Deep Sky With Binoculars - Recommendations
This project includes a collection of visual observations of deep sky objects made exclusively with the naked eye or binoculars. It is remarkable how many objects are visible with such small instruments and shows that a telescope is not necessarily required. Of course everyone can contribute with own observations. A detailed description of the project and the submission format of your own observations can be found in the introduction.
Deep Sky Object Lists:
Objects | 110 |
Visual Observations | 687 |
Sketches | 21 |
Observers | 5 |
Uwe Brinker, Christopher Hay, René Merting, Uwe Pilz, Robert Zebahl |
Type | Magnitude | Size | Coordinates (J2000.0) | ||||
★ |
![]() DSS I - 60'×60' |
Allys Plait | Ast | 42.0'×10.0' | Tau | 03h47m30.00s / +23°41'30.00" | |
★★★ |
![]() DSS I - 60'×60' |
ASCC101, Theia 445 | OC | 40.0'×40.0' | Lyr | 19h13m37.00s / +36°19'48.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 30'×30' |
Backward 5 | Ast | 20.0'×10.0' | Her | 16h35m57.00s / +30°46'33.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 40'×40' |
Barnard 34, B34 | DN | 25.0'×25.0' | Aur | 05h43m17.70s / +32°37'06.00" | |
★★ |
![]() DSS I - 120'×120' |
Barnard 142, B142 | DN | 80.0'×50.0' | Aql | 19h39m42.00s / +10°31'00.00" | |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 100'×100' |
Barnard 168, B168, Dunkelzigarre, Caterpillar Nebula | DN | 100.0'×20.0' | Cyg | 21h48m48.00s / +47°30'00.00" | |
★★ |
![]() DSS I - 60'×60' |
Barnard 361, B361, LDN970 | DN | 20.0'×20.0' | Cyg | 21h12m30.00s / +47°24'00.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 120'×120' |
Cheshire Cat, Carol's Smiley | Ast | 80.0'×40.0' | Aur | 05h26m50.00s / +34°55'00.00" | |
★★★ |
![]() DSS I - 120'×120' |
Collinder 65, Cr65 | OC | 3m.0 | 220.0'×220.0' | Tau | 05h26m06.00s / +16°42'00.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 90'×90' |
Collinder 69, Cr69, Lambda Orionis Cluster | OC | 2m.8 | 65.0'×65.0' | Ori | 05h35m06.00s / +09°56'00.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 120'×120' |
Collinder 70, Cr70 | OC | 0m.4 | 150.0'×150.0' | Ori | 05h35m30.00s / -01°06'00.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 100'×100' |
Collinder 399, Cr399, Coathanger | Ast | 3m.6 | 100.0'×40.0' | Vul | 19h26m20.00s / +20°07'40.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS I - 120'×120' |
Fish Hook | Ast | 120.0'×60.0' | Sct | 18h45m00.00s / -06°50'00.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 90'×90' |
Flying Minnow | Ast | 60.0'×45.0' | Aur | 05h19m00.00s / +33°40'00.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 20'×20' |
French 1, The Toadstool | Ast | 13.0'×13.0' | Del | 21h07m25.00s / +16°19'00.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 30'×30' |
Greg's 3 | Ast | 16.0'×12.0' | Leo | 09h37m30.00s / +15°20'30.00" | |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 60'×60' |
Harrington 6 | Ast | 35.0'×35.0' | LMi | 10h13m45.00s / +31°16'00.00" | |
★★★ |
![]() DSS I - 120'×120' |
Harrington 12 | Ast | 70.0'×70.0' | Cas | 23h20m20.00s / +62°22'00.00" | |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 60'×60' |
Hay-Merting 4, HM4 | Ast | 45.0'×45.0' | Cas | 00h42m00.00s / +61°55'00.00" | |
★★★ |
![]() DSS I - 120'×120' |
Hay-Merting 7, HM7 | Ast | 110.0'×110.0' | Vul | 20h07m00.00s / +28°50'00.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 120'×120' |
