Chat GP can be very useful…

[Stuart1971]

Just asked ChatGP this question..saved so much time looking it all up, just gave me a decent list to start with for the summer…so simple…

“Can you show me a list of nebula and galaxy targets visible from the 52nd parallel, and visible after dark, and all above 45 degrees from the horizon, and visible between May and September from the northern hemisphere, and show there approx direction in the night sky”

And the answer was:

Certainly! Here’s a list of nebula and galaxy targets visible from the 52nd parallel north, observable after dark, above 45 degrees from the horizon, and visible between May and September. I've included their approximate directions in the night sky.

### Nebulae

1. **Dumbbell Nebula (M27)**
   - **Constellation:** Vulpecula
   - **Best Viewing Time:** Mid-summer to early autumn
   - **Direction:** High in the southeastern sky in the evening, moving to the south by midnight

2. **North America Nebula (NGC 7000)**
   - **Constellation:** Cygnus
   - **Best Viewing Time:** Mid-summer to early autumn
   - **Direction:** High in the eastern sky in the evening, moving towards the zenith by midnight

3. **Veil Nebula (NGC 6960, NGC 6992, NGC 6995)**
   - **Constellation:** Cygnus
   - **Best Viewing Time:** Mid-summer to early autumn
   - **Direction:** High in the eastern sky in the evening, moving towards the zenith by midnight

4. **Pelican Nebula (IC 5070)**
   - **Constellation:** Cygnus
   - **Best Viewing Time:** Mid-summer to early autumn
   - **Direction:** High in the eastern sky in the evening, moving towards the zenith by midnight

### Galaxies

1. **Andromeda Galaxy (M31)**
   - **Constellation:** Andromeda
   - **Best Viewing Time:** Late summer to autumn (rises late in summer)
   - **Direction:** Northeast in the late evening, moving higher in the northeastern sky by midnight

2. **Pinwheel Galaxy (M101)**
   - **Constellation:** Ursa Major
   - **Best Viewing Time:** Spring to early summer
   - **Direction:** High in the northwestern sky after dark, setting in the northwest by midnight

3. **Bode's Galaxy (M81)**
   - **Constellation:** Ursa Major
   - **Best Viewing Time:** Spring to early summer
   - **Direction:** High in the northwestern sky after dark, setting in the northwest by midnight

4. **Cigar Galaxy (M82)**
   - **Constellation:** Ursa Major
   - **Best Viewing Time:** Spring to early summer
   - **Direction:** High in the northwestern sky after dark, setting in the northwest by midnight

5. **Whirlpool Galaxy (M51)**
   - **Constellation:** Canes Venatici
   - **Best Viewing Time:** Spring to early summer
   - **Direction:** High in the west-northwestern sky after dark, setting in the northwest by midnight

6. **Sombrero Galaxy (M104)**
   - **Constellation:** Virgo
   - **Best Viewing Time:** Late spring to early summer
   - **Direction:** Low in the western sky after dark, setting in the west by midnight

### Approximate Directions Summary
- **Northwest:** M101, M81, M82, M51
- **West:** M104
- **East/Northeast:** NGC 7000, NGC 6960, IC 5070, M31
- **Southeast:** M27

Using a star chart or an astronomy app will help you locate these objects more precisely and understand their movement across the night sky throughout the evening.

 

[AstroMuni]

Thats cool. Wonder how ChatGPT interpreted the phrase "visible after dark" 🙂 

Edited May 23 by AstroMuni

[Stuart1971]

1 hour ago, AstroMuni said:

Thats cool. Wonder how ChatGPT interpreted the phrase "visible after dark" 🙂 

Well it know it’s northern hemisphere, so not sure really….🤔 I assume it would know sunset and sunrise times for the time of year…

[bottletopburly]

Which version of chat gpt are you using Stuart I couldn’t get it to work with your question 

[Stuart1971]

1 minute ago, bottletopburly said:

Which version of chat gpt are you using Stuart I couldn’t get it to work with your question 

Just the free plan on the Apple iPad App…🤔

[Stuart1971]

This one

 

[bottletopburly]

Same version , update got it to work
edited the phrase for large dark nebula 
👍
 

Certainly! Here is a list of large dark nebulae that meet your criteria for viewing from the 52nd parallel between May and September. These objects are visible after dark, above 45 degrees from the horizon, and their approximate directions in the night sky are included.

Large Dark Nebulae

    1.    Barnard 142 and 143 (The E Nebula)
    •    Constellation: Aquila
    •    Approximate Direction: South to Southwest
    •    Best Time to View: July to September
    •    Description: These are two prominent dark nebulae that form an ‘E’ shape against the Milky Way’s starry background.
    2.    Barnard 86 (The Ink Spot)
    •    Constellation: Sagittarius
    •    Approximate Direction: South to Southwest
    •    Best Time to View: June to August
    •    Description: A small, dense dark nebula located near the open star cluster NGC 6520.
    3.    Barnard 168
    •    Constellation: Cygnus
    •    Approximate Direction: East to Southeast
    •    Best Time to View: July to September
    •    Description: A long, snake-like dark nebula located near the North America Nebula and Pelican Nebula in Cygnus.
    4.    The Great Rift
    •    Constellation: Cygnus to Sagittarius
    •    Approximate Direction: East to South
    •    Best Time to View: May to September
    •    Description: A series of dark dust clouds that divide the bright band of the Milky Way lengthwise, stretching from the constellation Cygnus down through Aquila and into Sagittarius.

Viewing Tips

    •    Aquila: Look towards the southern part of the sky in the evening.
    •    Cygnus: Look towards the eastern part of the sky in the evening, moving towards the southeast as the night progresses.
    •    Sagittarius: Visible in the southern sky, best viewed in early to mid-summer months.

These dark nebulae can be challenging to observe due to their nature; they block the light of stars behind them, appearing as dark patches against the brighter background of the Milky Way. A dark sky location away from city lights is ideal for viewing these objects. Using a star chart or an astronomy app will help you locate these dark nebulae more precisely.

Edited May 25 by bottletopburly

[Stuart1971]

Certainly quicker than looking them all up the old fashioned way…👍🏻

[bottletopburly]

11 minutes ago, Stuart1971 said:

Certainly quicker than looking them all up the old fashioned way…👍🏻

Certainly is 👍