Easy Deep Sky Objects

[glenc]

This is the first of five posts on easy deep sky objects.
All of these objects are south of declination +40 so they are visible from all of Australia including Tasmania.

Open Clusters (OC) are the easiest deep sky objects for beginners to see. I think the best OC are:
M45, M37, M35, M41, NGC 2477, NGC 2516, NGC 3114, NGC 3293, NGC 3532, NGC 3766, NGC 4755, NGC 6231, M6, M7, M23, M25 and M11.

All of these are visible with binoculars tonight. The list above is in RA order.
When I started out I used a star map to identify the 20 brightest stars in the sky then I used a map and binoculars to find bright deep sky objects like these.

[Solanum]

Not when there's a storm blowing like here! :) But, seriously, thanks for that - it's kind of what I was trying to do last night, except I was skipping the open clusters, as I've never found them that exciting (though I have spent some time looking at the Pleiedes and Hyades). I shall search them out when the sky is clear and look forward to the next instalment.

I have my copy of Hartungs on order, but it's not turned up yet......

[ballaratdragons]

I'm glad I'm not the only one not overly excited by open clusters! I only like a few. The rest, I must admit, I find rather boring :lol:

I've also found that open clusters are not very high on the 'oooohhh, aaaahhhhh' scale at public viewing nights.

Oh well, each to their own :thumbsup:

[MikeyB]

Thanks, Glen - as a newer stargazer, your suggested 'targets for tonight' are much appreciated. We've all gotta start somewhere!

[glenc]

This is the second of five posts on easy deep sky objects. All of these objects are south of declination +40 so they are visible from all of Australia including Tasmania.

Globular Clusters (GC) are easy deep sky objects for beginners to see. I think the best GC are:
47 Tuc, NGC 362, NGC 2808, Omega Cen, M 3, M 5, M 4, M 13, M 12, M 10, M 62, NGC 6388, NGC 6397, NGC 6541, M 22, NGC 6752, M 55, M 15, M 2

The list above is in RA order. Most of these are visible with binoculars tonight.

[glenc]

This is the third of five posts on easy deep sky objects. All of these galaxies are south of declination +42 so they are visible from all of Australia except M31 is difficult from Hobart. (maximum altitude 6 degrees)

Most of these galaxies (GXY) are easy deep sky objects for beginners to see. I think the best GXY are:
NGC 55, M 31, NGC 253, SMC, NGC 300, M 33, M 77, NGC 1291, NGC 1313, NGC 1316, LMC, NGC 2903, NGC 3115, NGC 3521
M 66, M 84, M 85, M 86, M 49, M 87, M 104, M 60, M 64, NGC 4945, NGC 5128, M 83, NGC 7793

The above list is in RA order. The galaxies in Virgo transit tonight at about midnight AEST.

[glenc]

This is the fourth of five posts on easy deep sky objects. All of these objects are south of declination +40 so they are visible from all of Australia including Tasmania.

These planetary nebulae (PN) are not easy to find but are easy to see once you locate them. I think the best PN are:
NGC 1360*, NGC 1535, NGC 2392, NGC 2440, NGC 3132, NGC 3242, NGC 3918*, NGC 5189, IC 4406, NGC 6302, M 57, NGC 6818*
M 27, NGC 7009, NGC 7293

The list above is in RA order.
* 1360 is large and faint, 3918 and 6818 are small and they need high power.

[glenc]

This is the last of five posts on easy deep sky objects. All of these objects are south of declination +40 so they are visible from all of Australia including Tasmania.

These nebulae can be seen with an 8 inch telescope and an UHC filter. I think the best nebulae are:
NGC 346, NGC 1763, M 1, M 42, NGC 2070, M 78, NGC 2237, NGC 2467,
NGC 3372, IC 2948, IC 4628, M 20, M 8, M 16, M 17, NGC 6726, NGC 6992

The list above is in RA order. 346 is in the SMC. 1763 and 2070 are in the LMC.
UHC filters are great for emission nebulae, as good as having a much bigger telescope.

[wavelandscott]

Great list and thanks for the post...is it possible to pull them into a spreadsheet or other document?

Combined with an observation report sheet they form the basis of a good observation log!

[glenc]

This is the combined list of 95 objects in RA order.
There are 27 galaxies, 19 globular clusters, 17 open clusters, 17 nebulae and 15 planetary nebulae.
Magnitude ranges from 0.4 to 10.3. The faintest objects are the PN NGC 5189 and IC 4406.
Declination ranges from -72 to +41. The most northerly objects are M31 and M13.
The Sun is now at RA 0 and midnight is RA 12.
You can copy this tab delimited file to a spreadsheet.
Let me know when you have seen them all.