Hay-Merting 8, HM8 | Ast | 160.0'×70.0' | Sgr | 18h35m00.00s / -19°00'00.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 50'×50' |
IC410, LBN807 | BN, EN | 50.0'×50.0' | Aur | 05h22m30.00s / +33°23'00.00" | |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 41'×41' |
IC4665 | OC | 4m.2 | 41.0'×41.0' | Oph | 17h46m18.00s / +05°43'00.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 39'×39' |
IC4756 | OC | 4m.6 | 39.0'×39.0' | Ser | 18h39m00.00s / +05°27'00.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 80'×80' |
JHZG, Jimi Hendrix' Broken Guitar | Ast | 60.0'×30.0' | Peg | 21h31m30.00s / +12°10'00.00" | |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 120'×120' |
Kemble 1, Kemble's Cascade | Ast | 5m.0 | 180.0'×180.0' | Cam | 03h57m30.00s / +63°04'00.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS I - 120'×120' |
Kemble 3, Kembles Kite | Ast | 90.0'×30.0' | Cas | 03h25m30.00s / +71°40'30.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 80'×80' |
LDN862 | DN | 55.0'×55.0' | Cyg | 20h05m20.00s / +36°45'00.00" | |
★★★ |
![]() DSS I - 120'×120' |
LDN935, Golf of Mexico | DN | 150.0'×40.0' | Cyg | 20h56m48.00s / +43°52'00.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 60'×60' |
LeDrew 7 | Ast | 40.0'×40.0' | Oph | 18h14m25.00s / +03°33'00.00" | |
★★ |
![]() DSS I - 60'×60' |
Leiter 9 | Ast | 34.0'×13.0' | Cyg | 20h55m50.00s / +43°35'05.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 35'×35' |
Leiter 11 | Ast | 23.0'×21.0' | Gem | 06h43m41.00s / +25°20'00.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 30'×30' |
Lorenzin 1, Lor1, Spermatozoon | Ast | 21.0'×2.0' | Tau | 05h42m38.00s / +21°23'32.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 30'×30' |
Lorenzin 4, Lor4 | Ast | 25.0'×2.0' | Sge | 19h54m47.00s / +17°19'24.00" | |
★★ |
![]() DSS I - 40'×40' |
Lorenzin 15, Lor15 | Ast | 28.0'×17.0' | Mon | 06h53m08.00s / -10°07'18.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 40'×40' |
Melotte 15, IC1805, Collinder 26, Cr26 | OC | 6m.5 | 21.0'×21.0' | Cas | 02h32m42.00s / +61°27'00.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 120'×120' |
Melotte 20, Collinder 39, Cr39, alpha Persei Group | OC | 1m.2 | 185.0'×185.0' | Per | 03h27m00.00s / +49°07'00.00" |
★★ | Melotte 25, Hyades | OC | 0m.5 | Tau | 04h27m00.00s / +16°50'00.00" | ||
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 8'×8' |
Messier 1, M1, NGC1952, Crab Nebula | BN, EN | 8m.4 | 8.0'×4.0' | Tau | 05h34m31.94s / +22°00'52.20" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 16'×16' |
Messier 2, M2, NGC7089 | GC | 6m.2 | 16.0'×16.0' | Aqr | 21h33m27.02s / -00°49'23.70" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 23'×23' |
Messier 5, M5, NGC5904 | GC | 6m.0 | 23.0'×23.0' | Ser | 15h18m33.22s / +02°04'51.70" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 80'×80' |
Messier 8, M8, NGC6523, Lagoon Nebula | BN, EN, RN | 6m.0 | 60.0'×40.0' | Sgr | 18h03m37.00s / -24°23'12.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS I - 20'×20' |
Messier 11, M11, NGC6705, Wild Duck Cluster | OC | 5m.8 | 14.0'×14.0' | Sct | 18h51m05.00s / -06°16'12.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 24'×24' |
Messier 13, M13, NGC6205 | GC | 5m.8 | 23.2'×23.2' | Her | 16h41m41.63s / +36°27'40.75" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 100'×100' |
