12 6475 7 - Sco 17 53.9 -34 49 80 3.3 Open cluster, 80 stars 13 224 31 - And 00 42.7 +41 16 178 x 63 3.5 Galaxy, type Sb, The Andromeda Galaxy 14 - - IC1396 Cep 21 39.1 +57 30 50 3.5 Open cluster, 50 stars 15 5139 - - Cen 13 26.8 -47 29 36.3 3.6 Globular cluster, omega Centauri 16 - - Cr399 Vul 19 25.4 +20 11 60 3.6 Open cluster, 40 stars, The Coathanger 17 2516 - - Car 07 58.3 -60 52 30 3.8 Open cluster, 80 stars 18 - - Mel111 Com 12 25 +26 275 4.0 Open cluster, 80 stars 19 2264 - - Mon 06 40.9 +09 54 60 x 30 4.0v S Monocerotis, The Cone Nebula 20 1499 - - Per 04 00.7 +36 37 145 x 40 4.0 California Nebula 21 104 - - Tuc 00 24.1 -72 05 30.9 4.0 Globular cluster, 47 Tucanae 22 2362 - - CMa 07 17.8 -24 57 8 4.1 60 stars, tau Canis Majoris cluster 23 3114 - - Car 10 02.7 -60 07 35 4.2 Open cluster 24 4755 - - Cru 12 53.6 -60 20 10 4.2 Open cluster, 50+ stars, The Jewel Box 25 - - IC4665 Oph 17 46.3 +05 43 41 4.2 Open cluster, 30 stars 26 6405 6 - Sco 17 40.1 -32 13 15 4.2 Open cluster, 50 stars, The Butterfly 27 - - IC2581 Car 10 27.4 -57 38 8 4.3 Open cluster, 25 stars 28 5367 - - Cen 13 57.7 -39 59 4.3 4.3 Nebula, double nucleus, includes IC4347 29 869 - - Per 02 19.0 +57 09 30 4.3 Open cluster, 200 stars, Sword Handle 30 884 - - Per 02 22.4 +57 07 30 4.4 Open cluster, 150 stars, Sword Handle 31 2422 47 - Pup 07.36.6 -14 30 30 4.4 Open cluster, 30 stars 32 2287 41 - CMa 06 47.0 -20 44 38 4.5 Open cluster, 80 stars 33 - 24 - Sgr 18 16.9 -18 29 90 4.5 Sagittarius Star Cloud 34 - - IC2944 Cen 11 36.6 -63 02 15 4.5 Open cluster, 30 stars, lambda Centauri 35 7092 39 - Cyg 21 32.2 +48 26 32 4.6 Open cluster, 30 stars 36 6633 - - Oph 18 27.7 +06 34 27 4.6 Open cluster, 30 stars 37 1981 - - Ori 05 35.2 -04 26 25 4.6 Open cluster, 20 stars 38 6530 - - Sgr 18 04.8 -24 20 15 4.6 Open cluster, in M20, in Triffid Nebula 39 - 25 IC4725 Sgr 18 31.6 -19 15 32 4.6 Open cluster, 30 stars, nu Sagittarii 40 - - IC2395 Vel 08 41.1 -48 12 8 4.6 Open cluster, 40 stars 41 2547 - - Vel 08 10.7 -49 16 20 4.7 Open cluster, 80 stars 42 2244 - - Mon 06 32.4 +04 52 24 4.8 Open cluster, 100 stars, Rosette Nebula 43 2168 35 - Gem 06 08.9 +24 20 28 5.0 Open cluster, 200 stars 44 1976 42 - Ori 05 35.4 -05 27 66 x 60 5.0 Great Orion Nebula 45 6656 22 - Sgr 18 36.4 -23 54 24.0 5.1 Globular cluster 46 6025 - - TrA 16 03.7 -60 30 12 5.1 Open cluster, 60 stars 47 6193 - - Ara 16 41.3 -48 46 15 5.2 Open cluster 48 6871 - - Cyg 20 05.9 +35 47 20 5.2 Open cluster, 15 stars 49 1039 34 - Per 02 42.0 +42 47 35 5.2 Open cluster, 60 stars 50 3766 - - Cen 11 36.1 -61 37 12 5.3 Open cluster, 100 stars 51 2281 - - Aur 06 49.3 +41 04 15 5.4 Open cluster, 30 stars 52 6087 - - Nor 16 18.9 -57 54 12 5.4 Open cluster, 40 stars, S Normae cluster 53 6752 - - Pav 19 10.9 -59 59 20.4 5.4 Globular cluster 54 6281 - - Sco 17 04.8 -37 54 8 5.4 Open cluster 55 5662 - - Cen 14 35.2 -56 33 12 5.5 Open cluster, 70 stars 56 6494 23 - Sgr 17 56.8 -19 01 27 5.5 Open cluster, 150 stars 57 6383 - - Sco 17 34.8 -32 34 5 5.5 Open cluster, 40 stars 58 - - IC1287 Sct 18 31.3 -10 50 4.4 x 3.4 5.5 Nebula 59 7686 - - And 23 30.2 +49 08 15 5.6 Open cluster, 20 stars 60 6397 - - Ara 17 40.7 -53 40 25.7 5.6 Globular cluster 61 2099 37 - Aur 05 52.4 +32 33 24 5.6 Open cluster, 150 stars 62 5460 - - Cen 14 07.6 -48 19 25 5.6 Open cluster, 40 stars 63 6067 - - Nor 16 13.2 -54 13 13 5.6 Open cluster, 100 stars 64 752 - - And 01 57.8 +37 41 50 5.7 Open cluster, 60 stars 65 6416 - - Sco 17 44.4 -32 21 18 5.7 Open cluster, 40 stars 66 598 33 - Tri 01 33.9 +30 39 62 x 39 5.7 Galaxy, type Sc, The Pinwheel Galaxy 67 6885 - - Vul 20 12.0 +26 29 7 5.7 Open cluster, 30 stars 68 2548 48 - Hya 08 13.8 -05 48 54 5.8 Open cluster, 80 stars 69 2477 - - Pup 07 52.3 -38 33 27 5.8 Open cluster, 160 stars 70 6124 - - Sco 16 25.5 -40 40 29 5.8 Open cluster, 100 stars 71 6705 11 - Sct 18 51.1 -06 16 14 5.8 Open cluster, 500 stars, The Wild Duck 72 5904 5 - Ser 15 18.6 +02 05 17.4 5.8 Globular cluster 73 6523 8 - Sgr 18 03.8 -24 23 90 x 40 5.8 The Lagoon Nebula 74 6250 - - Ara 16 58.0 -45 48 8 5.9 Open cluster, 60 stars 75 5281 - - Cen 13 46.6 -62 54 5 5.9 Open cluster, 40 stars 76 2169 - - Gem 06 08.4 +13 57 7 5.9 Open cluster, 30 stars 77 6205 13 - Her 16 41.7 +36 28 16.6 5.9 Globular cluster 78 2323 50 - Mon 07 03.2 -08 20 16 5.9 Open cluster, 80 stars 79 6531 21 - Sgr 18 04.6 -22 30 13 5.9 Open cluster, 70 stars 80 6546 - - Sgr 18 07.2 -23 20 13 5.9 Open cluster, 70 stars 81 6121 4 - Sco 16 23.6 -26 32 26.3 5.9 Globular cluster. 