[gaa_ian]

Glen, you are a goldmine of information.
I will use this list at our next observing night.
Or perhaps as a target list for the new LX-90 GPS that has recently been donated to our local high school. :thumbsup:

[glenc]

This SkyMapPro map shows 20 Virgo galaxies just after midnight with north at the bottom of the page. I usually start from rho(30) Vir (mag 4.9) and move down 1.4 deg to M 59 and M 60.
http://www.skymap.com/

[Rob_K]

Thanks for your lists Glen - they are very well thought out and useful. I don't use my binoculars much (12x50) but last night I took them out on spec to see if I could spot a few of your brighter galaxies. Was very pleasantly surprised to see three straight off in the north-eastern sky - M104 Sombrero (tiny, but showed distinctive shape), M83 Southern Pinwheel (a larger, dim circular shape), and even NGC5128 Centaurus A (faint blob). The latter I even have difficulty with in my small scope. So it was a valuable and exciting lesson for me, and I look forward to more opportunities to cast my battered old binocs around the heavens! Thanks again.

Cheers -

[glenc]

Thanks for your comments. I strongly recommend using a star atlas and 50mm binoculars to help find DSO.
I also think an 8 inch dobsonian is a good scope for bright DSO objects. eg Guan Sheng GS-680 200mm x 1200mm $449.00 AUD
Combine that with a UHC filter for $130 to $160 and you will see these objects well.
See this page for a comparison of UHC filters. http://www.astrosurf.org/buil/filters/curves.htm

[glenc]

Here is a crude "map" of the 95 DSO. The northern ones are written upside down because we see them that way.

[glenc]

Saw 43 of the 95 objects this morning with 20x80 binoculars. I hope to see all of them with 20x80s.

[leon]

Tnanks for that Glen , great job and very helpful for those finding sometimes difficult to locate objects, like me.............

Now i can enter some of those into Gemini, and say go get em..

Leon

[glenc]

Here is a map with Crux near the middle. It is about 50 degrees wide and 40 high. 14 of the 95 DSO are on this map.
Refr: http://www.skymap.com/

[glenc]

This map shows 12 of the 95 objects in the Sgr area. North is to the left.
http://www.skymap.com/

[glenc]

Saw another 24 objects this morning after the moon set. Have now seen 67 of the 95 with 20x80 binoculars. Also saw M51, M63 and M94 with 20x80s this morning.

[glenc]

Saw 3 more this morning with 20x80s, M2, M15 and N7293.
Also looked at 9 PN with the 12". After the full moon I will look for the remaining 25 of the 95 DSO.

[glenc]

Here is a crude "map" of the 95 DSO. This time it is in colour with different colours and shapes for each type of object.

[glenc]

Here is a sheet to log the 95 DSO.
EP is eyepiece. You may wish to also use eL and eS for extremely large, extremely small etc.
See post #10 for the list and post #22 below for a "map".

[glenc]

The faintest objects in the list of 95 DSO are the two PN NGC 5189 and IC 4406. The smallest object is the PN NGC 3918. This map from SkyMapPro shows all three and 9 other objects from the list of 95 DSO.

[glenc]

These maps are for finding/identifying 15 bright planetary nebulae. The PN are from the list of 95 DSO.

Thanks to Toshimi Taki
http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~zs3t-tk/atlas_85/atlas_85.htm (http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/%7Ezs3t-tk/atlas_85/atlas_85.htm)

See the attached Word doc file.

[glenc]

I did some observing from north of Moree, south of White Cliffs and west of Menindee between 9/4 and 12/4. The sky 3km from White Cliffs was the best with a 360 degree horizon and no lights. I have now seen 87 of the 95 objects in this list using 20x80 binoculars.

[Ingo]

I can't even see 6 magnitude stuff with my scope. :(

[paninaro]

Can we make this post a sticky or have it permanently positioned somewhere on the site as I know that I and others would use it again and again to refer to.

Thanks, Alex.

[gaa_ian]

Those little maps are interesting Glenn, I will use them to punch the numbers into the Go-To, what they really need though is a commentary next to them on what the PN is and where to find it in the sky, Perhaps with a best viewing time.
EG: M57 - Ring Nebula - A bright & obvious ring in any scope 8" and over - In the Constellation Lyra - Best viewed July to Sept 7pm till midnight.

[glenc]

Post #10 gives a list with the name, type, constellation, magnitude size, RA and dec for each object.
Post #22 gives the date when each object is visible at midnight on a crude map.
Objects are visible at 10pm one month later and 8pm two months later than this.
The PN maps in post #25 are to help identify them.

[ispom]

Many objects in your list are for me like exotic fruits,
not visible from Northern Germany,
but I know all of them, there are nice pictures of it.

