Astronomy

Observe the Top 100 Deepsky Objects in the southern skies

Posted on 2006 October 28 @ 21:32 - filed under Astronomy.

The Deepsky Observing Section of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa is pleased to present the "Top 100 Deepsky Objects", an observing programme for the novice and seasoned observer alike.

Hand-picked and collected together in a single list for the first time are the 100 best galaxies, star clusters and nebulae visible in the southern skies.

Many can be seen with the naked eye and all are visible in binoculars, so a telescope is not essential to see them.

For each 20 objects you observe, the Society will issue a Merit Award Certificate in recognition of your work, and your observations will be added to the DOC Deepsky Database.

How do I submit observations?

The Top 100 list appears at the bottom of this page, and can also be downloaded as an MS-Word file or EXCEL spread sheet.

The list gives the position (RA and Dec) of each object, so you can use your favourite star atlas or charting software to help in finding it in the night sky. You're welcome to use GOTO-type computerized mounts to find them, but I'd strongly encourage beginners not to do so, simply because you then learn new skills, such as star hopping. However, it's ultimately up to you.

If you don't have any star charts, a modified version of the free Discover! workbook, which plots the objects on the Top 100 list, will be available soon. As the charts are completed, they will be added to the list at the bottom of the page. Contact me by e-mail of you're looking for a specific chart which isn't listed yet.

For each 20 objects you observe, describe & sketch, you're eligible to receive an observing certificate issued by the ASSA Deepsky Observing Section, given that the observations meet basic quality standards. They can be mailed to: [Auke Slotegraaf, Director: ASSA Deepsky Observing Section, Forelle Crescent 8, Die Boord, Stellenbosch, 7600], or via e-mail to [aukepsychohistorian.org]

Sketches submitted by regular mail will not be returned unless you include a self-addressed & stamped envelope. When submitting sketches by e-mail, make sure they are scanned/photographed at good quality.

Don't hesistate to contact me for further details. I look forward to receiving your deepsky observations!

How do I record an observation?

For each object you examine, record the date and time of the observation, from where you observed, with what instrument, the sky conditions, and the quality of the observation. When describing the object, keep the following in mind:

1. first impressions

2. visibility (e.g. obvious/easy/reasonably easy/difficult/challenge)

3. size (in arcminutes; either estimated or compared to stars in the field)

4. shape (irregular/round/elongated). If elongated, specify the direction of elongation (eg north-west) and the degree of elongation (ratio of width to height)

5. prominent stars in the vicinity (specify direction, distance and brightness).

Depending on the type of object (e.g. galaxy, star cluster, etc.) there are specific things you may want to keep in mind. As a guideline, take a look at this observing checklist.

You may also want to download a copy of the Deepsky Observer's Companion (PDF, 627K), which is a thorough introduction to deepsky observing techniques.

Brief summary of the list

The table on the right shows a breakdown of the list by object type. Of these objects, 86 appear in the NGC (New General Catalogue), six are from the IC (Index Catalogue) and the remaining eight are from various other catalogues.

The objects are spread about the sky, but all are south of the celestial equator. The most southerly object has a declination of –79.3°.

Several objects are circumpolar from southern Africa, and in any given month, more than 45 of the 100 objects can be seen during the course of an evening.

