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Deep-sky targets for astrophotography
A guide to every deep-sky target in the catalog: when each one is best placed, how big it is, what focal length and filter suit it, and how high it climbs from your latitude. Tap a target, then check tonight from your own location.
// What to shoot by month
// Filter by tonight or by your gear
150 targets
- Andromeda GalaxyM31spiral galaxy · Andromeda · 3.2°Best: Jul to DecBeginner
- Orion NebulaM42emission nebula · Orion · 1.4°Best: Sep to FebBeginner
- PleiadesM45open cluster · Taurus · 1.8°Best: Sep to JanIntermediate
- Hercules ClusterM13globular cluster · Hercules · 20′Best: Mar to AugBeginner
- Dumbbell NebulaM27planetary nebula · Vulpecula · 8′Best: May to OctBeginner
- Ring NebulaM57planetary nebula · Lyra · 1.4′Best: Apr to SepIntermediate
- Whirlpool GalaxyM51spiral galaxy · Canes Venatici · 11′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- Bode's GalaxyM81spiral galaxy · Ursa Major · 27′Best: Dec to MayIntermediate
- Cigar GalaxyM82irregular galaxy · Ursa Major · 11′Best: Dec to MayIntermediate
- Pinwheel GalaxyM101spiral galaxy · Ursa Major · 29′Best: Feb to JulAdvanced
- Lagoon NebulaM8emission nebula · Sagittarius · 1.5°Best: Apr to SepBeginner
- Eagle NebulaM16emission nebula · Serpens · 35′Best: Apr to SepIntermediate
- Omega NebulaM17emission nebula · Sagittarius · 46′Best: Apr to SepIntermediate
- Trifid NebulaM20emission nebula · Sagittarius · 28′Best: Apr to SepIntermediate
- Triangulum GalaxyM33spiral galaxy · Triangulum · 1.0°Best: Jul to DecAdvanced
- North America NebulaNGC 7000emission nebula · Cygnus · 2.0°Best: May to OctBeginner
- East Veil NebulaNGC 6992supernova remnant · Cygnus · 1.0°Best: May to OctIntermediate
- Rosette NebulaNGC 2237emission nebula · Monoceros · 1.3°Best: Oct to MarIntermediate
- Helix NebulaNGC 7293planetary nebula · Aquarius · 25′Best: Jun to NovIntermediate
- Horsehead NebulaIC 434emission nebula · Orion · 1.0°Best: Oct to FebAdvanced
- M2M2globular cluster · Aquarius · 16′Best: May to OctBeginner
- M3M3globular cluster · Canes Venatici · 18′Best: Jan to JunBeginner
- M4M4globular cluster · Scorpius · 36′Best: Mar to AugIntermediate
- M5M5globular cluster · Serpens · 23′Best: Feb to JulBeginner
- M9M9globular cluster · Ophiuchus · 12′Best: Mar to AugIntermediate
- M10M10globular cluster · Ophiuchus · 20′Best: Mar to AugBeginner
- M12M12globular cluster · Ophiuchus · 16′Best: Mar to AugBeginner
- M14M14globular cluster · Ophiuchus · 11′Best: Apr to AugIntermediate
- Great Pegasus ClusterM15globular cluster · Pegasus · 18′Best: May to OctBeginner
- M19M19globular cluster · Ophiuchus · 17′Best: Mar to AugIntermediate
- Great Sagittarius ClusterM22globular cluster · Sagittarius · 32′Best: Apr to SepIntermediate
- M28M28globular cluster · Sagittarius · 11′Best: Apr to SepIntermediate
- M30M30globular cluster · Capricornus · 11′Best: Jun to OctIntermediate
- M53M53globular cluster · Coma Berenices · 13′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M54M54globular cluster · Sagittarius · 12′Best: Apr to SepAdvanced
- Summer Rose StarM55globular cluster · Sagittarius · 19′Best: May to SepIntermediate
- M56M56globular cluster · Lyra · 7′Best: Apr to SepIntermediate
- M62M62globular cluster · Ophiuchus · 15′Best: Mar to AugAdvanced
- M68M68globular cluster · Hydra · 12′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M69M69globular cluster · Sagittarius · 10′Best: Apr to SepAdvanced
- M70M70globular cluster · Sagittarius · 8′Best: Apr to SepAdvanced
- M71M71globular cluster · Sagitta · 7′Best: May to OctIntermediate
- M72M72globular cluster · Aquarius · 6′Best: May to OctAdvanced
- M75M75globular cluster · Sagittarius · 6′Best: May to OctAdvanced
- M79M79globular cluster · Lepus · 9′Best: Sep to FebIntermediate
- M80M80globular cluster · Scorpius · 10′Best: Mar to AugIntermediate
- M92M92globular cluster · Hercules · 14′Best: Mar to AugBeginner
- M107M107globular cluster · Ophiuchus · 10′Best: Mar to AugIntermediate
- Omega CentauriNGC 5139globular cluster · Centaurus · 36′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- Great Peacock ClusterNGC 6752globular cluster · Pavo · 20′Best: Apr to SepIntermediate
