Image Credits: Joe Haberthier, Steve Childers, Bill Rankin, and other FAS members.
One of the biggest challenges for someone starting out in astronomy is to learn and navigate the night sky. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you.
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Highlights and Sky Charts
Several resources publish Highlights and Sky Charts of the night sky for various times of the year.
Night Sky Highlights
NASA Skywatching
NASA What’s Up
In The Sky (Astronomy Magazine)
This Week’s Sky (Sky &Telescope)
This Month’s Sky (Cosmic Pursuits)
Monthly Night Sky (Farmers’ Almanac)
The Sky Live
In-The-Sky.org
The Seasonal Night Skies (FAS Articles)
Other Resources
The Moon
The Moon is often an interesting target to observe. Although, it is best observed during a first or third quarter moon and not during a full moon (which is too bright).
Moon Phases (Introduction)
Current Phase of the Moon
Moon Features
Full Moons (and their names)
More on the Moon
(FAS Astronomers Blog)
Meteor Showers
Meteor showers appear when the Earth travels through the debris from a comet or asteroid. Typically, they are best viewed during a new moon, from dark skies, and after midnight.
Deep-Sky Objects
Once you really get going, you can track down some of those Deep-Sky Objects.
Open Star Clusters
Small and younger clusters of stars that formed at approximately the same time. The best known is the Pleiades (M45).
The double cluster in Perseus (C14) is a great view. Also, look for the ET Cluster (C13) in Cassiopeia.
Globular Star Clusters
Larger and older clusters of stars found outside the plane of the Milky Way. These clusters are over 10 billion years old and contain hundreds of thousands to millions of stars.
The best from the Northern Hemisphere is the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules (M13).
Galaxies
Large collections of stars such as the Milky Way and Andromeda (M31).
The Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) and Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) are two of the more popular observation targets.
Nebulae
Gaseous clouds, typically composed mostly of hydrogen. There are three types of nebula:
- Emission – Areas of hydrogen gas where new stars are forming.
- Reflection – Areas of gas which reflect the light from nearby stars.
- Absorption – Clouds of dust that block or absorb light from other nebulae.
Supernova Remnants
Material ejected from a supernova explosion.
Two well known examples are the crab nebula (M01) and Veil nebula.
Planetary Nebulae
The remnants of stars after they expanded into a red giant where material was blown away from the surviving star core.
The Ring nebula (M57) and the Dumbbell nebula (M27) are two well known examples.
Resources (Deep Sky Objects)
Featured Resources
- To start with, pick up a copy of Left Turn at Orion by Guy Consolmagno and Dan M. Davis. You can find this book on Amazon. They have a Left Turn at Orion webpage as well.
- For an introduction to where deep sky objects can be found, see “The Deep Sky.” FAS Astronomers Blog. June 2022.
- For information about what is currently visible, see “Objects In the Night Sky.” In-The-Sky.org.
- For a more detailed list of deep sky objects, see Michael Vlasov. “Illustrated Deep-Sky Observing Guide.” Deep-Sky Watch.
- For a list of viewing targets, see “Astronomy Tools & Astrophotography/Targets for Your Telescopes.” Telescopius.
- Check out several “smart” astrophotography telescopes for beginners, including the Seestar S50 and S30 from ZWO.
Messier Catalog
A hundred or so of the most noticeable objects are classified as Messier objects. This catalog was developed by Charles Messier in the 18th century as a list of objects to avoid when searching for comets.
- “Messier Objects.” Constellation Guide.
- “The Messier Objects.” in-the-sky.org.
- “Messier Catalog: A List Of Deep-Sky Objects.” starlust.
- “Messier Catalog.” Celestron.
- Michael Vlasov. “Illustrated Messier List.” Deep Sky Watch.
- “Hubble’s Messier Catalog.” NASA Science.
- “Messier Catalog – Globular Cluster.” Celestron.
- “Mastering the Messier Objects.” Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4. Astronomical League.
Caldwell Catalog
The 109 brightest objects not included in the Messier Catalog are found in the Caldwell Catalogue, which was compiled by Patrick Moore in December 1995.
- “Caldwell Catalogue.” Constellation Guide.
- “Hubble’s Caldwell Catalog.” NASA.
- “The Caldwell Objects.” in-the-sky.org.
NGC & IC Catalogs
Most deep sky objects are included in the New General Catalog and have NGC numbers. Others have IC numbers and are in the Index Catalog.
- “The New General Catalog (NGC).” in-the-sky.org.
- Michael Vlasov. “Illustrated NGC Objects List.” Deep-Sky Watch.
- “The Index Catalog.” in-the-sky.org.
Additional Resources
- “Best Deep-Sky Objects for Beginners (Northern Hemisphere).” Star Walk. March 7, 2024.
- Michael E. Bakich. “The Deep Sky.” Astronomy.” March 15, 2010.
- David Fuller. “Best deep-sky objects for beginners.” Astronomy. December 6, 2022.
- Michael E. Bakich. “101 cosmic objects you must see.” Astronomy. January 2022 Issue.
- “Deep Sky Objects – Nebulae, Galaxies, Star Clusters.” Celestron.
- Anton Vamplew. “Deep-sky catalogues: a guide to astronomical referencing.” BBC Sky At Night Magazine. August 21, 2020.
- “Observing Galaxies” / “Observación de galaxias.” Astronomical League Handout.
- “Smart” Astrophotography for Beginners.” FAS.
- Michael Vlasov. “Illustrated Deep-Sky Observing Guide.” Deep-Sky Watch.
Here are two handouts listing many of the deep sky objects that are visible.
Messier Marathon
If you’re even more adventurous, you might try a Messier Marathon. This is an attempt to find most of the Messier objects in a single night. Good Luck!
- How to observe a Messier marathon (Astronomy Magazine)
- Messier Marathon Guide (Astronomy Magazine)
- The Ultimate Guide to Conquering the Messier Marathon (Celestron)
- Messier Marathon (Messier Objects)
- The Messier Marathon (Messier.sed.org)
- Messier Catalog (AstroPixels)
- Messier Observing Program (Astronomical League)
- Messier Marathon (Memphis Astronomical Society) including an Hour by Hour plan
- Messier marathon sequence (Go Astronomy)
- Messier Marathon: Tips to Capture All 110 Objects in One Night! (Galactic Hunter).
- The Messier Marathon Search Sequence (Don Machholz in his Messier Marathon Observer’s Guide).
- The Messier List, Telrad Finder Charts
Planispheres
If you’re old fashioned, you might try an adjustable “star wheel” known as a Planisphere.
A planisphere allows you to dial in the day of the year and the time of night to see a map of the night sky as it appears on the selected day and time.
Guide to the Stars (Ken Graun/Amazon)
Astronomy Magazines
Information about astronomy, including observing highlights for the current month, are available from several astronomy magazines.
FAS Astronomers Blogs
FAS has several Astronomy Blogs with more information about observing the planets, stars, and other objects.
Celestial Measurements
When you do venture out into the night, there are some helpful hints and rule you should follow:
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