Top 100 Deepsky Objects, sorted by RA

ASSA	Identification	Type	RA	Dec	Con	D!	Visibility
001	NGC 55	Galaxy	00:15	–39°11	Scl	06/25	Sep–Feb
002	NGC 104, 47 Tucanae	Globular cluster	00:24	–72°05	Tuc	05/06	Sep–Feb
003	NGC 247	Galaxy	00:47	–20°46	Cet	06/25	Sep–Feb
004	NGC 246	Planetary nebula	00:47	–11°53	Cet	25	Oct–Feb
005	NGC 253, Silver Coin	Galaxy	00:48	–25°17	Scl	06/25	Sep–Feb
006	NGC 288	Globular cluster	00:53	–26°35	Scl	06/25	Sep–Feb
007	Small Magellanic Cloud	Galaxy	00:53	–72°50	Tuc	05/06	Sep–Feb
008	NGC 362	Globular cluster	01:03	–70°51	Tuc	05/06	Sep–Feb
009	NGC 1068, Messier 77	Galaxy	02:43	–00°01	Cet	25	Oct–Feb
010	NGC 1261	Globular cluster	03:12	–55°13	Hor	05	Oct–Apr
011	NGC 1291	Galaxy	03:17	–41°08	Eri	12	Nov–Mar
012	NGC 1316, Fornax A	Galaxy	03:23	–37°12	For	05/25	Oct–Mar
013	NGC 1365	Galaxy	03:34	–36°08	For	05/25	Oct–Mar
014	NGC 1535	Planetary nebula	04:14	–12°44	Eri	12	Nov–Mar
015	NGC 1851	Globular cluster	05:14	–40°03	Col	07/09	Nov–May
016	Large Magellanic Cloud	Galaxy	05:24	–69°45	Dor	05	Oct–Apr
017	NGC 1904, Messier 79	Globular cluster	05:25	–24°33	Lep	07/09	Nov–May
018	NGC 1976, Great Orion Nebula	Bright nebula	05:35	–05°27	Ori	07/08	Nov–May
019	NGC 1977	Bright nebula	05:36	–04°52	Ori	07/08	Nov–May
020	NGC 2070, Tarantula Nebula	Bright nebula	05:39	–69°06	Dor	05	Oct–Apr
021	NGC 2287, Messier 41	Open cluster	06:46	–20°46	CMa	07/09	Nov–May
022	NGC 2362, Tau CMa cluster	Open cluster	07:19	–24°57	CMa	07/09	Nov–May
023	NGC 2422, Messier 47	Open cluster	07:37	–14°30	Pup	09/13/14	Dec–Apr
024	NGC 2437, Messier 46	Open cluster	07:42	–14°49	Pup	09/13/14	Dec–Apr
025	NGC 2451	Open cluster	07:45	–37°58	Pup	04	Nov–May
026	NGC 2447, Messier 93	Open cluster	07:45	–23°52	Pup	04	Nov–May
027	NGC 2477	Open cluster	07:52	–38°33	Pup	04	Nov–May
028	NGC 2516	Open cluster	07:58	–60°52	Car	04	Nov–May
029	NGC 2547	Open cluster	08:11	–49°16	Vel	04	Nov–May
030	NGC 2548, Messier 48	Open cluster	08:14	–05°48	Hya	13/16	Jan–May
031	IC 2391, Omicron Velorum Cluster	Open cluster	08:40	–53°04	Vel	04	Nov–May
032	NGC 2808	Globular cluster	09:12	–64°52	Car	04	Nov–May
033	NGC 2818	Open cluster	09:16	–36°37	Pyx	04	Nov–May
034	IC 2488	Open cluster	09:28	–56°59	Vel	04	Nov–May
035	NGC 3114	Open cluster	10:03	–60°07	Car	04	Nov–May
036	NGC 3115, Spindle Galaxy	Galaxy	10:05	–07°43	Sex	16	Feb–May
037	NGC 3132, Eight-Burst Nebula	Planetary nebula	10:08	–40°26	Vel	04	Nov–May
038	NGC 3201	Globular cluster	10:18	–46°25	Vel	04	Nov–May
039	NGC 3242, Ghost of Jupiter	Planetary nebula	10:25	–18°38	Hya	16/17	Feb–Jul
040	IC 2581	Open cluster	10:27	–57°38	Car	04	Nov–May
041	NGC 3293	Open cluster	10:36	–58°14	Car	04	Nov–May
042	NGC 3324	Open cluster	10:37	–58°38	Car	04	Nov–May
043	IC 2602, Theta Carinae Cluster	Open cluster	10:43	–64°24	Car	04	Nov–May
044	NGC 3372, Eta Carinae Nebula	Bright nebula	10:44	–59°52	Car	04	Nov–May
045	NGC 3532	Open cluster	11:06	–58°40	Car	04	Nov–May
046	NGC 3766	Open cluster	11:36	–61°37	Cen	02	Feb–Sep
047	NGC 3918, Blue Planetary	Planetary nebula	11:50	–57°11	Cen	02	Feb–Sep
048	NGC 4361	Planetary nebula	12:25	–18°48	Crv	17/18	Mar–Jul
049	Dark Doodad	Dark nebula	12:27	–71°25	Mus	02	Feb–Sep
050	NGC 4594, Sombrero Galaxy	Galaxy	12:40	–11°37	Vir	18	Apl–Jul
