Here are images of 253 bright non Messier objects. They might give you some ideas for targets. http://picasaweb.google.com/dunlop18...essierCatalog#
I used the same magnitude limits as the Messier catalogue.
OC to mag 8.0 (selected using mag 14.0 colour images). GC to mag 9.2.
PN to mag 11.0 (12" or more in size). Gxy to mag 10.1. All of these objects are visible in a 6" scope.
Images are from www.wikisky.org and most images are 56' x 56'.
Objects were selected using the magnitudes in http://www.saguaroastro.org/content/downloads.htm
Cheers Glen. I'm working my way through trying to get a snap of every visible Messier object currently, and thought I might move on to these next year. Thanks again for such a practical resource.
The attached file gives approximate distances to the 361 objects in an All SkyMessier Catalog and 5 rough maps.
There are 108 Messier objects and 253 non M objects. It also includes some history.
Most of the objects were discovered by:
William Herschel, 125 objects
James Dunlop, 50 objects
Charles Messier, 40 objects
Pierre Mechain, 26 objects
Nicolas Lacaille, 19 objects
John Herschel, 19 objects