My Deep Sky Observations - Overview

Since 2016, I conducted simple "deep sky observations," which might be of interest to other beginners and are therefore listed here. This page provides an overview of the respective observations.

For your convenience (and my), the observed objects are listed in two orders: (1) alphabetically by catalog, and (2) by prime season and constellation. Note that some singular observation are not contained in these lists.

I selected the observation objects primarily on the basis of my literature (see references).

Note: The collection of the original lists from my observations series, on which this page is based, can now be found here.

Conditions

Observation Location

Most observations were conducted in Mühlhausen/Kraichgau (Germany):

Coordinates: 49° 15′ N , 8° 43′ E
Coordinates (dec.): 49.25° N, 8.72° E

I conducted further deep sky observations in Erkerode (near Braunschweig, Germany) as well as in France (Sumène, close to Saint Julien-Chapteuil, Haute Loire, France):

Coordinates: 45° 2′ N, 4° 4′ E
Coordinates (dec.): 45.04° N, 4.06° E

Devices Used

I used all my telescopes (as long as I owned them...) and, except for the GSD 680 (8" Dobsonian) and the PS 72/432, also used them at times on my Star Discovery AZ GoTo mount. Moreover, I used my 10 x 25 binoculars (Leica Trinovid), which are not all night glasses. In October 2017, I also acquired TS 10 x 60 binoculars. In August 2018, I also acquired a simple AZ Pronto mount.

I used all kinds of eyepieces, but preferred my UWA eyepieces (16 mm, 10 mm, 7 mm, 4 mm) as well as a 32 mm Plössl eyepiece and a 24 mm WA eyepiece for maximum overview.

General Conditions

In general, the sky above Mühlhausen/Kraichgau is "light-polluted" and does not invite you to search for deep sky objects. This is certainly one of the reasons why I found some of the deep sky objects that I wanted to observe only sometimes or not at all. Often, the sky was not yet dark enough for observing deep sky objects ...

I conducted further deep sky observations in Erkerode (near Braunschweig, Germany) and later in autumn also in France (Sumène, Haute Loire, France). The sky above Sumène, Haute Loire (France) is relatively dark (the Betz observatory used by the Orion43 group is near-by).

Overview of Observed Objects (Sorted by Names)