051	Coalsack	Dark nebula	12:53	–63°00	Cru	02	Feb–Sep
052	NGC 4755, Herschel's Jewel Box	Open cluster	12:54	–60°20	Cru	02	Feb–Sep
053	NGC 4833	Globular cluster	13:00	–70°53	Mus	02	Feb–Sep
054	NGC 4945	Galaxy	13:05	–49°28	Cen	02	Feb–Sep
055	NGC 5128, Centaurus A	Galaxy	13:26	–43°01	Cen	02	Feb–Sep
056	NGC 5139, Omega Centauri	Globular cluster	13:27	–47°29	Cen	02	Feb–Sep
057	NGC 5189	Planetary nebula	13:34	–65°59	Mus	02	Feb–Sep
058	NGC 5236, Messier 83	Galaxy	13:37	–29°52	Hya	17	Feb–Jul
059	NGC 5281	Open cluster	13:47	–62°54	Cen	02	Feb–Sep
060	NGC 5460	Open cluster	14:08	–48°19	Cen	02	Feb–Sep
061	NGC 5662	Open cluster	14:35	–56°33	Cen	02	Feb–Sep
062	NGC 5822	Open cluster	15:05	–54°21	Lup	03	Mar–Sep
063	NGC 5823	Open cluster	15:06	–55°36	Cir	02/03	Feb–Sep
064	Barnard 228	Dark nebula	15:45	–34°24	Lup	03/21	Apr–Oct
065	NGC 6025	Open cluster	16:04	–60°30	TrA	02	Feb–Sep
066	NGC 6067	Open cluster	16:13	–54°13	Nor	03	Mar–Sep
067	NGC 6087, S Normae Cluster	Open cluster	16:19	–57°54	Nor	03	Mar–Sep
068	NGC 6121, Messier 4	Globular cluster	16:24	–26°32	Sco	21	May–Oct
069	NGC 6124	Open cluster	16:26	–40°40	Sco	21	May–Oct
070	NGC 6193	Open cluster	16:41	–48°46	Ara	03	Mar–Sep
071	NGC 6218, Messier 12	Globular cluster	16:47	–01°57	Oph	20	Jul–Sep
072	NGC 6231	Open cluster	16:54	–41°48	Sco	21	May–Oct
073	NGC 6254, Messier 10	Globular cluster	16:57	–04°06	Oph	20	Jul–Sep
074	NGC 6266, Messier 62	Globular cluster	17:01	–30°07	Oph	21	May–Oct
075	NGC 6273, Messier 19	Globular cluster	17:03	–26°16	Oph	20/21	Jun–Oct
076	NGC 6281	Open cluster	17:05	–37°54	Sco	21	May–Oct
077	Barnard 59-78, Pipe Nebula	Dark nebula	17:25	–26°30	Oph	21	May–Oct
078	NGC 6405, Butterfly Cluster	Open cluster	17:40	–32°13	Sco	21	May–Oct
079	NGC 6397	Globular cluster	17:41	–53°40	Ara	03/21	Apr–Oct
080	NGC 6475, Ptolemy's Cluster	Open cluster	17:54	–34°49	Sco	21	May–Oct
081	NGC 6494, Messier 23	Open cluster	17:57	–19°01	Sgr	21	May–Oct
082	NGC 6514, Trifid Nebula	Bright nebula	18:03	–23°02	Sgr	21	May–Oct
083	NGC 6523, Lagoon Nebula	Bright nebula	18:04	–24°23	Sgr	21	May–Oct
084	NGC 6531, Messier 21	Open cluster	18:05	–22°30	Sgr	21	May–Oct
085	NGC 6541	Globular cluster	18:08	–43°42	CrA	21	May–Oct
086	NGC 6584	Globular cluster	18:19	–52°13	Tel	03/21	Apr–Oct
087	NGC 6618, Swan Nebula	Bright nebula	18:21	–16°11	Sgr	21	May–Oct
088	IC 4715, Messier 24	Star cloud	18:27	–18°23	Sgr	21	May–Oct
089	IC 4725, Messier 25	Open cluster	18:32	–19°15	Sgr	21	May–Oct
090	NGC 6656, Messier 22	Globular cluster	18:36	–23°54	Sgr	21	May–Oct
091	NGC 6705, Wild Duck Cluster	Open cluster	18:51	–06°16	Sct	20/21/22	Jun–Oct
092	NGC 6723	Globular cluster	18 59	–36°38	Sgr	21	May–Oct
093	Bernes 157	Dark nebula	19:03	–37°08	CrA	21	May–Oct
094	NGC 6744	Galaxy	19:10	–63°51	Pav	06	Jul–Jan
095	NGC 6752	Globular cluster	19:11	–59°59	Pav	06	Jul–Jan
096	NGC 6809, Messier 55	Globular cluster	19:40	–30°58	Sgr	21	May–Oct
097	Melotte 227	Open cluster	20:12	–79°19	Oct	01	Jan–Dec
098	NGC 7089, Messier 2	Globular cluster	21:34	–00°49	Aqr	23	Aug–Nov
099	NGC 7099, Messier 30	Globular cluster	21:40	–23°11	Cap	23	Aug–Nov
100	NGC 7293, Helix Nebula	Planetary nebula	22:30	–20°48	Aqr	23	Aug–Nov