- Butterfly ClusterM6open cluster · Scorpius · 25′Best: Apr to AugIntermediate
- Ptolemy ClusterM7open cluster · Scorpius · 1.3°Best: Apr to SepBeginner
- Wild Duck ClusterM11open cluster · Scutum · 14′Best: Apr to SepBeginner
- M18M18open cluster · Sagittarius · 9′Best: Apr to SepIntermediate
- M21M21open cluster · Sagittarius · 13′Best: Apr to SepBeginner
- M23M23open cluster · Sagittarius · 27′Best: Apr to SepBeginner
- Sagittarius Star CloudM24star cloud · Sagittarius · 1.5°Best: Apr to SepBeginner
- M25M25open cluster · Sagittarius · 32′Best: Apr to SepBeginner
- M26M26open cluster · Scutum · 15′Best: Apr to SepIntermediate
- Cooling Tower ClusterM29open cluster · Cygnus · 7′Best: May to OctIntermediate
- M34M34open cluster · Perseus · 35′Best: Aug to JanBeginner
- M35M35open cluster · Gemini · 28′Best: Oct to MarBeginner
- Pinwheel ClusterM36open cluster · Auriga · 12′Best: Sep to FebBeginner
- Salt-and-Pepper ClusterM37open cluster · Auriga · 24′Best: Oct to MarBeginner
- Starfish ClusterM38open cluster · Auriga · 21′Best: Sep to FebBeginner
- M39M39open cluster · Cygnus · 32′Best: May to OctBeginner
- Little Beehive ClusterM41open cluster · Canis Major · 38′Best: Oct to MarBeginner
- Beehive ClusterM44open cluster · Cancer · 1.6°Best: Nov to AprBeginner
- M46M46open cluster · Puppis · 27′Best: Nov to MarIntermediate
- M47M47open cluster · Puppis · 30′Best: Oct to MarBeginner
- M48M48open cluster · Hydra · 54′Best: Nov to AprBeginner
- Heart-Shaped ClusterM50open cluster · Monoceros · 16′Best: Oct to MarIntermediate
- M52M52open cluster · Cassiopeia · 13′Best: Jun to NovIntermediate
- King Cobra ClusterM67open cluster · Cancer · 30′Best: Nov to AprBeginner
- M93M93open cluster · Puppis · 22′Best: Nov to MarIntermediate
- M103M103open cluster · Cassiopeia · 6′Best: Jul to DecIntermediate
- Double ClusterNGC 869open cluster · Perseus · 1.0°Best: Aug to JanBeginner
- M32M32elliptical galaxy · Andromeda · 8′Best: Jul to DecIntermediate
- M110M110elliptical galaxy · Andromeda · 19′Best: Jul to DecIntermediate
- M49M49elliptical galaxy · Virgo · 9′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M58M58spiral galaxy · Virgo · 6′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M59M59elliptical galaxy · Virgo · 5′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M60M60elliptical galaxy · Virgo · 7′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M61M61spiral galaxy · Virgo · 6′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- Sunflower GalaxyM63spiral galaxy · Canes Venatici · 13′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- Black Eye GalaxyM64spiral galaxy · Coma Berenices · 10′Best: Jan to JunBeginner
- Leo TripletM65spiral galaxy · Leo · 10′Best: Dec to MayIntermediate
- Leo TripletM66spiral galaxy · Leo · 9′Best: Dec to MayIntermediate
- Phantom GalaxyM74spiral galaxy · Pisces · 10′Best: Jul to DecAdvanced
- M77M77spiral galaxy · Cetus · 7′Best: Aug to JanIntermediate
- Southern Pinwheel GalaxyM83spiral galaxy · Hydra · 13′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M84M84lenticular galaxy · Virgo · 5′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M85M85lenticular galaxy · Coma Berenices · 8′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M86M86elliptical galaxy · Virgo · 9′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- Virgo AM87elliptical galaxy · Virgo · 7′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M88M88spiral galaxy · Coma Berenices · 7′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M89M89elliptical galaxy · Virgo · 4′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M90M90spiral galaxy · Virgo · 10′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M91M91spiral galaxy · Coma Berenices · 5′Best: Jan to JunAdvanced
- Croc's Eye GalaxyM94spiral galaxy · Canes Venatici · 11′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M95M95spiral galaxy · Leo · 7′Best: Dec to MayIntermediate
- M96M96spiral galaxy · Leo · 7′Best: Dec to MayIntermediate