Messier Objects
DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Bino	Telescope	Prime Season*	When Observed?	Remarks	Rec.
M 1	Crab Nebula	Taurus	GE		P130 GT, GSD 680, 150 PDS GTAI	Winter	Feb, Mar	very faint, n.f. with 100P, seen with AI
M 2		Aquarius	GC		PS 72/432, 100P	Autumn	Oct-Nov	larger than M 15
M 3		Canes Venatici	GC	TS	150PDS GT, SM127 GT, PS 72/432 GT	Spring	May, June	similar to M 5 and M 92, somewhat grainy at high magnifications	+
M 5		Serpens Caput	GC	TS	150PDS GT, SM127 GT, PS 72/432 GT	Spring	May, June	similar to M 3 and M 92, somewhat grainy at high magnifications	+
M 8	Lagoon Nebula	Sagittarius	OC+GN		100P, 100P GT, SM102 GT, PS 72/432	Summer	Aug, Sep	saw only stars, perhaps some glow...
M 10		Ophiuchus	GC		SM102 GT	Summer	Sep	a faint glow
M 11	Wild Duck Cluster	Scutum	OC	LT, TS	SM102 GT, SM127, P130 GT, 150 PDS GT, PS 72/432, ST120	Summer	Aug-Nov	saw stars, a nebula within; no nebula impression at higher magnifications	+
M 12		Ophiuchus	GC		SM102 GT	Summer	Sep	a faint glow
M 13		Hercules	GC	LT, TS, OM21	100P, 100P GT, SM 102, SM 102 GT, SM 127, P130, P130 GT, 150PDS GT, GSD 680, PS 72/432, ST12´0	Summer	May, Aug-Nov	largest observed GC, some stars visible with 4 mm eyepiece (187.5 x), grainy, somewhat resolved into stars	+
M 15		Pegasus	GC		100P, 100P GTAI, 150 PDS GTAI, PS 72/432	Autumn	Sep-Nov, Jan	not as large as M 13 and M 2; took it for a star at low magnifications	+
M 16	Eagle Nebula	Serpens	OC+GN		SM102 GT, PS 72/432	Summer	Sep, Oct	loose, IC 4703 not found
M 17	Omega/Swan Nebula	Sagittarius	GE		SM102 GT, PS 72/432	Summer	Sep, Oct	saw only stars, a faint glow at best
M 20	Trifid Nebula	Sagittarius	GE		100P, 100P GT, P130 GT	Summer	Aug, Sep	saw only stars, not a real "find"...
M 21		Sagittarius	OC		???	Summer	???		?
M 23		Sagittarius	OC		???	Summer	???		?
M 24		Sagittarius	SP		???	Summer	???		?
M 25		Sagittarius	OC		PS 72/432, 100P	Summer	Oct	open, wide-spread cluster close to a yellow star (probably M 25)
M 27	Dumbbell Nebula	Vulpecula	PN		100P GT, 100P GTAI, 150PDSGT, 150PDS GTAI, PS 72/432	Summer	Aug-Oct, Jan	a glow, with AI recognizable; seen quite well with PS72, and large and beautifully in Betz
M 29		Cygnus	OC		???	Summer	???		?
M 31/32		Andromeda	G	LT, TS, OM21	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, GSD 680, SM 102, SM 127, SM 127 GTAI, PS 72/432	Autumn	Sep-Nov, Jan-Feb	seen best in France, even with binoculars; M 32 seen with AI	+
M 33		Triangulum	G	LT	PS 72/432	Autumn	Sep, Oct	very faint
M 34		Perseus	OC	LT, TS	100P, PS 72/432	Autumn	Sep-Nov	in binoculars more of a glow, in France resolved in single stars
M 35		Gemini	OC	LT, TS	100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT, 150PDS GT(AI), GSD 680, SM 102, SM 127, PS 72/432, PS 72/432 GT	Winter	Dec-May	rich of stars and nice	+
M 36		Auriga	OC	LT, TS	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT(AI), GSD 680, PS 72/432 GT	Winter	Feb-May	the brightest cluster of M 36-38	+
M 37		Auriga	OC	LT, TS	100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT(AI), GSD 680, PS 72/432, PS 72/432 GT	Winter	Feb-May	outside of Auriga's "body"	+