82 1960 36 - Aur 05 36.1 +34 08 12 6.0 Open cluster, 60 stars 83 - - IC405 Aur 05 16.2 +34 16 30 x 19 6.0v AE Aurigae: Flaming Star Nebula 84 5316 - - Cen 13 53.9 -61 52 14 6.0 Open cluster, 80 stars 85 7000 - - Cyg 20 58.8 +44 20 120 x 100 6.0 North American Nebula 86 2301 - - Mon 06 51.8 +00 28 12 6.0 Open cluster, 80 stars 87 6611 - - Ser 18 18.8 -13 47 7 6.0 Open cluster, in M16, The Eagle Nebula 88 3228 - - Vel 10 21.8 -51 53 18 6.0 Open cluster, 15 stars 89 7160 - - Cep 21 53.7 +62 36 7 6.1 Open cluster, 12 stars 90 2437 46 - Pup 07 41.8 -14 49 27 6.1 Open cluster, 100 stars 91 1746 - - Tau 05 03.6 +23 49 42 6.1 Open cluster, 20 stars 92 2669 - - Vel 08 44.9 -52 58 12 6.1 Open cluster, 40 stars 93 3372 - - Car 10 43.8 -59 52 - 6.2v eta Carina Nebula 94 1545 - - Per 04 20.9 +50 15 8 6.2 Open cluster, 20 stars 95 2447 93 - Pup 07 44.6 -23 52 22 6.2 Open cluster, 80 stars 96 2808 - - Car 09 12.0 -64 52 13.8 6.3 Globular cluster 97 5617 - - Cen 14 29.8 -60 43 10 6.3 Open cluster, 80 stars 98 7078 15 - Peg 21 30.0 +12 10 12.3 6.3 Globular cluster 99 2546 - - Pup 08 12.4 -37 38 41 6.3 Open cluster, 40 stars 100 6940 - - Vul 20 34.6 +28 18 31 6.3 Open cluster, 60 stars 101 1912 38 - Aur 05 28.7 +35 50 21 6.4 Open cluster, 100 stars 102 5272 3 - CVn 13 32.2 +28 23 16.2 6.4 Globular cluster 103 457 - - Cas 01 19.1 +58 20 13 6.4 phi Cas Open Cluster, 80 stars 104 6611 16 - Ser 18 18.8 -13 47 35 x 28 6.4 M16, The Eagle Nebula 105 1528 - - Per 04 15.4 +51 14 24 6.4 Open cluster, 40 stars 106 6242 - - Sco 16 55.6 -39 30 9 6.4 Open cluster 107 7243 - - Lac 22 28.2 +49 53 21 6.4 Open cluster, 40 stars 108 1647 - - Tau 04 46.0 +19 04 45 6.4 Open cluster, 200 stars HS NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Mag. Notes No. No. No. No. h m ° ' '
Notes: Dimensions are as seen on long exposure photographs, objects appear smaller visually.
All co-ordinates are epoch 2000.0.
TABLE 32. 103 OPEN (GALACTIC) STAR CLUSTERS
Another list that may be of interest to you, the 103 brightest open clusters. A few are readily visible with just eyes alone but many more are quite easy with binoculars. Generally, a telescope brings these objects plainly into view.
NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Mag. Notes No. No. No. h m ° ' ' - - - Tau 04 27 +16 330 1.0 200+ stars, The Hyades 1432/5 45 - Tau 03 47.0 +24 07 110 1.2 300+ stars, The Pleiades - - IC2602 Car 10 43.2 -64 24 50 1.9 60 stars, theta Carinae cluster - - IC2391 Vel 08 40.2 -53 04 50 2.5 30 stars, o Velorum cluster 6231 - - Sco 16 54.0 -41 48 15 2.6 - 2451 - - Pup 07 45.4 -37 58 45 2.8 40 stars 3532 - - Car 11 06.4 -58 40 55 3.0 150 stars 2632 44 - Can 08 50.4 +11 49 30 3.1 50 stars, Praesepe, The Beehive 6475 7 - Sco 17 53.9 -34 49 80 3.3 80 stars - - IC1396 Cep 21 39.1 +57 30 50 3.5 50 stars - - Cr399 Vul 19 25.4 +20 11 60 3.6 40 stars, Coathanger, Brocchi's Cluster 2516 - - Car 07 58.3 -60 52 30 3.8 80 stars - - Mel111 Com 12 25 +26 275 4.0 80 stars 2362 - - CMa 07 17.8 -24 57 8 4.1 60 stars, tau Canis Majoris cluster 3114 - - Car 10 02.7 -60 07 35 4.2 - 4755 - - Cru 12 53.6 -60 20 10 4.2 50+ stars, The Jewel Box, kappa Crucis - - IC4665 Oph 17 46.3 +05 43 41 4.2 30 stars 6405 6 - Sco 17 40.1 -32 13 15 4.2 50 stars, The Butterfly Cluster - - IC2581 Car 10 27.4 -57 38 8 4.3 25 stars 869 - - Per 02 19.0 +57 09 30 4.3 200 stars, The Sword Handle 884 - - Per 02 22.4 +57 07 30 4.4 150 stars, The Sword Handle 2422 47 - Pup 07.36.6 -14 30 30 4.4 30 stars 2287 41 - CMa 06 47.0 -20 44 38 4.5 80 stars - - IC2944 Cen 11 36.6 -63 02 15 4.5 30 stars, lambda Centauri cluster 7092 39 - Cyg 21 32.2 +48 26 32 4.6 30 stars 6633 - - Oph 18 27.7 +06 34 27 4.6 30 stars 1981 - - Ori 05 35.2 -04 26 25 4.6 20 stars 6530 - - Sgr 18 04.8 -24 20 15 4.6 In M20, The Triffid Nebula - 25 IC4725 Sgr 18 31.6 -19 15 32 4.6 30 stars, nu Sagittarii cluster - - IC2395 Vel 08 41.1 -48 12 8 4.6 40 stars 2547 - - Vel 08 10.7 -49 16 20 4.7 80 stars 2244 - - Mon 06 32.4 +04 52 24 4.8 100 stars, in the Rosette Nebula. 