Beginners DSO - What should I try to find?!

[Juliette.x]

Hi

I'm still fairly new to astronomy, having got my first telescope around this time last year, but I've been bogged down with studies most of the time and put off by cloudy skies an awful lot, too - so most of the time I've been sticking to grabbing my binoculars and spending a few minutes outside whenever I can.

But tonight looks sort of clear and I've finally mustered up enough energy to lug my telescope outside again! And while I wait for Jupiter to come up, I'd like to try and find a DSO. So my question is - what would you recommend looking for?

I've never found (or even seen) a DSO before. I can see mostly to the South/East. What do you think would be relatively easy for me to look for?

Thank you!

[nmoushon]

What telescope do you have and what region do you live in? Those make a big difference and will help decide on what you can even see.

[Spec-Chum]

M31 for sure, it'll be dead ahead if you're facing south-east.

[Double Kick Drum]

If you can find it, I would start with the Andromeda galaxy M31. It is big and reasonably bright and is tolerant of a little light pollution.

M45 the Pleiades are also a nice sight in Taurus and should be visible with the naked eye, so quite easy to find.

Clear skies!

[Digz]

If your in the northern hemisphere then definitely M31, then later on swing to Orion - lots going on there but you might have to be out late to catch it rise.

[Lorne]

M57 in Lyra is always nice to see, a little smoky ring in the sky

[ronin]

M45 = The Pleiades is a good start. Biggish bright open cluster.

Then below The Pleaides you will see The Hyades with a bright Orange star (Aldebaran)

Somewhere around the Hyades/Aldebaran will be a big bright lump that is Jupiter.

After a bit more time Orion will rise enough, have a look at M42 the Orion nebula, to cheat a bit M42 is so close to M43 that you will actually see both. So 2 for 1. They come up fairly late.

If you can find M31, Andromeda, give that a shot but I expect all you will get is the central core and it will be the traditional faint fuzzy.

The double cluster in Perseus should be easy.

Could try M33, Triangulum Galaxy, depends on the scope and light pollution.

By the time you will have found those you will more then likely be freezing.

[Tiki]

The Double Cluster in Perseus.

[VigdisVZ]

The Double Cluster in Perseus.

+ 1 for this one.

And add Messier 13 while your'e at it.

[Astro Imp]

Definitely the double cluster and some of the open clusters in Cassiopeia. You will probably find the moon hinders galaxy hunting.

Have a good night and let us know how you get on and don't forget to wrap up warm.

Good luck.

[swamp thing]

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M45 = The Pleiades is a good start. Biggish bright open cluster.

Then below The Pleaides you will see The Hyades with a bright Orange star (Aldebaran)

Somewhere around the Hyades/Aldebaran will be a big bright lump that is Jupiter.

After a bit more time Orion will rise enough, have a look at M42 the Orion nebula, to cheat a bit M42 is so close to M43 that you will actually see both. So 2 for 1. They come up fairly late.

If you can find M31, Andromeda, give that a shot but I expect all you will get is the central core and it will be the traditional faint fuzzy.

The double cluster in Perseus should be easy.

Could try M33, Triangulum Galaxy, depends on the scope and light pollution.

By the time you will have found those you will more then likely be freezing.

Some good objects here although TBH I would scratch off M33, this is a tough object unless you have a dark sky.

[Spec-Chum]

Agreed, m33 is a pain to find. Nice once you do tho. I got a real sense of acomplishment lol

[sunshine185]

Cannot see M33 in a 10" dob where I live

[DaveS]

+1 for the double cluster. shows up well, even through London's LP.

But the OP hasn't said what 'scope she has. Could make a big differance.

[Spec-Chum]

Doesn't London have sky polluting the lights instead?

[Ganymede12]

The ring nebula is one of my favourites! It's near the star Vega.

[DaveS]

Doesn't London have sky polluting the lights instead?

Don't rub it in

[bendiddley]

+1 for andromeda. looked at it last night, lovely sight and easy to find. good luck

[paulf]

M31, I'm looking at it right now!

[paulf]

Correction, I was looking at it, now I'm having a bite to eat, telescope is still tracking M31 though

[nicks90]

cassiopeia has loads going on nd kept me amused for about 2 hours the other night when it was clear at clumber park.

i m a total noob, but i was well impressed - after i got jupiter and the moon out of my system. i must have spent at least an hour ticking off moon features from my list. i got 40 odd, so only another hundred or so left to identify!