M 38		Auriga	OC	LT, TS	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT(AI), GSD 680, PS 72/432 GT	Winter	Feb-May	most difficult to find of M 36-38	+
M 39		Cygnus	OC	LT, TS	100P, PS 72/432	Summer	Sep-Nov	at the upper left end of an Y; a wide, triangular field of stars
M 41		Canis Major	OC		100P, P130 GT, PS 72/432, GSD 680, 150PDS GT(AI)	Winter	Feb-Apr	does not impress in the telescope...
M 42/43	Orion Nebula	Orion	GE	LT, TS	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT(AI), GSD 680, SM 102, SM 127, PS 72/432	Winter	Nov-Mar	beautiful, particularly at higher magnifications; at higher magnifications, the Trapezium can be resolved	+
M 44	Praesepe/Crib	Cancer	OC	LT, TS	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT, PS 72/432, PS 72/432 GT	Winter	Feb-May	very nice also in binoculars; ditto in the telescope	+
M 45	Pleiades	Taurus	OC	LT, TS, OM21	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, GSD 680, SM 127 GTAI, 150PDS GTAI, PS 72/432, PS 72/432 GT	Winter	Oct-May	large and nice, particularly in binoculars	+
M 46		Puppis	OC		100P, P130 GT, PS 72/432	Winter	Feb-Mar	M 46 cluster seen, faint but nice; like a nebula at low magnifications; nebula NGC 2438 not seen
M 47		Puppis	OC		100P, P130 GT, 150PDS GT, PS 72/432	Winter	Feb-Mar	brighter than M 46
M 48		Hydra	OC		P130 GT, 150PDS GT, PS 72/432	Spring	Feb-Mar	nice, but not bright
M 49		Virgo	G		150PDS GT	Spring	May	small, but seen well
M 50		Monoceros	OC		P130 GT, GSD 680, 150PDS GT(AI), PS 72/432	Winter	Feb-Apr	nicer than M 48, filled the view
M 51	Whirlpool Galaxy	Canes Venatici	G		150PDS GT	Spring	May	glow (brighter nucleus?), diffuse something...
M 52		Cassiopeia	OC		PS72/432	North	Sep, Oct	hard to find for me...
M 53		Coma Berenices	GC		150PDS GT, SM127 GT	Spring	May, Jun	smallest observed GC, somewhat grainy, brighter nucleus at high magnification
M 56		Lyra	GC		100P, 100P GTAI, SM 102, SM 127, 150PDS GTAI	Summer	Aug-Oct, Jan	sphere visible, but definitely smaller than M 13 and M 92; seen very well in Betz
M 57	Ring Nebula	Lyra	PN		SM 102, SM102 GT, SM 127, P130 GT, 100P, 100P GTAI, 150PDS GT, 150PDS GTAI, PS 72/432	Summer	Aug-Nov, Jan	ring may be guessed at high magnifications at best, seen well with AI and larger telescopes (Betz)
M 64		Coma Berenices	G		150PDS GT	Spring	May	glow, but seen well
M 65/66		Leo	G		150PDS GT	Spring	May	sometimes, I could see two faint galaxies, often only one
M 67		Cancer	OC		150PDS GT	Winter	Mar, May	somewhat distant OC
M 71		Sagitta	GC		???, 150PDS GTAI, PS 72/432	Summer	Sep, Jan	M 71 was very lose; seen well with AI; with PS72 probably seen faintly
M 78		Orion	GR		P130 GT	Winter	???	hard to see...
M 81/82	Bode Galaxies, Cigar Galaxy (M 82)	Ursa Major	G		100P, P130 GT, 150PDS GT	North	Feb, May, Sep	two galaxies, oblique to the left, rounder to the right	(+)
M 87		Virgo	G		150PDS GT	Spring	May	perhaps a spherical glow, not much to see
M 92		Hercules	GC	LT, TS	100P, 100P GT, 102 GT, P130, P130 GT, 150PDS GT, GSD 680, PS 72/432	Summer	May, Aug- Oct	similar to M 3 and M 5, somewhat grainy at high magnifications	(+)