2168 35 - Gem 06 08.9 +24 20 28 5.0 200 stars 6025 - - TrA 16 03.7 -60 30 12 5.1 60 stars 6193 - - Ara 16 41.3 -48 46 15 5.2 - 6871 - - Cyg 20 05.9 +35 47 20 5.2 15 stars 1039 34 - Per 02 42.0 +42 47 35 5.2 60 stars 3766 - - Cen 11 36.1 -61 37 12 5.3 100 stars 2281 - - Aur 06 49.3 +41 04 15 5.4 30 stars 6087 - - Nor 16 18.9 -57 54 12 5.4 40 stars, S Normae cluster 6281 - - Sco 17 04.8 -37 54 8 5.4 - 5662 - - Cen 14 35.2 -56 33 12 5.5 70 stars 6494 23 - Sgr 17 56.8 -19 01 27 5.5 150 stars 6383 - - Sco 17 34.8 -32 34 5 5.5 40 stars 7686 - - And 23 30.2 +49 08 15 5.6 20 stars 2099 37 - Aur 05 52.4 +32 33 24 5.6 150 stars 5460 - - Cen 14 07.6 -48 19 25 5.6 40 stars 6067 - - Nor 16 13.2 -54 13 13 5.6 100 stars 752 - - And 01 57.8 +37 41 50 5.7 60 stars 6416 - - Sco 17 44.4 -32 21 18 5.7 40 stars 6885 - - Vul 20 12.0 +26 29 7 5.7 30 stars 2548 48 - Hya 08 13.8 -05 48 54 5.8 80 stars 2477 - - Pup 07 52.3 -38 33 27 5.8 160 stars 6124 - - Sco 16 25.5 -40 40 29 5.8 100 stars 6705 11 - Sct 18 51.1 -06 16 14 5.8 500 stars, The Wild Duck Cluster 6250 - - Ara 16 58.0 -45 48 8 5.9 60 stars 5281 - - Cen 13 46.6 -62 54 5 5.9 40 stars 2169 - - Gem 06 08.4 +13 57 7 5.9 30 stars 2323 50 - Mon 07 03.2 -08 20 16 5.9 80 stars 6531 21 - Sgr 18 04.6 -22 30 13 5.9 70 stars 6546 - - Sgr 18 07.2 -23 20 13 5.9 70 stars 6611 - - Ser 18 18.8 -13 47 7 6.0 In M16, The Eagle Nebula 1960 36 - Aur 05 36.1 +34 08 12 6.0 60 stars 5316 - - Cen 13 53.9 -61 52 14 6.0 80 stars 2301 - - Mon 06 51.8 +00 28 12 6.0 80 stars 3228 - - Vel 10 21.8 -51 53 18 6.0 15 stars 7160 - - Cep 21 53.7 +62 36 7 6.1 12 stars 2437 46 - Pup 07 41.8 -14 49 27 6.1 100 stars 1746 - - Tau 05 03.6 +23 49 42 6.1 20 stars 2669 - - Vel 08 44.9 -52 58 12 6.1 40 stars 1545 - - Per 04 20.9 +50 15 8 6.2 20 stars 2447 93 - Pup 07 44.6 -23 52 22 6.2 80 stars 5617 - - Cen 14 29.8 -60 43 10 6.3 80 stars 2546 - - Pup 08 12.4 -37 38 41 6.3 40 stars 6940 - - Vul 20 34.6 +28 18 31 6.3 60 stars 1912 38 - Aur 05 28.7 +35 50 21 6.4 100 stars 457 - - Cas 01 19.1 +58 20 13 6.4 80 stars, phi Cassiopeia Cluster 1528 - - Per 04 15.4 +51 14 24 6.4 40 stars 6242 - - Sco 16 55.2 -39 30 9 6.4 - 129 - - Cas 00 29.9 +60 14 21 6.5 35 stars, contains DL Cassiopeia - - IC1805 Cas 02 32.7 +61 27 22 6.5 40 stars 654 - - Cas 01 44.4 +61 53 5 6.5 60 stars 5822 - - Lup 15 05.2 -54 21 40 6.5 150 stars 2527 - - Pup 08 05.3 -28 10 22 6.5 40 stars 2539 - - Pup 08 10.7 -12 50 22 6.5 50 stars 6913 29 - Cyg 20 23.9 +38 32 7 6.6 50 stars 3572 - - Car 11 10.4 -60 14 7 6.6 35 stars 1444 - - Per 03 49.4 +52 40 4 6.6 - 6709 - - Aql 18 51.5 +10 21 13 6.7 40 stars 7789 - - Cas 23 57.0 +56 44 16 6.7 300 stars 1027 - - Cas 02 42.7 +61 33 20 6.7 40 stars 2129 - - Gem 06 01.0 +23 18 7 6.7 40 stars 2343 - - Mon 07 08.3 -10 39 7 6.7 20 stars NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Mag. Notes No. No. No. h m ° ' '
Notes: Dimensions are as seen on long exposure photographs, objects appear smaller visually.
All co-ordinates are epoch 2000.0.
TABLE 33. 70 GLOBULAR STAR CLUSTERS
There are a little over of 100 of these clusters dotted about the sky, a great many of them can be found in Ophiuchus, Scorpius, and Sagittarius. This list catalogues some 70 of these objects, all of which should be within the range of modest instruments. The first two on the list, omega Centauri and 47 Tucanae are visible to the naked eye but are too far south to be seen from the U.K. A few more should be visible in binoculars but apart from the first two just mentioned, I have always found binoculars do now show them well, there is too little magnification. They are therefore best appreciated in telescopes, a great many can be seen even in small telescopes. Perhaps the best example seen from the U.K. is NGC6203 (M13) in Hercules.
NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Mag. Notes No. No. No. h m ° ' ' 5139 - - Cen 13 26.8 -47 29 36.3 3.6 omega Centauri 104 - - Tuc 00 24.1 -72 05 30.9 4.0 47 Tucanae 6656 22 - Sgr 18 36.4 -23 54 24.0 5.1 6752 - - Pav 19 10.9 -59 59 20.4 5.4 6397 - - Ara 17 40.7 -53 40 25.7 5.6 5904 5 - Ser 15 18.6 +02 05 17.4 5.8 6205 13 - Her 16 41.7 +36 28 16.6 5.9 6121 4 - Sco 16 23.6 -26 32 26.3 5.9 2808 - - Car 09 12.0 -64 52 13.8 6.3 7078 15 - Peg 21 30.0 +12 10 12.3 6.3 5272 3 - CVn 13 32.2 +28 23 16.2 6.4 7089 2 - Aqr 21 33.5 -00 49 12.9 6.5 6341 92 - Her 17 17.1 +43 08 11.2 6.5 6541 - - CrA 18 08.0 -43 42 13.1 6.6 6218 12 - Oph 16 47.2 -01 57 14.5 6.6 6254 10 - Oph 16 57.1 -04 06 15.1 6.6 6266 62 - Oph 17 01.2 -30 07 14.1 6.6 362 - - Tuc 01 03.2 -70 51 12.9 6.6 3201 - - Vel 10 17.6 -46 25 18.2 6.7 6388 - - Sco 17 36.3 -44 44 8.7 6.8 6626 28 - Sgr 18 24.5 -24 52 11.2 6.9 6809 55 - Sgr 19 40.0 -30 58 19.0 6.9 5986 - - Lup 15 46.1 -37 47 9.8 7.1 6273 19 - Oph 17 02.6 -26 16 13.5 7.1 6093 80 - Sco 16 17.0 -22 59 8.9 7.2 1851 - - Col 05 14.1 -40 03 11.0 7.3 X-ray source 4833 - - Mus 12 59.6 -70 53 13.5 7.3 7099 30 - Cap 21 40.4 -23 11 11.0 7.5 5286 - - Cen 13 46.4 -51 22 9.1 7.6 6402 14 - Oph 17 37.6 -03 15 11.7 7.6 5024 53 - Com 13 12.9 +18 10 12.6 7.7 6637 69 - Sgr 18 31.4 -32 21 7.1 7.7 6715 54 - Sgr 18 55.1 -30 29 9.1 7.7 4372 - - Mus 12 25.8 -72 40 18.6 7.8 6333 9 - Oph 17 19.2 -18 31 9.3 7.9 1904 79 - Lep 05 24.5 -24 33 8.7 8.0 6352 - - Ara 17 25.5 -48 25 7.1 8.1 6171 107 - Oph 16 32.5 -13 03 10.0 8.1 6681 70 - Sgr 18 43.2 -32 18 7.8 8.1 288 - - Scl 00 52.8 -26 35 13.8 8.1 4590 68 - Hya 12 39.5 -26 45 12.0 8.2 6779 56 - Lyr 19 16.6 +30 11 7.1 8.2 6544 - - Sgr 18 07.3 -25 00 8.9 8.2 6553 - - Sgr 18 09.3 -25 54 8.1 8.2 6712 - - Sct 18 53.1 -08 42 7.2 8.2 6362 - - Ara 17 31.9 -67 03 10.7 8.3 5927 - - Lup 15 28.0 -50 40 12.0 8.3 6838 71 - Sge 19 53.8 +18 47 7.2 8.3 6624 - - Sgr 18 23.7 -30 22 5.9 8.3 1261 - - Hor 03 12.3 -55 13 6.9 8.4 6304 - - Oph 17 14.5 -29 28 6.8 8.4 6356 - - Oph 17 23.6 -17 49 7.2 8.4 5897 - - Lib 15 17.4 -21 01 12.6 8.6 6522 - - Sgr 18 03.6 -30 02 5.6 8.6 6864 75 - Sgr 20 06.1 -21 55 6.0 8.6 6569 - - Sgr 18 13.6 -31 50 5.8 8.7 6394 - - Del 20 34.2 +07 24 5.9 8.9 6652 - - Sgr 18 35.8 -32 59 3.5 8.9 5824 - - Lup 15 04.0 -33 04 6.2 9.0 6316 - - Oph 17 16.6 -28 08 4.9 9.0 5466 - - Boo 14 05.5 +28 32 11.0" 9.1 Note: 11" diameter 6638 - - Sgr 18 30.9 -25 30 5.0 9.2 6101 - - Aps 16 25.8 -72 12 10.7 9.3 6981 72 - Aqr 20 53.5 -12 32 5.9 9.3 6401 - - Oph 17 38.6 -23 55 5.6 9.5 6355 - - Oph 17 24.0 -26 21 5.0 9.6 2419 - - Lyn 07 38.1 +38 53 4.1 10.4 The 'Intergalactic Tramp' - - IC4499 Aps 10 00.3 -82 13 7.6 10.6 7006 - - Del 21 01.5 +16 11 2.8 10.6 6558 - - Sgr 18 10.3 -31 46 3.7 ? NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia (min) Mag. Notes No. No. No. h m ° ' '
Notes: Dimensions are as seen on long exposure photographs, objects appear smaller visually.
All co-ordinates are epoch 2000.0.
TABLE 34. 56 PLANETARY NEBULAE
Planetary Nebulae, a term coined by William Herschell for their passing resemblence to planets (the first one he saw appeared pale green and looked a little like Uranus to him) are the shells of expanding gas expelled by dying stars. (Their green colouration is due to ionised oxygen.) Simply put, some stars in the process of dying tend to expel some of their mass which often takes on the form of an expanding 'bubble' of gas which is illuminated and irradiated by the star.
This is a challenging list of objects owing to the great variety of magnitudes and sizes. In some instances the magnitude of the nebula itself can be quite misleading, for example the Helix Nebula, first on the list, has a low surface brightness owing to is great size - paradoxically making it a bright nebula, but one that is quite difficult to observe. For brightness, try M27, the Dumbbell Nebula - a much easier target! All of these nebulae are quite small objects are are only well seen with telescopes. A few of the brighter and larger planetary nebulae can be seen with small telescopes up to about 4 inches, 100mm aperture.
One of the most popular targets in this list is the Ring Nebula, in Lyra. Not too difficult to find and fairly bright as these objects go. The Ring Nebula is well named, it really does look like a 'Ring' although I've always thought it more of a smoke ring or doughnut. Large instruments will reveal the central star. Another popular target is the Dumbbell Nebula, in Vulpecula. This one is quite bright and generally easier to find than the Ring Nebula. Other worthwhile targets include the Blinking Planetary, and the Eskimo Nebula.
NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Mag. Mag. Cent. Notes No. No. No. h m ° ' ' Star 7293 - - Aqr 22 29.6 -20 48 770 6.5 13.5 The Helix Nebula. 6853 27 - Vul 19 59.6 +22 43 350 x 910 7.6 13.9 The Dumbbell Nebula. 246 - - Cet 00 47.0 -11 53 225 8.0 11.9 3132 - - Vel 10 07.7 -40 26 47 8.2 10.1 7009 - - Aqr 21 04.2 -11 22 2.5 x 100 8.3 11.5 The Saturn Nebula. 3918 - - Cen 11 50.3 -57 11 12 8.4 10.9 The Blue Planetary. 6543 - - Dra 17 58.6 +66 38 18 x 350 8.8 11.4 6572 - - Oph 18 12.1 +06 51 8 x 8 9.0 13.6 7662 - - And 23 25.9 +42 33 20 x 130 9.2 13.2 6210 - - Her 16 44.5 +23 49 14 9.3 12.9 1535 - - Eri 04 14.2 -12 44 18 x 44 9.6 12.2 2867 - - Car 09 21.4 -58 19 11 9.7 13.6 6720 57 - Lyr 18 53.6 +33 02 70 x 150 9.7 14.8 The Ring Nebula. 6826 - - Cyg 19 44.8 +50 31 30 x 140 9.8 10.4 The Blinking Planetary. 6818 - - Sgr 19 44.0 -14 09 17 9.9 13.0 1514 - - Tau 04 09.2 +30 47 114 10.0 9.4 2392 - - Gem 07 29.2 +20 55 13 x 44 10.0 10.5 The Eskimo Nebula. 5189 - - Mus 13 33.5 -65 59 153 10.0 14.0 Gum 47. 2438 - - Pup 07 41.8 -14 44 66 10.1 17.7 In star cluster NGC2437 6790 - - Aql 19 23.2 +01 31 7 10.2 13.5 4631 - - Crv 12 24.5 -18 48 45 x 110 10.3 13.2 5882 - - Lup 15 16.8 -45 39 7 10.5 12.0 - - IC4406 Lup 14 22.4 -44 09 28 10.6 14.7 - - IC418 Lep 05 27.5 -12 42 12 10.7 10.7 40 - - Cep 00 13.0 +72 32 37 10.7 11.6 2440 - - Pup 07 41.9 -18 13 14 x 32 10.8 14.3 Protoplanetary nebula? 6309 - - Oph 17 14.1 -12 55 14 x 66 10.8 14.4 6741 - - Aql 19 02.6 -00 27 6 10.8 14.7 - - IC4593 Her 16 12.2 +12 04 12 x 120 10.9 11.3 6567 - - Sgr 18 13.7 -19 05 8 11.1 15.0 6803 - - Aql 19 31.3 +10 03 6 11.3 15.2 - - IC2501 Car 09 38.8 -60 05 25 11.3 - 7048 - - Cyg 21 14.2 +46 16 61 11.3 18.0 - - IC2448 Car 09 07.1 -69 57 8 11.5 12.9 6153 - - Sco 16 31.5 -40 15 25 11.5 - - - IC3568 Cam 12 32.9 +82 33 6 11.6 12.3 6629 - - Sgr 18 25.7 -23 12 15 11.6 12.8 - - IC4997 Sge 20 20.2 +16 45 2 11.6 13.0v? 6891 - - Del 20 15.2 +12 42 12 x 74 11.7 12.4 3211 - - Car 10 17.8 -62 40 12 11.8 - - - IC4699 Tel 18 18.5 -45 59 10 11.9 - 3242 - - Hya 10 24.8 -18 38 16 x 1250 12.0 - The Ghost of Jupiter. - - IC4191 Mus 13 08.8 -67 39 5 12.0 - 6644 - - Sgr 18 32.6 -25 08 3 12.2 15.9 3587 97 - UMa 11 14.8 +55 01 194 12.0 15.9 The Owl Nebula. 650-1 76 - Per 01 42.4 +51 34 65 x 290 12.2 17.0 The Little Dumbbell. 6751 - - Aql 19 05.9 -06 00 20 12.5 13.9 6302 - - Sco 17 13.7 -37 06 50 12.8 - The Bug Nebula 2818 - - Pyx 09 16.0 -36 28 38 13.0 13.0 6879 - - Sge 20 10.5 +16 55 5 13.0 15.0 6058 - - Her 16 04.4 +40 41 23 13.3 13.8 SP1 - - Nor 15 51.7 -51 31 76 13.6 13.8 1360 - - For 03 33.3 -25 51 390 - 11.3 - - IC1297 CrA 19 17.4 -39 37 7 - 12.9v RU Coronae Australis - - IC2621 Car 11 00.3 -65 15 5 - 13.6 6337 - - Sco 17 22.3 -38 29 48 - 14.7 NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Mag. Mag. Cent. Notes No. No. No. h m ° ' ' Star
Notes: Dimensions are as seen on long exposure photographs, objects appear smaller visually.
All co-ordinates are epoch 2000.0.
TABLE 35. 36 DIFFUSE NEBULAE
Another list of objects with a twist - some are quite bright, yet elude even the more eleborate and expensive instruments available to the amateur astronomer, number one on the list (IC434) being a famous example. These nebulae are clouds of ionised gas, often close to the birthplaces of recently formed stars (or others to come) or may be a remnant of exploded stars. Probably the most popular target in this list is the Great Orion Nebula, visible in binoculars, and a treat in most telescopes.
NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Mag. Notes No. No. No. h m ° ' ' (1) - - IC434 Ori 05 41.0 -02 24 60 x 10 2.0 zeta Ori. Behind Horsehead Nebula (B33) 2264 - - Mon 06 40.9 +09 54 60 x 30 4.0v S Monocerotis, The Cone Nebula 1499 - - Per 04 00.7 +36 37 145 x 40 4.0 California Nebula 5367 - - Cen 13 57.7 -39 59 4.3 4.3 Nebula, double nucleus, includes IC4347 1976 42 - Ori 05 35.4 -05 27 66 x 60 5.0 The Great Orion Nebula 2070 - - Dor 05 38.7 -69 06 40 x 25 5.0 30 Doradus, in LMC, Tarantula Neb. (2) 6523 8 - Sgr 18 03.8 -24 23 90 x 40 5.0 The Lagoon Nebula (2) 6618 17 - Sgr 18 20.8 -16 11 46 x 37 5.0 The Omega Nebula (2) - - IC1287 Sct 18 31.3 -10 50 4.4 x 3.4 5.5 - 6523 8 - Sgr 18 03.8 -24 23 90 x 40 5.8 The Lagoon Nebula - - IC405 Aur 05 16.2 +34 16 30 x 19 6.0v AE Aurigae, The Flaming Tree Nebula 7000 - - Cyg 20 58.8 +44 20 120 x 100 6.0 North American Nebula 2237-9 - - Mon 06 32.3 +05 03 80 x 60 c6.0 Rosette Nebula (2) 3372 - - Car 10 43.8 -59 52 - 6.2v eta Carina Nebula 6611 16 - Ser 18 18.8 -13 47 35 x 28 6.4 M16, The Eagle Nebula 7023 - - Cep 21 01.8 +68 12 18 x 18 6.8 - 7635 - - Cas 23 20.7 +61 12 15 x 8 7.0 The Bubble Nebula 1982 43 - Ori 05 35.6 -05 16 20 x 15 7.0 Extension of M42 6888 - - Cyg 20 12.0 +38 21 20 x 10 7.4 The Crescent Nebula 6514 20 - Sgr 18 02.6 -23 02 29 x 27 7.6 The Triffid Nebula - - Sh2-155 Cep 22 56.8 +62 37 50 x 30 7.7 The Cave Nebula 281 - - Cas 00 52.8 +56 36 35 x 30 8.0 - 2149 - - Mon 06 03.5 -09 44 3 x 2 9.0 - 1554-5 - - Tau 04 21.8 +19 32 var. 9.0v Hinds Variable Nebula, T Tauri 2467 - - Pup 07 52.5 -26 24 8 x 7 9.2 Gum 9 1333 - - Per 03 29.3 +31 25 9 x 7 9.5 Near dark nebula B205 6729 - - CrA 19 01.9 -36 57 1 (var.) 9.7v R Coronae Australis - - IC5146 Cyg 21 53.5 +47 16 12 x 12 10.0 The Cocoon Nebula, with sparse cluster 2068 78 - Ori 05 46.7 +00 03 8 x 6 10.0 Nebula is mag. 8, Flaming Tree Nebula 2261 - - Mon 06 39.2 +08 44 2 x 1 10.0v R Monocerotis 6960 - - Cyg 20 45.7 +30 43 70 x 6 11.0 Filamentary nebula, 52 Cygni (2) - - IC5067/70 Cyg 20 58.8 +44 21 80 x 70 11.0 The Pelican Nebula. (2) 1952 1 - Tau 05 34.5 +22 01 6 x 4 16.0 The Crab Nebula, supernova remnant - - IC1805 Cas 02 33.4 +61 26 60 x 60 ? - - - IC1848 Cas 02 51.3 +60 25 60 x 30 ? - 6992/5 - - Cyg 20 56.4 +31 43 60 x 8 ? The Veil Nebula. (SNR) NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Mag. Notes No. No. No. h m ° ' ' (1)
Notes: Dimensions are as seen on long exposure photographs, objects appear smaller visually.
All co-ordinates are epoch 2000.0.
(1). Magnitude is that of the illuminating star.
(2). Magnitude is that of nebula itself.
TABLE 36. 7 DARK NEBULAE
A rather short list this one, comprised mainly of a few of the dark nebulae catalogued by E. E. Barnard (1857-1923) and published in his A Photographic Atlas of Selected Regions of the Milky Way in 1927. These are some of the most notable 'holes' on the sky, distinct areas where there are few stars in comparison to the area immediately surrounding them. They are in fact dust clouds obscuring most of the stars behind and appear as an unusually dark patch. For obvious reasons no magnitude is quoted for these objects.
Apart from the Coal Sack most of those listed below are largely the province of telescopes and binoculars - and a very dark observing site! Either that or photographs will show these objects. Not listed below is an interesting Northern Hemisphere counterpoint to the Coal Sack, the Cygnus Rift, a great dark band appearing in the Milky Way alongside the 'Northern Cross' or 'Swan' asterism of Cygnus. Once spotted it becomes obvious, and it covers a huge area of sky stretching roughly from Deneb (alpha Cygni) to the small constellation of Scutum.
No Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Area Notes
h m ° ' ' (sq. deg.)
- Cru 12 53 -63 400 x 300 26.2 The Coal Sack
B134 Aql 19 40.7 +10 57 80 x 50 1.11 -
B 33 Ori 05 40.9 -02 28 6 x 4 0.06 Horsehead Nebula
B 92 Sgr 18 15.5 -18 11 15 0.04 -
B133 Aql 19 06.1 -06 50 10 x 3 0.03 -
B 72 Oph 17 23.5 -23 38 30 0.03 Barnard's 'S' nebula
B 86 Sgr 18 02.7 -27 50 4 x 3 0.03 -
No Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Area Notes
h m ° ' ' (sq. deg.)
TABLE 37. THE LOCAL GROUP OF GALAXIES
Name R.A. Dec. Type Abs. Vis. Dist. Diam.
h m ° ' mag. mag. (l.y) (l.y.)
The Galaxy Sb/Sc -20.6 - - 100 000
Sagittarius Dwarf 19 00 -29 00 dSph -13.0 - 81 500 10 000
Large Magellanic Cloud 05 24 -69 45 Ir III-IV -18.1 0.1 160 000 30 000
Small Magellanic Cloud 00 53 -72 50 Ir IV-V -16.2 2.3 190 000 16 000
Ursa Minor dwarf 15 08 +67 12 dSph -8.9 12.0 205 500 2 000
Draco Dwarf 17 20 +57 55 dSph -8.6 11.0 248 000 3 000
Sculptor Dwarf 00 59 -33 42 dSph -10.7 10.0 254 000 5 000
Sextans Dwarf 10 13 -01 37 dSph -10.0 - 257 500 -
Carina Dwarf 06 41 -50 58 dSph -8.9 - 283 500 -
Fornax Dwarf 02 40 -34 32 dSph -13.7 8.0 427 000 7 000
Leo II 11 13 +22 10 dSph -9.4 11.5 701 000 3 000
Leo I 10 08 +12 18 dSph -11.7 9.8 890 000 2 000
Phoenix Dwarf 01 51 -44 27 dIr/dSph -9.9 - 1 271 000 -
NGC 6822 19 44 -14 48 Ir IV-V -16.4 9.0 1 760 500 5 000
NGC 185 00 39 +48 20 dSph/dE3p -15.3 9.2 2 021 000 8 000
NGC 147 00 33 +48 30 dSph/dE5 -15.1 9.3 2 152 000 2 000
Andromeda Galaxy (M 31) 00 42 +41 16 Sb I-II -21.1 3.4 2 363 500 130 000
M 32 (NGC 221) 00 40 +41 41 E2 -16.4 8.2 2 363 500 6 000
M 110 (NGC 205) 00 40 +41 41 S0/E5p -16.3 8.0 2 363 500 12 000
Andromeda I 00 45 +38 00 dSph -11.8 13.2 2 363 500 2 000
Andromeda II 01 16 +33 27 dSph -11.8 13.0 2 363 500 -
Andromeda III 00 35 +36 31 dSph -10.3 13.0 2 363 500 -
LGS 3 01 03 +21 53 dIr -10.2 15.0 2 477 500 -
IC 1613 01 05 +02 07 IrV -14.9 9.3 2 494 000 8 000
M 33 01 33 +30 39 Sc II-III -18.9 5.7 2 592 000 52 000
Aquarius Dwarf (DDO210) 20 47 -12 51 dIr -11.5 - 2 608 000 -
Tucana Dwarf 22 41 -64 25 dSph -9.5 - 2 836 000 -
WLM 00 02 +15 28 Ir IV-V -14.1 10.9 3 064 500 -
Sagittarius (SagDIG) 19 20 -17 41 dIr -11.0 15.0 3 586 000 -
Antlia Dwarf 10 04 -27 20 dSph -10.7 14.8 3 749 000 -
IC 10 00 20 +59 18 dIr -17.6 10.3 4 075 000 -
Name R.A. Dec Type Abs. Vis. Dist. Diam.