Messier 16, M16, IC4703, Eagle Nebula | BN, EN | 6m.4 | Ser | 18h18m48.00s / -13°48'24.00" | |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 60'×60' |
Messier 17, M17, NGC6618, Omega Nebula, Swan Nebula | BN, EN | 6m.0 | Sgr | 18h20m47.00s / -16°10'18.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 15'×15' |
Messier 18, M18, NGC6613 | OC | 6m.9 | 9.0'×9.0' | Sgr | 18h19m58.00s / -17°06'06.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 28'×28' |
Messier 20, M20, NGC6514, H4.41, H5.10, H5.11, H5.12, Trifid Nebula | BN, EN, RN | 6m.3 | 28.0'×28.0' | Sgr | 18h02m42.00s / -22°58'18.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 32'×32' |
Messier 22, M22, NGC6656 | GC | 6m.2 | 32.0'×32.0' | Sgr | 18h36m23.94s / -23°54'17.10" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 40'×40' |
Messier 23, M23, NGC6494 | OC | 5m.5 | 27.0'×27.0' | Sgr | 17h57m04.00s / -18°59'06.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 120'×120' |
Messier 24, M24, IC4715, Small Sagittarius Star Cloud | OC | 3m.1 | 95.0'×35.0' | Sgr | 18h16m48.00s / -18°33'00.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 35'×35' |
Messier 25, M25, IC4725 | OC | 4m.6 | 29.0'×29.0' | Sgr | 18h31m47.00s / -19°07'00.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 15'×15' |
Messier 27, M27, NGC6853, PK60-3.1, Dumbbell Nebula | PN | 7m.5 | 8.0'×5.7' | Vul | 19h59m36.38s / +22°43'15.75" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 80'×80' |
Messier 31, M31, NGC224, UGC454, Andromeda Galaxy | Gx | 3m.4 | 186.2'×61.7' | And | 00h42m44.33s / +41°16'07.50" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 9'×9' |
Messier 32, M32, NGC221, UGC452, Arp168 | Gx | 8m.1 | 8.5'×6.5' | And | 00h42m41.83s / +40°51'54.61" |
★★ |
![]() DSS I - 69'×69' |
Messier 33, M33, NGC598, UGC1117, H5.17, Triangulum Galaxy, Pinwheel Galaxy | Gx | 5m.7 | 68.7'×41.6' | Tri | 01h33m50.90s / +30°39'35.79" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 35'×35' |
Messier 34, M34, NGC1039 | OC | 5m.2 | 35.0'×35.0' | Per | 02h42m05.00s / +42°45'42.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 60'×60' |
Messier 35, M35, NGC2168 | OC | 5m.1 | 28.0'×28.0' | Gem | 06h08m54.00s / +24°20'00.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 20'×20' |
Messier 36, M36, NGC1960 | OC | 6m.0 | 12.0'×12.0' | Aur | 05h36m18.00s / +34°08'24.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS I - 30'×30' |
Messier 37, M37, NGC2099 | OC | 5m.6 | 24.0'×24.0' | Aur | 05h52m18.00s / +32°33'12.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 30'×30' |
Messier 38, M38, NGC1912 | OC | 6m.4 | 21.0'×21.0' | Aur | 05h28m43.00s / +35°51'18.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 40'×40' |
Messier 41, M41, NGC2287 | OC | 4m.5 | 38.0'×38.0' | CMa | 06h46m01.00s / -20°45'24.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 90'×90' |
Messier 42, M42, NGC1976, Orion Nebula | BN, EN, RN | 4m.0 | 90.0'×60.0' | Ori | 05h35m17.30s / -05°23'28.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 95'×95' |
Messier 44, M44, NGC2632, Praesepe, Beehive Cluster | OC | 3m.1 | 95.0'×95.0' | Cnc | 08h40m24.00s / +19°40'00.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 120'×120' |
Messier 45, M45, Pleiades, Seven Sisters | OC | 1m.6 | 100.0'×100.0' | Tau | 03h47m00.00s / +24°07'00.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 35'×35' |