M 93		Puppis	OC		100P, P130 GT, 150PDS GT	Winter	Mar	nice at high magnification, a only glow otherwise
M 94		Canes Venatici	G		150PDS GT	Spring	May	glow
M 96		Leo	G		150PDS GT	Spring	May	sometimes, a faint galaxy could be recognized, mostly none
M 103		Cassiopeia	OC		100P, PS 72/432	North	Sep, Oct	more like a small star pattern...
M 104	Sombrero Galaxy	Virgo	G		150PDS GT	Spring	May	oblique flat glow, but no sombrero
M 106		Canes Venatici	G		150PDS GT	Spring	May	found, weak glow?
Further Catalogs
DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Bino	Telescope	Prime Season*	When Observed?	Remarks	Rec.
Cr 399	Coat Hanger	Vulpecula	OC	LT, TS, OM21	100P	Summer	Aug-Nov	in binoculars better than in the telescope, on OM21 mostly only partially visible	+
IC 4665		Ophiuchus	OC		SM102 GT	Summer	Sep	saw only relatively distant stars
IC 4756		Serpens	OC		???	Summer	Sep?	n.f.	?
Mel 20	Alpha Persei Cluster	Perseus	OC	LT, TS, OM21	100P, PS 72/432	Autumn	Sep-Nov, Jan-Mar	very nice, even to the naked eye	+
Mel 25	Hyades	Taurus	OC	LT, TS	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, GSD 680	Winter	Oct-Mar	very large	+
Mel 111	Coma Berenices Cluster	Coma Berenices	OC	LT, TS	100P	Spring	May, Jun	distant OC of relatively bright stars, only for opera glasses; a faint glow to the naked eye	+
NGC 457	Owl/E.T. Cluster	Cassiopeia	OC		100P, PS 72/432	North	Sep, Oct	rather small, the "eyes" stand out
NGC 663/NGC 654		Cassiopeia	OC		100P, SM127, PS 72/432	North	Sep-Nov	663 seen (a lot of small stars and star pairs), 654 probably not
NGC 752		Andromeda	OC		PS 72/432	Autumn	Sep	large, many small stars
NGC 884/NGC 869	Perseus Double Cluster	Perseus	OC	LT, TS, OM21	100P, P130 GT, GSD 680, PS 72/432	Autumn	Sep-Mar	seen with the naked eye, nice in binoculars (both together)	+
NGC 2237/2244	Rosette Nebula	Monoceros	GE+OC		P130 GT, PS 72/432	Winter	Feb, Mar	only star cluster NGC 2244 seen
NGC 2264	Christmas Tree Cluster	Monoceros	OC		P130 GT, 150PDS GTAI	Winter	Feb, Mar, Apr	"Christmas Tree" not recognized in Feb, but in Mar; nebula within the cluster not seen
NGC 2360		Canis Major	OC		???	Winter	Mar	n.f.?	?
NGC 2362		Canis Major	OC		100P, P130 GT, GSD 680	Winter	Mar	primarily, I saw an "L" shape...
NGC 2392		Gemini	PN		P130 GT	Winter	Mar	guessed a small dot...
NGC 6633		Ophiuchus	OC		P130 GT	Summer	Sep	n.f., too low in Sep	?
NGC 6960/6992/5	Cirrus Nebula	Cygnus	PN		???	Summer	???	n.f.	?
NGC 7000	North America Nebula	Cygnus	GE		???	Summer		n.f.	?
St 2	Muscle Man	Cassiopeia	OC	LT, TS	PS 72/432	North	Oct, Nov	saw stars, but initially did not recognize the shape - did so in 2018
Double Stars
DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Bino	Telescope	Prime Season*	When Observed?	Remarks	Rec.
beta Cyg	Albireo	Cygnus	DS		100P, PS 72/432	Summer	Aug-Sep	nice difference in color	+
alpha Gem	Castor	Gemini	DS		100P	Winter	May
epsilon Lyr	Double Double	Lyra	DS	TS, OM21	100P, SM 102, SM 127, PS 72/432	Summer	Aug-Sep	Seen as "double pair" from a magnification of about 100 x on
zeta UMa	Mizar/Alkor	Ursa Major	DS		100P, PS 72/432	North	Aug-Sep, May	double star; visual double star with Alkor	+

