Dark Window

Go / no go for deep sky

What to photograph in October

16 deep-sky targets are at their best in October, meaning they cross the middle of the sky around midnight, plus 29 more that are still well placed in the evening or before dawn. Good first picks: Andromeda Galaxy, Double Cluster, M34.

Lists are written for around 35°N, like the southern United States, southern Europe or Japan. The months work for both hemispheres, but southern observers will find northern targets low and southern ones high: each target page shows how high it climbs from your latitude. The best nights are around the new Moon, so check the dark sky calendar.

At their best in October

Also well placed

Past or approaching their peak, so higher in the evening or before dawn.

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