Messier 46, M46, NGC2437 | OC | 6m.1 | 27.0'×27.0' | Pup | 07h41m46.00s / -14°48'36.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 40'×40' |
Messier 47, M47, NGC2422, H8.38 | OC | 4m.4 | 30.0'×30.0' | Pup | 07h36m35.00s / -14°29'00.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 12'×12' |
Messier 51, M51, NGC5194, UGC8493, Whirlpool Galaxy | Gx, Sy2 | 8m.4 | 11.2'×6.9' | CVn | 13h29m52.70s / +47°11'42.93" |
★★ |
![]() DSS I - 30'×30' |
Messier 52, M52, NGC7654 | OC | 6m.9 | 13.0'×13.0' | Cas | 23h24m48.00s / +61°35'36.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 9'×9' |
Messier 56, M56, NGC6779 | GC | 8m.3 | 8.8'×8.8' | Lyr | 19h16m35.57s / +30°11'00.50" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 5'×5' |
Messier 57, M57, NGC6720, PK63+13.1, Ring Nebula | PN | 8m.8 | 1.4'×1.0' | Lyr | 18h53m35.08s / +33°01'45.03" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 10'×10' |
Messier 66, M66, NGC3627, UGC6346, Arp16 | Gx | 8m.9 | 9.3'×4.2' | Leo | 11h20m15.03s / +12°59'28.64" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 30'×30' |
Messier 67, M67, NGC2682 | OC | 6m.9 | 30.0'×30.0' | Cnc | 08h51m18.00s / +11°48'00.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 15'×15' |
Messier 78, M78, NGC2068 | BN, RN | 8m.3 | 8.0'×6.0' | Ori | 05h46m45.96s / +00°03'37.80" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 25'×25' |
Messier 81, M81, NGC3031, UGC5318, Bode's Galaxy | Gx | 6m.9 | 24.9'×11.5' | UMa | 09h55m33.17s / +69°03'55.06" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 12'×12' |
Messier 82, M82, NGC3034, UGC5322, Arp337, H4.79 | Gx | 8m.4 | 11.2'×4.3' | UMa | 09h55m52.43s / +69°40'46.93" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 14'×14' |
Messier 92, M92, NGC6341 | GC | 6m.5 | 14.0'×14.0' | Her | 17h17m07.39s / +43°08'09.40" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 15'×15' |
Messier 103, M103, NGC581 | OC | 7m.4 | 6.0'×6.0' | Cas | 01h33m23.00s / +60°39'00.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 9'×9' |
Messier 108, M108, NGC3556, UGC6225, H5.46 | Gx | 10m.0 | 8.7'×2.2' | UMa | 11h11m30.97s / +55°40'26.84" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 20'×20' |
Messier 110, M110, NGC205, UGC426, H5.18 | Gx | 8m.1 | 19.5'×11.5' | And | 00h40m22.07s / +41°41'07.08" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 20'×20' |
NGC225, H8.78, Sailboat Cluster | OC | 7m.0 | 12.0'×12.0' | Cas | 00h43m39.00s / +61°46'30.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 35'×35' |
NGC281, IC11, Pacman Nebula | BN, EN | b7m.3 | 35.0'×35.0' | Cas | 00h52m25.10s / +56°33'54.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 30'×30' |
NGC457, H7.42, Owl Cluster | OC | 6m.4 | 13.0'×13.0' | Cas | 01h19m35.00s / +58°17'12.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 25'×25' |
NGC663, H6.31 | OC | 7m.1 | 16.0'×16.0' | Cas | 01h46m09.00s / +61°14'06.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 80'×80' |
NGC752, H7.32 | OC | 5m.7 | 50.0'×50.0' | And | 01h57m41.00s / +37°47'06.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 30'×30' |
NGC869, H6.33 | OC | 3m.7 | 30.0'×30.0' | Per | 02h19m00.00s / +57°07'42.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 30'×30' |
NGC884, H6.34 | OC | 3m.8 | 30.0'×30.0' | Per | 02h22m23.00s / +57°07'30.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 15'×15' |