It is so, if and when I now tell you:
my darlings are M81 and M82 :)

[glenc]

M81 & M82 are great too, I saw them last year. Hope you can get to see the far southern sky some time.

[ispom]

Well, glenc -
I'll visit downunder :)

[glenc]

I saw NGCs 253, 300 and 7793 this morning with 20x80 binoculars. I am waiting for M31, M33 and M77 to be visible in the morning sky.

[sculptor]

An early question on this thread: Are open clusters an acquired taste? NGC 3532 (bang in middle of Glen's list) really is breathtaking - like fine white sand sprinkled by hand on blackness. My way of thinking of open clusters is that their stars are what emerges after the 'hard partying' in a dust-storm like the Lagoon or Tarantula or M42 etc. Most of them are going to be flung into the outer darkness before very long - lotsa movement -they are an evanescent sculpture.

[mickoking]

NGC 3532 is truly an amazing Open cluster. Is there any better?

[glenc]

John Herschel scanned the whole sky in the early 1800s with an 18" and thought that NGC 3532 was the best OC. I prefer the more compact OCs like NGCs 3293, 3766, 4755, and 6231.

[glenc]

NGC 3532
This cluster was discovered by Lacaille and included in his 1755 catalogue as Class II No. 10. In his half-an-inch 8x telescope he saw it as a "prodigious number of faint stars forming a semi-circle of 20/25 minutes diameter."


Dunlop 323: "a very large cluster of stars about the 9th magnitude, with a red star of the 7-8th magnitude, north following the centre of the cluster. Elliptical figure: the stars are pretty regularly scattered."


John Herschel was very impressed with the cluster, including it in a list of 'greatest hits': "Among the nebulae which occur from 9h to 12h we have .. the beautiful planetary nebula [NGC 2867], a perfect planet in appearance, with an attendant satellite; the falcated nebula [NGC 3199]; Eta Argus with its nebula; the superb cluster [NGC 3532]; the blue [Herschel's italics] planetary nebula [NGC 3918], a most exquisite and unique object ; and the beautiful cluster of various coloured stars about Kappa Crucis [NGC 4755]."
His first observation [3532] recorded the "Chief star of a very large, round, loosely scattered cluster of stars 8..12th magnitude, which fills 2 or 3 fields. A fine bright object." His next observation recorded "The chief star of a superb cluster, which has several elegant double stars, and many orange-coloured ones." His third observation reads: "A glorious cluster of immense magnitude, being at least 2 fields in extent every way. The stars are 8, 9, 10 and 11 mag, but chiefly 10th magnitude, of which there must be at least 200. It is the most brilliant object of the kind I have ever seen."
http://www.fortunecity.com/roswell/borley/49/u427.htm#NGC3532

[glenc]

These are arguably the best objects south of declination -20.
There are 8 OC, 8 GC, 8 Neb/PN and 8 Gxy.
The file below is tab delimited and can be copied into a spreadsheet.
The name is usually a NGC number and the file is in RA order.

[glenc]

Saw 78 of the 95 DSO from Ewingar Sate Forest using Alex's 12" Dobsonian last weekend. The 450m altitude and the very dark clear skies made them brighter than usual. Also saw M31 this morning using 20x80 binoculars.

[glenc]

Saw the last two of the 95 DSO this morning with 20x80 binoculars. The last two were M33 and M77 and the 15% crescent moon made M33 difficult to see, I used a wall to keep the moon out of view.
All 95 DSOs were visible with 20x80s but the faint PN were just dots. The Ring nebula M57 had some size to it (mag 9.7, diam 1.2') with 20x80s but smaller and fainter PN were difficult to identify without a map.

[glenc]

Here is a file combining a list, a "map" and a log for recording 95 bright deep sky objects for southern observers.

[erick]

Many thanks Glen - I have my observing plan now!

[glenc]

Eric I hope you enjoy seeing these objects.

[NQLD_Newby]

Thanks Glen,

For newby's like me this is great. Is fantastic the way you have listed the arpeture as well. takes a lot of the frustration out of viewing as you don't waist time looking for things that are not bright enough.
Thanks again. I now have several nights viewing planned out.

[glenc]

Rex, Herveys Range is a good place to view from, I used a 10" up there a while back.
Your 4.5" will show all the objects but some nebula will be very faint.

[NQLD_Newby]

Thanks Glen,
I have actually, been planning a trip out there to see how much darker it was than my place. You were a long way from home? Where did yuo stop out there, I know the road fairly well but there are a lot of b-double trucks travel that road and wasn't sure how disruptive there lights would be.

[glenc]

I go up there every now and then to do research at JCU.

[gaa_ian]

That is Great thanks Glen, all together in one place.

[saraheaston]

Thanks Glen, this is very helpful!