- M98M98spiral galaxy · Coma Berenices · 10′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- Coma Pinwheel GalaxyM99spiral galaxy · Coma Berenices · 5′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M100M100spiral galaxy · Coma Berenices · 7′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- Spindle GalaxyM102lenticular galaxy · Draco · 5′Best: Feb to JulIntermediate
- Sombrero GalaxyM104spiral galaxy · Virgo · 9′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- M105M105elliptical galaxy · Leo · 5′Best: Dec to MayIntermediate
- M106M106spiral galaxy · Canes Venatici · 19′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- Surfboard GalaxyM108spiral galaxy · Ursa Major · 8′Best: Dec to MayIntermediate
- M109M109spiral galaxy · Ursa Major · 7′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- Silver Sliver GalaxyNGC 891spiral galaxy · Andromeda · 14′Best: Aug to JanIntermediate
- Sculptor GalaxyNGC 253spiral galaxy · Sculptor · 27′Best: Jul to DecIntermediate
- Centaurus ANGC 5128elliptical galaxy · Centaurus · 26′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- Fireworks GalaxyNGC 6946spiral galaxy · Cepheus · 11′Best: May to OctAdvanced
- NGC 2903NGC 2903spiral galaxy · Leo · 12′Best: Nov to AprIntermediate
- Needle GalaxyNGC 4565spiral galaxy · Coma Berenices · 16′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- Hamburger GalaxyNGC 3628spiral galaxy · Leo · 15′Best: Dec to MayIntermediate
- Pavo GalaxyNGC 6744spiral galaxy · Pavo · 20′Best: Apr to SepAdvanced
- Antennae GalaxiesNGC 4038irregular galaxy · Corvus · 5′Best: Jan to JunAdvanced
- Whale GalaxyNGC 4631irregular galaxy · Canes Venatici · 15′Best: Jan to JunIntermediate
- String of Pearls GalaxyNGC 55irregular galaxy · Sculptor · 32′Best: Jul to DecAdvanced
- Sculptor Pinwheel GalaxyNGC 300spiral galaxy · Sculptor · 20′Best: Jul to DecAdvanced
- Crab NebulaM1supernova remnant · Taurus · 6′Best: Sep to FebIntermediate
- De Mairan's NebulaM43emission nebula · Orion · 20′Best: Sep to FebBeginner
- Little Dumbbell NebulaM76planetary nebula · Perseus · 2.7′Best: Aug to DecAdvanced
- M78M78reflection nebula · Orion · 8′Best: Oct to MarIntermediate
- Owl NebulaM97planetary nebula · Ursa Major · 3.4′Best: Dec to MayAdvanced
- Pelican NebulaIC 5070emission nebula · Cygnus · 1.0°Best: May to OctIntermediate
- Witch's Broom (West Veil)NGC 6960supernova remnant · Cygnus · 1.2°Best: May to OctIntermediate
- Flame NebulaNGC 2024emission nebula · Orion · 30′Best: Oct to FebIntermediate
- Bubble NebulaNGC 7635emission nebula · Cassiopeia · 15′Best: Jun to NovIntermediate
- Crescent NebulaNGC 6888emission nebula · Cygnus · 20′Best: May to OctIntermediate
- Iris NebulaNGC 7023reflection nebula · Cepheus · 18′Best: May to OctIntermediate
- California NebulaNGC 1499emission nebula · Perseus · 2.7°Best: Sep to FebIntermediate
- Elephant's TrunkIC 1396emission nebula · Cepheus · 2.8°Best: Jun to OctIntermediate
- Heart NebulaIC 1805emission nebula · Cassiopeia · 2.5°Best: Aug to JanIntermediate
- Soul NebulaIC 1848emission nebula · Cassiopeia · 2.5°Best: Aug to JanIntermediate
- Pacman NebulaNGC 281emission nebula · Cassiopeia · 35′Best: Jul to DecIntermediate
- Cocoon NebulaIC 5146emission nebula · Cygnus · 12′Best: Jun to NovIntermediate
- Wizard NebulaNGC 7380emission nebula · Cepheus · 25′Best: Jun to NovAdvanced
- Carina NebulaNGC 3372emission nebula · Carina · 2.0°Best: Dec to MayIntermediate
- Cat's Eye NebulaNGC 6543planetary nebula · Draco · 0.3′Best: Apr to SepAdvanced
- Cone Nebula / Christmas Tree ClusterNGC 2264open cluster · Monoceros · 20′Best: Oct to MarIntermediate
- Thor's HelmetNGC 2359emission nebula · Canis Major · 8′Best: Oct to MarIntermediate
- NGC 6820NGC 6820emission nebula · Vulpecula · 12′Best: May to SepAdvanced
- Embryo NebulaNGC 1333reflection nebula · Perseus · 9′Best: Aug to JanAdvanced
- Question Mark NebulaNGC 7822emission nebula · Cepheus · 1.0°Best: Jul to DecAdvanced
- Cat's Paw NebulaNGC 6334emission nebula · Scorpius · 35′Best: Mar to AugAdvanced
- War and Peace NebulaNGC 6357emission nebula · Scorpius · 30′Best: Mar to AugAdvanced
Open the Dark Window planner for tonight’s GO / NO-GO verdict.