What are some bright and interesting deep sky objects for telescope observing that aren't messier objects?

Question

I have 12'' reflector and I'm newbie in amateur astronomy. What are some very observable objects that Messier didn't list in his catalogue? Since there are many objects in NGC catalogue, it is difficult for me to distinguish which are interesting objects. I appreciate every answer and suggestion.

Answer 1

One good way to find targets of interest is to download the star map at:

http://skymaps.com/skymaps/tesmn1012.pdf

and another good resource is to download the Stellarium planetarium application at:

http://www.stellarium.org/

I usually consult these two things, make a list of interesting objects I want to view/photograph before I go out.

Answer 2

Double CLuster, Eskimo Nebula, Hyades, Perseus A cluter, Mel 111, Blue Snowball, Ghost of Jupiter, Ghost of Saturn, are all bright Caldwell Objects. 3 of the clusters are best seen in binoculars since they are so large.



Steven O'Mera has a good DSO book series for Caldwel objects, and Hidden Treasures, and will have a 4th book in the series this spring (1st was Messier objects). I believe more thought went into the hidden treasure list than the Caldwell list, but some of the very best non-messier objects made it to the Caldwell list.

Answer 3

Winter Objects:

VY Canis Majoris (DEC−25° 46′ 03.17″ RA07h 22m 58.33s HUGE star. One of the largest known)

Horsehead Nebula Barnard 33 (Dark nebula situated against a bright emission nebula. Need a large telescope with an H beta filter and a dark sky.)

Hyades Cluster (An open cluster near Aldebaran, use binocs to browse. Very close cluster)

Depending on your latitude, there are some really cool things in Puppis.



Spring Objects:

GALAXY SEASON!

Virgo Cluster (Closest galaxy cluster, brighter members are Messier objects but the overlooked fainter ones aren't. Use a small magnification and center on M87 and than slew slowly around randomly. Unforgettable view.)

Coma Cluster (Fainteter and farther cluster than Virgo, it is just located north of the Virgo Cluster in Coma Berenices. Center your telescope on NGC 4884 and you should see many smudges. Those are all galaxies 250 million light years away. It is also known as Abell 1656.

Check out some of the cool galaxies in Ursa Major and Canes Venatici.

Depending on your latitude, Omega Centauri (NGC 5139), the best rated globalar cluster might rise. You need to be at least at 34 degrees north, have a flat horizon and catch it at the right time. It is in the southern constellation Centaurus which doesn't rise hardly at all.

NGC 4565 (Edge on galaxy in Coma Berenices)



Summer Objects:

Take your binocs and browse around some of the star clusters in Sagittarius. No need for a telescope here.

Check out some of the cool galaxies in Draco.

Check out VV Cephei.



Fall Objects:

Perseus Double Cluster (Double cluster in Persues. NGC 869 and 884. Use small magnification.)

NGC 891 (Edge on galaxy in Andromeda)

Stephans Quintet (Compact galaxy group in Pegasus.)

Omciron Ceti or Mira (Famous variable star in Cetus).



I recommend buying Collins Atlas of the Night sky. This will help introduce you to new objects.



Make sure you do a trip to the south! The brightest galaxies, open cluster, nebulae, and globular clusters, and stars are down under, NOT UP HERE! In addition, if you go to the South in the month of July, Sagittarius comes up at Zenith and you get the FULL view of the Milky Way. From the north, Sagittarius is always low on the southern horizon.



Good luck. Find those stars!

Answer 4

Some of the brightest include the Double Cluster (NGC 869 and 884), the Owl Cluster (NGC457), the galaxy NGC4565, and the Veil Nebula.



ADDED: The Veil is significantly harder to see than the rest of these. In fact, I pretty much listed these targets in the order of increased observing difficulty. I generally need an Olll filter and a nice dark sky to see the Veil. It's also pretty low right now.

Answer 5

What about the Caldwell Objects?



This is a catalogue of Patrick Moore's 100 favourite objects which rivals the Messier catalogue



Find a list here



http://www.space-and-telescope.com/CaldwellObjects.aspx

Answer 6

There are thousands of NGC objects and you need a guide book. I follow Burnham's Celestial Handbook (3 volumes). But I find NGC is messier and it is better to follow the 'Messier' list in stead. He did a marvelous job and gives us a 'digest' of all such interesting objects and not a mess (fit for professional Astronomers) covering the Northern Hemisphere.

But we miss a lot of interesting objects in southern skies. In fact there it is much more richer there as the Milkyway's center and such parts are in south. Coalsacks, Eta Carina, Magellanic clouds (LMC & SMC), Jewel box are the well-known. Milkyway in the constellations starting Monoceos, through Puppis, Vela, Carina, Crux, Ara, Norma, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Scutum, Serpens (Cauda) can engage one for a lifetime.

The other region to watch is the clusters of galaxies in Virgo, Coma Berenice & Canes Venatici, near the Galactic North Pole. There is not much activity in the galactic south pole except the Fornax group of extreme distant cluster of galaxies. My hunch is the disc of Milkyway prevents us from viewing them. But much of it is not for small or medium telescopes.

Answer 7

a good length refracter is mostly a good selection for a 1st telescope,it is no longer complicated,you will see that the planets o.k., evaluate getting an equatorial mount,that mount can carry on with a objective greater perfect devoid of realignment. in case you reside in the city a refracter may well be all you like,in case you reside in the rustic the place it receives very darkish ,a greater physically powerful reflecter would be greater perfect to seem at deep area products.