Legend

*) "Prime Season" describes when the sky objects are in the South (this is how they are assigned to season in books etc.). Of course, you can observe most sky object in other sky regions at other times of the year. Column "When observed?" lists, when I observed the sky objects.

Rec.: + = preliminary recommendation of (fairly) easy to find objects; (+) = these objects are nice, but harder to find or require a darker sky; ? = not found or details forgotten

Bino: LT = Leica Trinovid 10 x 25 BC, TS = TS 10 x 60 LE; Telescope: GT means GoTo mount, GTAI means with Atik Infinity camera on GoTo mount, , GT(AI) means both configurations

PN = planetary nebula, GE = galactic emission nebula, GR = galactic reflection nebula, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, DS = double star, SP = star pattern, SC = star cloud

Overview of Observed Objects (Sorted by Season and Constellation)

The following version of my observation list is sorted by primary season and by constellation. Its order follows, including the order of the objects themselves, the book Deep Sky Reiseführer by R. Stoyan.

North
DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Bino	Telescope	When Observed?	Remarks	Rec.
M 81/82	Bode Galaxies, Cigar Galaxy (M 82)	Ursa Major	G		100P, P130 GT, 150PDS GT	Feb, May, Sep	two galaxies, oblique to the left, rounder to the right	(+)
zeta UMa	Mizar/Alkor	Ursa Major	DS		100P	Aug-Sep, May	double star; visual double star with Alkor	+
M 52		Cassiopeia	OC		PS 72/432	Sep, Oct	hard to find for me
NGC 457	Owl/E.T. Cluster	Cassiopeia	OC		100P, PS 72/432	Sep, Oct	rather small, the "eyes" stand out
M 103		Cassiopeia	OS		100P, PS 72/432	Sep, Oct	3-4 stars, more like a small star pattern...
NGC 663/NGC 654		Cassiopeia	OC		100P, SM127, PS 72/432	Sep-Nov	663 seen (a lot of small stars and star pairs), 654 probably not
St 2	Muscle Man	Cassiopeia	OC	TS, LT	PS 72/432	Oct, Nov	saw stars, but initially did not recognize the shape - did so in 2018
Spring
DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Bino	Telescope	When Observed?	Remarks	Rec.
M 96		Leo	G		150PDS GT	May	sometimes, a faint galaxy could be recognized, mostly none
M 65/66		Leo	G		150PDS GT	May	sometimes, I could see two faint galaxies, often only one
M 48		Hydra	OC		P130 GT, 150PDS GT	Mar	nice, but not bright
M 106		Canes Venatici	G		150PDS GT	May	found, weak glow?
M 94		Canes Venatici	G		150PDS GT	May	glow
M 51	Whirlpool Galaxy	Canes Venatici	G		150PDS GT	May	glow (brighter nucleus?), diffuse something...
M 3		Canes Venatici	GC	TS	150PDS GT, SM127 GT, PS 72/432 GT	May, June	similar to M 5 and M 92, somewhat grainy at high magnifications	+
Mel 111	Coma Berenices Cluster	Coma Berenices	OC	LT, TS	100P	May, Jun	distant OC of relatively bright stars, only for opera glasses; a faint glow to the naked eye	+
M 64		Coma Berenices	G		150PDS GT	May	glow, but seen well
M 53		Coma Berenices	GC		150PDS GT, SM127 GT	May, Jun	smallest observed GC, somewhat grainy, brighter nucleus at high magnification; not in Stoyan
M 49		Virgo	G		150PDS GT	May	small, but seen well
M 104	Sombrero Galaxy	Virgo	G		150PDS GT	May	oblique flat glow, but no sombrero
M 87		Virgo	G		150PDS GT	May	perhaps a spherical glow, not much to see
M 5		Serpens Caput	GC	TS	150PDS GT, SM127 GT, PS 72/432 GT	May, June	similar to M 3 and M 92, somewhat grainy at high magnifications	+
Summer
DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Bino	Telescope	When Observed?	Remarks	Rec.
M 13		Hercules	GC	LT, TS, OM21	100P, 100P GT, SM 102, SM 102 GT, SM 127, P130, P130 GT, 150PDS GT, GSD 680, PS 72/432, ST120	May, Aug-Nov	largest observed GC, some stars visible with 4 mm eyepiece (187.5 x), grainy, somewhat resolved into stars	+
M 92		Hercules	GC	LT, TS	100P, 100P GT, 102 GT, P130, P130 GT, 150PDS GT, GSD 680, PS 72/432	May, Aug-Oct	similar to M 3 and M 5, somewhat grainy at high magnifications	(+)
epsilon Lyr	Double Double	Lyra	DS		100P, SM 102, SM 127, PS 72/432	Aug-Sep	Seen as "double pair" from a magnification of about 100 x on