(Key: Column 1 gives the running number in this list; the RA and Dec are in J2000.0; column 6 is the abbreviation of the constellation containing the object; column 7 lists the chart number in the Discover! atlas where the object would appear; the final column gives a rough guide to when the object can be seen mid-evening.)

Download star charts showing the Top 100

(Updated Nov 02; further charts will be added soon)

Chart 4, showing NGC 2362, NGC 2451, NGC 2447, NGC 2477, NGC 2516, NGC 2547, IC 2391, NGC 2808, NGC 2818, IC 2488, NGC 3114, NGC 3132, NGC 3201, IC 2581, NGC 3293, NGC 3324, IC 2602, NGC 3372, NGC 3532, Coalsack nebula, NGC 4755 and NGC 4833. These 22 objects (16 open clusters, three globular clusters, and three nebula -bright, dark, and planetary) lie in Crux, Musca, Pyxis, Puppis, Carina, Vela and Canis Major.

Chart 5 shows NGC 1261, NGC 1316, NGC 1365, NGC 1851, NGC 2070 and the Large Magellanic Cloud.

Chart 6 shows NGC 247, NGC 6752, NGC 6744, NGC 55, NGC 253, NGC 288, NGC 362, NGC 104 and the Small Magellanic Cloud.

Chart 25, showing NGC 55, NGC 247, NGC 253, NGC 288, NGC 1316, NGC 1365, NGC 246 and NGC 1068. These eight objects (six galaxies, a planetary nebula and a globular cluster) lie in Sculptor, Fornax and Cetus, and are visible from October to February in the evenings.

• Top 100 list (MS-Word document) or

• Top 100 list (MS-Excel spread sheet).

• Cartes du Ciel Top 100 catalogue.

• DOC deep-sky tutorial

• DOC deep-sky observing checklist

• Discover! star charts

• DOC deep-sky database [in progress]

Keywords: Astronomy, deepsky observing, deep sky observing, top 100 deepsky objects, observing list, best southern deepsky objects

This website is licensed under an attribution-noncommercial 2.5 creative commons license and is © 2005-2007 Auke Slotegraaf.