Monthly Calendar of Top Targets for visual observing and Astrophotography.
Here is a list of deep space objects that are perfect targets for beginners listed by best observation quarter. The “Peak observation” is when the object is high in the sky during the darkest time of night, around 2:00am.
This is only the optimal viewing/photography time, the objects can be seen and photographed for weeks before and after the “Peak observation” listing.
January
NGC 2359: Thor’s Helmet
Peak observation January 2 – 15
M44, NGC 2632: Beehive cluster
Peak observation January 22 – February 5
February
M8, NGC 3031 Bode’s galaxy
M82, NGC 3034 Cigar galaxy
Peak observation February 10 - 24
M96, NGC 3368: Spiral galaxy
Peak observation February 23 – March 8
March
M97, NGC 3587: Owl nebula
Peak observation March 1 - 14
M108, NGC 3556: Spiral galaxy
Peak observation March 1 - 14
The Leo Triplet
M65, NGC 3623: Spiral galaxy
M66, NGC 3627: Spiral galaxy
NGC 3628: Hamburger galaxy
Peak observation March 2 - 16
M106, NGC 4256: Spiral galaxy
Peak observation March 17 - 31
M84 Galaxy in Markarian’s Chain of galaxies
Peak observation March 18 – April 1
NGC 4565: Needle galaxy
Peak observation March 21 – April 8
NGC 4725: Spiral galaxy
Peak observation March 21 – April 8
M104, NGC 4594: Sombrero Galaxy
Peak observation March 22 – April 5
NGC 4631: Whale galaxy
Peak observation March 23 – April 6
M64, NGC 4826: Black eye galaxy
Peak observation March 26 – April 9
April
M63, NGC 5055: Sunflower galaxy
Peak observation April 1 - 14
M51, NGC 5194: Whirlpool galaxy
Peak observation April 3 - 17
M101, NGC 5457: Pinwheel Galaxy
Peak observation April 12 - 26
May
M13, NGC 6205: Globular Cluster
Peak observation May 21 – June 4
M92, NGC 6341: Globular Cluster
Peak observation May 30 – June 13
June
M20, NGC 6521: Trifid nebula
Peak observation June 11 - 25
M8, NGC 6523: Lagoon nebula
Peak observation June 11 - 25
M17, NGC 6618: Omega Nebula
Peak observation June 15 - 29
M16, NGC 6611: Eagle nebula
Peak observation June 15 – 29
M57, NGC 6720: Ring nebula
Peak observation June 23 – July 7
M11, NGC 6704: Wild Duck open cluster
Peak observation June 23 – July 7
July
M27, NGC 6853: Dumbbell nebula
Peak observation July 10 - 24
Veil Nebula Super nova remnant
NGC 6992: Western Veil
NGC 6960: Eastern Veil
NGC 6979: Pickering’s Triangle
Peak observation July 24 – August 7
NGC 7023: Iris Nebula
Peak observation July 25 – August 8
NGC 7000: North American nebula
Peak observation July 25 – August 8
August
M15, NGC 7078: Globular Cluster
Peak observation August 1 - 15
IC 1396: Elephant's Trunk Nebula
Peak observation August 4 - 14
IC 5146: Cocoon Nebula
Peak observation August 7 - 21
NGC 7293: Helix nebula / Eye of God / Eye of Sauron
Peak observation August 16 - 30
NGC 7318 in Stephen’s Quintet
Peak observation August 18 – September 1
NGC 7331: Quintet galaxies
Peak observation August 18 – September 1
NGC 7380: Wizard nebula open cluster
Peak observation August 21 – September 4
NGC 7635: Bubble Nebula
Peak observation August 29 – September 12
September
M31, NGC 224: Andromeda Galaxy
Peak observation September 21 – October 9
NGC 281: Pacman Nebula
Peak observation September 27 – October 11
October
M33, NGC 598: Triangulum Galaxy
Peak observation October 7 – 21
M74, NGC 628: Phantom Galaxy
Peak observation October 8 - 22
IC 1805: Heart Nebula
Peak observation October 22 – November 5
November
M45: Pleiades open star cluster
Peak observation November 1 - 14
NGC 1499: California Nebula
Peak observation November 13 - 27
December
IC 405: Flaming Star Nebula
Peak observation December 2 - 16
M1, NGC 1952: Crab Nebula a super nova remnant
Peak observation December 7 - 21
M42, NGC 1976: Orion Nebula
Peak observation December 7 - 21
IC 434: Horsehead Nebula
Peak observation December 8 - 22
NGC 2024: Flame nebula
Peak observation December 8 - 22
M78, NGC 2068:
Peak observation December 10 - 24
M37, NGC 2099: Open cluster
Peak observation December 11 - 25
M35, NGC 2168: Open star cluster
Peak observation December 15 - 29
IC 443: Jellyfish nebula Super nova remnant
Peak observation December 17 - 31
NGC 2237 : Rosette Nebula
Peak observation December 21 – January 4
NGC 2264: Cone nebula
Peak observation December 23 – January 6