[glenc]

Thanks Sara and Ian. I wish I had your northern skies Ian. Sara you are welcome down here at our monthly viewing night.

[saraheaston]

Thanks Glen, will keep it in mind ... can't promise anything at this stage though due to a busy schedule :)

[astroAJ]

Hi all

I will check some of them out,
all ready seen most of them by now :thumbsup:

[TomB]

Very useful. We should also mention easy doubles, especially those not technically doubles that give the same appearance as doubles. For instance, Gamma Crucis in a small scope has a nice colour contrast like Albireo, as do some others in the Eta Carina area. Many can be seen in binoculars. These simple doubles are great for small scopes and hazy nights when deep sky objects are a wash out.

[night-vision]

Thanks glenc,
As a newbie this list will be a great way for me plan some nights viewing.

[glenc]

Has anyone seen all of the 95 deep sky objects in the list?

[erick]

Gulp! No, not yet Glen. Just haven't been systematic enough or been able to devote enough time :sadeyes:

I'll check tonight and let you know how many I have seen.

If I've looked at the Jewel Box 20 times does that count extra?? :D


ps. OK, just checked the list over lunch. I believe I have 31 observed. A bit of work to be done here.

[night-vision]

I think I've maybe crossed off 10-15 of the 95.

[glenc]

Thanks for the updates. Sorry Eric the answer is no.

[glenc]

I made images of the 95 deep sky objects (DSO), plus a few extras, using http://www.wikisky.org/.
The first one (attached) is the magnitude 7.8 galaxy NGC 55 in Scl. It was found by Dunlop in 1826.

[drahyrt]

Thanks Glen, I am appreciating you sharing this resource, just got my nokkies today, and love the excell workbooks and log, incredible.
An old thread but a great one!

[glenc]

This link will take you to images of 140 DSO including the original 95 Easy DSO.
http://picasaweb.google.com.au/dunlop1826/BrightDSOForSouthernObservers#
Slide the bar at the top right for larger images or click on Slideshow.
The images were made using http://www.wikisky.org/

[wasyoungonce]

Actually I'm pleased you posted this excel sheet giving coordinates in decimal or DMS spread across more than one cell. The document posted is excellent but it always bugs me with coordinates in decimal format or converted to DMS format across many cells.

I am just putting the final touches to excel formula's and macros that do these coordinate conversions in one Excel cell.

That is convert RA (or DEC) Decimal to HMS (or DMS) by applying a cell formula or Macro. Or to reverse the process ...if needed by formula or macro.

I originally wrote Macros to do this and they work well, but, I decided to try to write cell formulas to accomplish the same. There was/is very little on the internet for this type of thing and many of what is there does not do the task correctly.

Anyway, trying to write excel formulas for this was a "Big" task, especially for a novice like me. Many months later I finally have them done...a definite labour!

The excel formulas are ready to go now. I'm just checking/tweaking the Macros as I haven't really touched these for a few months. They'll be done very soon.

I'll post a "How to use these" as an article very soon (Iceman permitting)...but if anyone wants to try them out...feel free..I'll send you the data!

[glenc]

I use decimal because it is better for mapping.

[wasyoungonce]

Fair enough. I was unaware as to why people use decimal degrees. Insert "I am an idiot tag" here:doh:!

But...that means you'll love my Excel formula and macros to automate conversion in the one cell to and fro DD and DMS.:D

[glenc]

If you want hm and dm see here:http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=38919

[wasyoungonce]

Thanks, I don't really need the conversions, I applied my own DD to DMS conversions using my Macros way back when there was a list for 100 Brightest Southern Objects (in the Articles page). But this has all now now changed to 100Galaxys, 111Brightest NGC objects etc.

The original data had coordinates in Decimal Degrees so I played around with Macros to convert these to DMS.

Here is a typical example of the formula (in the 2nd column) converting DEC DD to DMS:

Edit...my post went funny so I uploaded a excel sheet with formulas.:lol:

Edit:

grumble I keep mucking the upload up...finally here it is in Zip.

[Suzy]

Bump!

This thread is too good to be buried and forgotten. :P
A great list of targets there Glen, thank you so much! :D
I will print them out and pop them into my observing folder. :thumbsup:

[glenc]

Thanks Suzy.
Here is the "map" https://picasaweb.google.com/110048826379679252146/BrightDSOForSouthernObservers#52810 11344794121746
M46 should be on the list to.

[deanm]

Many thanks, Glen!

I copied + pasted your 5 lists into MS Word, increased font size, added a 40 % transparent layer of red over the lot, emailed it to myself then uploaded on iPhone.

Now I have a easy-to-read, night eye-friendly list without needing torches, soggy sheets of paper and the like.

Cheers!

Dean