h m ° ' mag. mag. (l.y) (l.y.)
TABLE 38. 92 GALAXIES
It must be said that these 'Island Universes' are among the more difficult targets for any observer. Hardly surprising really, they are so distant! That said, some of them can be seen with the naked eye. The Magellanic Clouds, so named after the explorer Ferdinand Magellan who saw them when he sailed the southern oceans, are plainly visible to the naked eye but you do have to be well into the Southern Hemisphere to see them.
For northern observers the object most often sought is the Andromeda Galaxy, M31, reputedly the most distant object visible to the naked eye - a mere snip at 2.2 million light years distant. It is an easy binocular target. The Pinwheel Galaxy is in theory visible to the naked eye, indeed it has been reported as such by many observers. Personally, I have never been able to make it out. A few others may be attainable with binoculars but in reality galaxies are best seen with telescopes, and the bigger the better to gather the tiny amount of light coming reaching us from such vast distances.
While it is sometimes possible to make out some detail when seeing a galaxy in a telescope it must be said that only photographs bring out the kind of detail we may be spoiled with in books and magazines. For the most part galaxies appear as fuzzy patches. Below is a list of some 92 galaxies that are of magnitude 9.9 or brighter...
NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Mag. Notes No. No. No. h m ° ' ' - - LMC Dor 05 23.6 -69 45 650 x 550 0.1 Large Magellanic Cloud - - SMC Tuc 00 53 -72 50 280 x 160 2.3 Small Magellanic Cloud 224 31 - And 00 42.7 +41 16 178 x 63 3.5 Spiral, type Sb, The Andromeda Galaxy 598 33 - Tri 01 33.9 +30 39 62 x 39 5.7 Spiral, type Sc, The Pinwheel Galaxy 3031 81 - UMa 09 55.6 +69 04 25.7 x 14.1 6.9 Spiral, type Sb, Bode's Nebula 5128 - - Cen 13 25.5 -43 01 18.2 x 14.3 7.0 Spherical, type S0p, Centaurus A 253 - - Scl 00 47.6 -25 17 25.1 x 7.4 7.1 Spiral, type Scp 5457 101 - UMa 14 03.2 +54 21 26.9 x 26.3 7.7 Spiral, type Sc, Pinwheel 205 110 - And 00 40.4 +41 41 17.4 x 9.8 8.0 Elliptical, type E6, companion to M31 221 32 - And 00 42.7 +40 52 7.6 x 5.6 8.2 Elliptical, type E2, companion to M31 4736 94 - CVn 12 50.9 +41 07 11.0 x 9.1 8.2 Spiral, type Sb 5236 83 - Hya 13 37.0 -29 52 11.2 x 10.2 8.2 Spiral, type Sc 55 - - Scl 00 14.9 -39 11 32.4 x 6.5 8.2 Barred-spiral, type SB 4258 106 - CVn 12 19.0 +47 18 18.2 x 7.9 8.3 Spiral, type Sb 4594 104 - Vir 12 40.0 -11 37 8.9 x 4.1 8.3 Spiral, type Sb, The Sombrero 2403 - - Cam 07 36.9 +65 36 17.8 x 11.0 8.4 Spiral, type Sc 5194 51 - CVn 13 29.9 +47 12 11.0 x 7.8 8.4 Spiral, type Sc 3034 82 - UMa 09 55.8 +69 41 11.2 x 4.6 8.4 Irregular, type Pec 4472 49 - Vir 12 29.8 +08 00 8.9 x 7.4 8.4 Elliptical, type E4 4826 64 - Com 12 56.7 +21 41 9.3 x 5.4 8.5 Spiral, type Sb 1291 - - Eri 03 17.3 -41 08 10.5 x 9.1 8.5 Barred-spiral, type SBa 5055 63 - CVn 13 15.8 +42 02 12.3 x 7.6 8.6 Spiral, type Sb 4486 87 - Vir 12 30.8 +12 24 7.2 x 6.8 8.6 Elliptical, type E1, Virgo A 300 - - Scl 00 54.9 -37 41 20.0 x 14.8 8.7 Spiral, type Sd 1068 77 - Cet 02 42.7 -00 01 6.9 x 5.9 8.8 Barred-spiral, type SBp 1316 - - For 03 22.7 -37 12 7.1 x 5.5 8.8 Barred-spiral, type SB0p 4649 60 - Vir 12 43.7 +11 33 7.2 x 6.2 8.8 Elliptical, type E1 247 - - Cet 00 47.1 -20 46 20.0 x 7.4 8.9 Spiral, type S 3521 - - Leo 11 05.8 -00 02 9.5 x 5.0 8.9 Spiral, type Sb 3627 66 - Leo 11 20.2 +12 59 8.7 x 4.4 9.0 Spiral, type Sb 6744 - - Pav 19 09.8 -63 51 15.5 x 10.2 9.0 Barred-spiral, type SBb 7793 - - Scl 23 57.8 -32 35 9.1 x 6.6 9.1 Spiral, type Sd 3115 - - Sxt 10 05.2 -07 43 8.3 x 3.2 9.1 Elliptical, type E6, Spindle Galaxy - - IC342 Cam 03 46.8 +68 06 17.8 x 17.4 9.2 Barred-spiral, type SBc 185 - - Cas 00 39.0 +48 20 11.5 x 9.8 9.2 Dwarf elliptical, type dE0 4725 - - Com 12 50.4 +25 30 11.0 x 7.9 9.2 Barred-spiral, type SBb 1097 - - For 02 46.3 -30 17 9.3 x 6.6 9.2 Barred-spiral, type SBb 3368 96 - Leo 10 46.8 +11 49 7.1 x 5.1 9.2 Spiral, type Sa 628 74 - Psc 01 36.7 +15 47 10.2 x 9.5 9.2 Spiral, type Sc 4406 86 - Vir 12 26.2 +12 57 7.4 x 5.5 9.2 Elliptical, type E3 4631 - - CVn 12 42.1 +32 32 15.1 x 3.3 9.3 Spiral, type Sc 147 - - Cas 00 33.2 +48 30 12.9 x 8.1 9.3 Dwarf elliptical, type dE4 4382 85 - Com 12 25.4 +18 11 7.1 x 5.2 9.3 Spherical, type Ep 3623 65 - Leo 11 18.9 +13 05 10.0 x 3.3 9.3 Spiral, type Sa 3379 105 - Leo 10 47.8 +12 35 4.5 x 4.0 9.3 Elliptical, type E1 6822 - - Sgr 19 44.9 -14 48 10.2 x 9.5 9.3 Irregular, Barnard's Galaxy 2841 - - UMa 09 22.0 +50 58 8.1 x 3.8 9.3 Spiral, type Sb 4374 84 - Vir 12 25.1 +12 53 5.0 x 4.4 9.3 Elliptical, type E1 4693 - - Vir 12 48.6 -05 48 6.0 x 3.8 9.3 Elliptical, type E3 4449 - - CVn 12 28.2 +44 06 5.1 x 3.7 9.4 Irregular 4321 100 - Com 12 22.9 +15 49 6.9 x 6.2 9.4 Spiral, type Sc 1313 - - Ret 03 18.3 -66 30 8.5 x 6.6 9.4 Barred-spiral, type SBd 4945 - - Cen 13 05.4 -49 29 20.0 x 4.4 9.5 Barred-spiral, type SBc 4501 88 - Com 12 32.0 +14 25 6.9 x 3.9 9.5 Barred-spiral, type SBb 1553 - - Dor 04 16.2 +55 47 4.1 x 2.8 9.5 Spherical, type S0 1365 - - For 03 33.6 -36 08 9.8 x 5.5 9.5 Barred-spiral, type SBb 3628 - Arp317 Leo 11 20.3 +13 36 14.8 x 3.6 9.5 Spiral, type Sb 7331 - - Peg 22 37.1 +34 25 10.7 x 4.0 9.5 Spiral, type Sb 1023 - - Per 02 40.4 +39 04 8.7 x 3.3 9.5 Elliptical, type E7p 4569 90 - Vir 12 36.8 +13 10 9.5 x 4.7 9.5 Spiral, type Sb 5195 - - CVn 13 30.0 +47 16 5.4 x 4.3 9.6 Peculiar, companion to M51 4565 - - Com 12 36.3 +25 59 16.2 x 2.8 9.6 Spiral, type Sb 4699 - - Vir 12 49.0 -08 40 3.5 x 2.7 9.6 Spiral, type Sa 4636 - - Vir 12 42.8 +02 41 6.2 x 5.0 9.6 Elliptical, type E1 4699 - - Vir 12 49.0 -08 40 3.5 x 2.7 9.6 Spiral, type Sa 6946 - - Cep 20 34.8 +60 09 11.0 x 9.8 9.7 Spiral, type Sc 4236 - - Dra 12 16.7 +69 26 18.8 x 6.9 9.7 Spiral, type Sb 1398 - - For 03 38.9 -26 20 6.6 x 5.2 9.7 Barred-spiral, type SBb 3351 95 - Leo 10 44.0 +11 42 7.4 x 5.1 9.7 Barred-spiral, type SBb 2683 - - Lyn 08 52.7 +33 25 9.3 x 2.5 9.7 Spiral, type Sc 3184 - - UMa 10 18.3 +41 25 6.9 x 6.8 9.7 Spiral, type Sc 4303 61 - Vir 12 21.9 +04 28 6.0 x 5.5 9.7 Spiral, type Sc 4214 - - CVn 12 15.6 +36 20 7.9 x 6.3 9.8 Irregular 4490 - - CVn 13 30.6 +41 48 5.9 x 3.1 9.8 Spiral, type Sc 5005 - - CVn 13 10.9 +37 03 5.4 x 2.7 9.8 Spiral, type Sb 4245 99 - Com 12 18.8 +14 25 5.4 x 4.8 9.8 Spiral, type Sc 4559 - - Com 12 36.0 +27 58 10.5 x 4.9 9.8 Spiral, type Sc 4125 - - Dra 12 08.1 +65 11 5.1 x 3.2 9.8 Elliptical, type E5p 1407 - - Eri 03 40.2 -18 35 2.5 x 2.5 9.8 Elliptical, type E0 3077 - - UMa 10 03.3 +68 44 4.6 x 3.6 9.8 Elliptical, type E2p 4535 - - Vir 12 34.3 +08 12 6.8 x 5.0 9.8 Barred-spiral, type SBc 4552 89 - Vir 12 35.7 +12 33 4.2 x 4.2 9.8 Elliptical, type E0 4579 58 - Vir 12 37.7 +11 49 5.4 x 4.4 9.8 Spiral, type Sb 4621 59 - Vir 12 42.0 +11 39 5.1 x 3.4 9.8 Elliptical, type E3 891 - - And 02 22.6 +42 21 13.5 x 2.8 9.9 Spiral, type Sb - - IC1613 Cet 01 04.8 +02 07 12.0 x 11.2 9.9 Irregular 1808 - - Col 05 07.7 -37 32 7.2 x 4.1 9.9 Barred-spiral, type SBa 1549 - - Dor 04 15.7 -55 36 3.7 x 3.2 9.9 Elliptical, type E0 1399 - - For 03 38.5 -35 27 3.2 x 3.1 9.9 Elliptical, E1p 3261 - - Hya 11 18.3 -32 49 10.0 x 6.5 9.9 Spiral, type Sc 3344 - - LMi 10 43.5 +24 55 6.9 x 6.5 9.9 Spiral, type Sc 4753 - - Vir 12 52.4 -01 12 5.4 x 2.9 9.9 Peculiar NGC M Other Con. R.A. Dec. Dia. min. Mag. Notes No. No. No. h m ° ' '
Notes: Dimensions are as seen on long exposure photographs, objects appear smaller visually.
All co-ordinates are epoch 2000.0.
Feedback about this site and suggestions for additional information and pages are welcome, please send an e-mail to The Webmaster.
© Derek Haselden 2008