Hi, what DSO's would you recommend for a novice with a 10 inch dob this time of year? Which ones are easy enough to spot from a fairly light polluted area? I would love to see some galaxies... which ones could I see from a moderately lightpolluted back yard? BTW andromeda is impossible since it's always right behind my neighbours house....any others that are as cool?

Cheers

Alfred,

Unfortunately, M31 is the biggest and brightest galaxy visible for most northern hemisphere observers. Here are my top ten DSO lists for February, March, April, May, and June.   Most of them are galaxies.  You'll have to look for the February objects early in the evening.

Top ten deep-sky objects for February: M35, M41, M46, M47, M50, M93, NGC 2169, NGC 2362, NGC 2392, NGC 2403

Top ten deep-sky objects for March: M44, M48, M67, M81, M82, NGC 2654, NGC 2683, NGC 2835, NGC 2841, NGC 2903

Top ten deep-sky objects for April: M65, M66, M95, M96, M97, M105, M108, M109, NGC 3115, NGC 3628

Top ten deep-sky objects for May: M3, M51, M63, M64, M83, M87, M104, M106, NGC 4449, NGC 4565

Dave,

What happened to M42?  Not only is it top 10, it's probably #1 in Feb and Mar.  From a dark site, it is incredible and full of detail, but even from an urban site, it is a "must see"!    Do you deem it too easy?

Hi Alfred,

I would recommend getting a copy of Astronomy's 100 Most Spectacular Sky Wonders right off this website.  Just click on the magazine tab and then go to special issues.  It is a very good introduction to a whole host of objects that would look splendid in a 10" scope.

For a bit more money Turn left at Orion is another good book that lists some great objects as well as show you how to get there.

And Alfred, get a look at M42 in Orion right away.  If you don't you will kick yourself for missing it this time around and having to wait a season to see it.

L

WABarry:

Dave,

What happened to M42?  Not only is it top 10, it's probably #1 in Feb and Mar.  From a dark site, it is incredible and full of detail, but even from an urban site, it is a "must see"!    Do you deem it too easy?

My monthly lists are divided into two hour swaths of right ascension based on the time that objects transit the meridian in the evening.  M42 is on the January list.

Alfred was interested in observing galaxies so my answer reflected that interest.  In addition, he had already mentioned viewing M42 in this thread.

Dave Mitsky

Oops, I stand corrected.  :)

 I have an 8 inch dob and a 'moderately light polluted backyard' and for me, it's not being able to see DSOs, but being able to find them. But that's just because my finderscope's all screwy. At this time of year, M81, M82, M65 and M66 form two nice pairs of galaxies that are relatively easy to locate. Still, double stars are, IMO, better targets for urban/suburban observing.

Double stars don't offer that much to me,I avoid them like the plague,same as I hardly ever  view clusters. Galaxies and Nebulas are where it's at.

Bert:

Double stars don't offer that much to me,I avoid them like the plague,same as I hardly ever  view clusters. Galaxies and Nebulas are where it's at.

Well, that is your opinion of course.  If I lived in an area with no light pollution and had a ten inch scope then I too would spend some time with our galactic friends.  Double stars are fun and pretty much LP proof for the suburban stargazer.  They even beat the grand galaxies in one respect, they come in a wide variety of colours. Other interesting stars to watch are those that change their magnitude over time. Variable stars can be tracked and recorded and if one does it carefully and well the AAVSO can put you and your scope to good use gathering real scientific data.

 Open and Globular Clusters are a delight in any scope and are also more conducive to examination under less than perfect skies.

One of my favorite targets to observe under any sky is the Planetary Nebulae as well.

So maybe for you Galaxies and Nebulae are "where it's at", but there are a myriad of objects out there just waiting to be explored by anyone with no equipment, binoculars, a small scope, or a great big Dob.  That is the beauty of our avocation, everyone is welcome and everyone can decide for themselves what they want to enjoy without fear of missing out on the hottest trend.

Right my fellow Lunatics?

L

Bert:

Double stars don't offer that much to me,I avoid them like the plague,same as I hardly ever  view clusters. Galaxies and Nebulas are where it's at.

I'm an avid DSO hunter and I relish finding all the dim galaxies and nebulae I can, but double stars have a special appeal, and I'm trying to develop my skill at observing them.  It is a uniqe knack, and a challenge.  As far as cluster go; it is in the viewing of star cluster where I think visual observers have an advantage over astrophotographers.  I've seen some dramatic photos of open and globular clusters, but none that has the impact, or the 3-dimensional quality of looking at M44, M45, the Hercules Cluster, or the Double Cluster with a wide field scope/eyepiece combination.

Kyle:

 I have an 8 inch dob and a 'moderately light polluted backyard' and for me, it's not being able to see DSOs, but being able to find them. But that's just because my finderscope's all screwy. At this time of year, M81, M82, M65 and M66 form two nice pairs of galaxies that are relatively easy to locate. Still, double stars are, IMO, better targets for urban/suburban observing.