Deep-Sky Objects | Astronomy.com

The best deep-sky targets in Taurus

Michael E. Bakich — Thu, 12 Dec 2024 14:00:00 +0000

The constellation Taurus the Bull is an easy one to find in the Northern Hemisphere’s fall and winter skies. It stands opposite the Sun at the beginning of December. The head of the figure is a large V of stars, and standing out among them is the ruddy 1st-magnitude star Aldebaran (Alpha [α] Tauri) markingContinue reading "The best deep-sky targets in Taurus"

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ESO captures Dark Wolf Nebula stalking across the Milky Way

Korey Haynes — Tue, 12 Nov 2024 16:15:11 +0000

Inside the bright but unassumingly named nebula Gum 55 lies a dark nebula — a rift of dust grains that absorb visible light — creating a swatch of darkness against the glow of bright gas. Fittingly named for its shape, the Dark Wolf Nebula is no mere puppy — it spans an area some fourContinue reading "ESO captures Dark Wolf Nebula stalking across the Milky Way "

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Five ‘shy,’ lesser-known deep-sky gems to observe

Stuart Atkinson — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Many constellations are well-known for having one very special deep-sky object within their borders, something so famous that when you read or hear that constellation’s name, you instantly think of it, like an astronomical word association game. Orion? The Orion Nebula! Andromeda? The Andromeda Galaxy, of course! Lyra? Easy — the Ring Nebula. And Perseus?Continue reading "Five ‘shy,’ lesser-known deep-sky gems to observe"

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Observe the Andromeda Galaxy: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

David J. Eicher — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 16:04:49 +0000

In this episode, Dave Eicher invites you to observe one of the most famous deep-sky objects, the Andromeda Galaxy, also known as Messier 31 (M31). Named for its location in the constellation Andromeda the Princess, M31 lies some 2.5 million light-years from Earth. While sharp-eyed observers can see it without optical aid, binoculars and telescopes giveContinue reading "Observe the Andromeda Galaxy: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher"

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Will my telescope show color when viewing deep-sky objects?

Astronomy Staff — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 14:00:00 +0000

How much color should I be able to see in sky objects through a 10-inch telescope? Dennis HoltConcordia, Kansas Unfortunately, when you look at distant galaxies and nebulae, you won’t see much color through your telescope. That’s because you’re viewing objects that are too faint to trigger your eyes’ color receptors. This is the sameContinue reading "Will my telescope show color when viewing deep-sky objects?"

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How we found Morehouse’s Black Ring: A dark nebula hiding in plain sight

Stephen James O'Meara — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

In the pioneering days of long-exposure astrophotography in the late 19th century, the use of dry plates over wet collodion plates simplified the photographic process. The increased light sensitivity of the emulsion coatings on dry plates allowed for shorter exposure times and produced sharper images of the night sky. In 1881, the French inventors brothersContinue reading "How we found Morehouse’s Black Ring: A dark nebula hiding in plain sight"

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Observe the galaxies of Sculptor

Michael E. Bakich — Fri, 04 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

The constellation Sculptor is not an easy star pattern to find, but it’s worth the effort because it contains some gorgeous deep-sky objects. Its name comes from French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille, who surveyed the southern sky from 1750 to 1753 at the Cape of Good Hope. He called the pattern “The Sculptor’s Workshop,”Continue reading "Observe the galaxies of Sculptor"

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Deep-sky objects to target as a novice observer

David J. Eicher — Tue, 01 Oct 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Do you remember the first time you truly discovered the universe? When I was a teenager, many moons ago, I bought my first telescope, a Celestron 8. I remember excitedly unboxing it the day it arrived. Fortunately, I had a clear sky that evening and stayed up all night observing. In the early morning, IContinue reading "Deep-sky objects to target as a novice observer"

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Observe a great star cluster: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher

David J. Eicher — Wed, 04 Sep 2024 17:39:46 +0000

Take some time to point binoculars or a telescope at open cluster NGC 457, which lies in the constellation Cassiopeia. You’ll first notice a pair of bright stars that give this deep-sky object the appearance of a common bird. Indeed, Astronomy magazine Editor Dave Eicher christened it the Owl Cluster more than 40 years ago.Continue reading "Observe a great star cluster: This Week in Astronomy with Dave Eicher"

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How to grasp the scale of the cosmos from your backyard

Michael E. Bakich — Thu, 08 Aug 2024 13:00:00 +0000

When amateur astronomers participate in star parties for the general public, the subject of distances in space always comes up. The immensity of our universe never fails to fascinate curious minds. But when it comes to truly grasping it — let alone explaining it — words and numbers often fall short. It might be good,Continue reading "How to grasp the scale of the cosmos from your backyard"

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