NGC1502, H7.47 | OC | 6m.9 | 8.0'×8.0' | Cam | 04h07m50.00s / +62°19'54.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 30'×30' |
NGC2024, H5.28, Flame Nebula | BN, EN | 30.0'×30.0' | Ori | 05h41m43.00s / -01°50'30.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 10'×10' |
NGC2169, H8.24 | OC | 5m.9 | 7.0'×7.0' | Ori | 06h08m24.00s / +13°58'00.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 50'×50' |
NGC2174, Monkey Head Nebula | BN, EN | 6m.9 | 40.0'×30.0' | Ori | 06h09m42.00s / +20°30'00.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 60'×60' |
NGC2264, H5.27, H8.5, Christmas Tree Cluster | OC | 3m.9 | 20.0'×20.0' | Mon | 06h40m58.00s / +09°53'42.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 5'×5' |
NGC2392, PK197+17.1, H4.45, Eskimo Nebula, Clownface Nebula | PN | 9m.9 | 0.9'×0.9' | Gem | 07h29m10.77s / +20°54'42.48" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 15'×15' |
NGC4565, UGC7772, H5.24 | Gx | 9m.5 | 14.9'×2.0' | Com | 12h36m20.80s / +25°59'14.61" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 16'×16' |
NGC4631, UGC7865, H5.42, Whale Galaxy, Herring Galaxy | Gx | 9m.2 | 15.5'×2.7' | CVn | 12h42m08.01s / +32°32'29.44" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 10'×10' |
NGC5195, UGC8494, H1.186 | Gx | 9m.6 | 5.9'×4.6' | CVn | 13h29m59.59s / +47°15'58.06" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 27'×27' |
NGC6633, H8.72 | OC | 4m.6 | 27.0'×27.0' | Oph | 18h27m18.00s / +06°31'00.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS I - 16'×16' |
NGC6716, Collinder 393, Cr393 | OC | 7m.5 | 10.0'×10.0' | Sgr | 18h54m34.00s / -19°54'06.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 15'×15' |
NGC6885, H8.20 | OC | 8m.1 | 7.0'×7.0' | Vul | 20h12m01.00s / +26°28'42.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 25'×25' |
NGC6888, LBN203, H4.72, Crescent Nebula | BN, EN | 10m.0 | 20.0'×10.0' | Cyg | 20h12m07.00s / +38°21'18.00" |
★★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 50'×50' |
NGC6940, H7.8 | OC | 6m.3 | 31.0'×31.0' | Vul | 20h34m26.00s / +28°17'00.00" |
★★★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 120'×120' |
NGC7000, LBN373, H5.37, North America Nebula | BN, EN | 4m.0 | 120.0'×30.0' | Cyg | 20h58m47.00s / +44°19'48.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 15'×15' |
NGC7062, H7.51 | OC | 8m.3 | 7.0'×7.0' | Cyg | 21h23m26.90s / +46°23'24.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (red) - 30'×30' |
NGC7293, PK36-57.1, Helix Nebula, Eye of God | PN | 7m.3 | 25.0'×25.0' | Aqr | 22h29m38.54s / -20°50'13.64" |
★★ |
![]() DSS I - 40'×40' |
NGC7789, H6.30, The White Rose, Caroline's Rose | OC | 6m.7 | 16.0'×16.0' | Cas | 23h57m24.00s / +56°42'30.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 100'×100' |
Patchick 100, Pat100 | Ast | 70.0'×30.0' | Peg | 23h02m10.00s / +22°54'00.00" | |
★ |
![]() DSS I - 100'×100' |
Persson 1 | Ast | 70.0'×15.0' | Ori | 06h10m20.00s / +13°48'30.00" | |
★★ |
![]() DSS I - 80'×80' |
Stock 2, St2, The Muscleman Cluster | OC | 4m.4 | 60.0'×60.0' | Cas | 02h14m43.00s / +59°29'06.00" |
★ |
![]() DSS II (blue) - 25'×25' |
Trumpler 2, Tr2, Collinder 29, Cr29 | OC | 5m.9 | 20.0'×20.0' | Per | 02h36m53.00s / +55°54'54.00" |
★ | Wieger's Dragon | Ast | 120.0'×20.0' | CVn | 12h51m50.00s / +42°30'00.00" |