M 57	Ring Nebula	Lyra	PN		SM 102, SM102 GT, SM 127, P130 GT, 100P, 100P GTAI, 150PDS GT, 150PDS GTAI, PS 72/432	Aug-Nov, Jan	ring may be guessed at high magnifications at best, seen well with AI and larger telescopes (Betz)
M 56		Lyra	GC		100P, 100P GTAI, SM 102, SM 127, 150PDS GTAI	Aug-Oct, Jan	sphere visible, but definitely smaller than M 13 and M 92; seen very well in Betz
M 12		Ophiuchus	GC		SM102 GT	Sep	a faint glow
M 10		Ophiuchus	GC		SM102 GT	Sep	a faint glow
IC 4665		Ophiuchus	OC		SM102 GT	Sep	saw only relatively distant stars
NGC 6633		Ophiuchus	OC		P130 GT	Sep	n.f., too low in Sep	?
beta Cyg	Albireo	Cygnus	DS		100P, PS 72/432	Aug-Sep	nice difference in color	+
M 29		Cygnus	OC		???	???		?
NGC 6960/6992/5	Cirrus Nebula	Cygnus	PN		???	???	n.f.	?
NGC 7000	North America Nebula	Cygnus	GE		???		n.f.	?
M 39		Cygnus	OC	LT, TS	100P, PS 72/432	Sep-Nov	at the upper left end of an Y; a wide, triangular field of stars
Cr 399	Coat Hanger	Vulpecula	OC	LT, TS, OM21	100P	Aug-Nov	in binoculars better than in the telescope, on OM21 mostly only partially visible	+
M 27	Dumbbell Nebula	Vulpecula	PN		100P GT, 100P GTAI, 150PDS GT, 150PDS GTAI, PS 72/432	Aug-Oct, Jan	a glow, with AI recognizable; seen quite well with PS72, and large and beautifully in Betz
M 71		Sagitta	GC		???, 150PDS GTAI, PS 72/432	Sep, Jan	M 71 was very lose; seen well with AI; with PS72 probably seen faintly
M 11	Wild Duck Cluster	Scutum	OC	LT, TS	SM102 GT, SM127, P130 GT, 150 PDS GT, PS 72/432, ST120	Aug-Nov	saw stars, a nebula within; no nebula impression at higher magnifications
M 16	Eagle Nebula	Serpens	OC+GN		SM102 GT, PS 72/432	Sep, Oct	loose, IC 4703 not found
IC 4756		Serpens	OC		???	Sep?	n.f.	?
M 23		Sagittarius	OC		???	???		?
M 20	Trifid Nebula	Sagittarius	GE		100P, 100P GT, P130 GT	Aug, Sep	saw only stars, not a real "find"...
M 8	Lagoon Nebula	Sagittarius	OC+GN		100P, 100P GT, SM102 GT , PS 72/432	Aug, Sep	saw only stars, perhaps some glow...
M 21		Sagittarius	OC		???	???		?
M 24	Small Sagittarius Cloud	Sagittarius	SP		???	???		?
M 17	Omega/Swan Nebula	Sagittarius	GE		SM102 GT, PS 72/432	Sep, Oct	saw only stars, a faint glow at best
Autumn
DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Bino	Telescope	When Observed?	Remarks	Rec.
M 15		Pegasus	GC		100P, 100P GTAI, 150PDS GTAI, PS 72/432	Sep-Nov, Jan	not as large as M 13 and M 2; took it for a star at low magnifications	+
M 2		Aquarius	GC		PS 72/432, 100P	Oct-Nov	larger than M 15
M 31/32		Andromeda	G	LT, TS,OM21	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, GSD 680, SM 102, SM 127, SM 127 GTAI, PS 72/432	Sep, Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb	seen best in France, even with binoculars; M 32 seen with AI	+
NGC 752		Andromeda	OC		PS 72/432	Sep	large, many small stars
M 33		Triangulum	G	LT	PS 72/432	Sep, Oct	very faint
NGC 884/NGC 869	Perseus Double Cluster	Perseus	OC	LT, TS, OM21	100P, P130 GT, GSD 680, PS 72/432	Sep-Mar	seen with the naked eye, nice in binoculars (both together)	+
M 34		Perseus	OC	LT, TS	100P, PS 72/432	Sep-Nov	in binoculars more of a glow, in France resolved in single stars
Mel 20	Alpha Persei Cluster	Perseus	OC	LT, TS, OM21	100P, PS 72/432	Sep-Nov, Jan-Mar	very nice, even to the naked eye	+
Winter
DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Bino	Telescope	When Observed?	Remarks	Rec.
M 38		Auriga	OC		100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT(AI), GSD 680, PS 72/432 GT	Feb-May	most difficult to find of M 36-38	+
M 36		Auriga	OC		100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT(AI), GSD 680, PS 72/432 GT	Feb-May	the brightest cluster of M 36-38	+
M 37		Auriga	OC		100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT(AI), GSD 680, PS 72/432 GT	Feb-May	outside of Auriga's "body"	+
M 45	Pleiades	Taurus	OC	LT, TS, OM21	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, GSD 680, SM 127 GTAI, 150PDS GTAI, PS 72/432, PS 72/432 GT	Oct-May	large and nice, particularly in binoculars	+
Mel 25	Hyades	Taurus	OC	LT, TS	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, GSD 680	Oct-Mar	very large	+
M 1	Crab Nebula	Taurus	GE		P130 GT, GSD 680, 150 PDS GTAI	Feb, Mar	very faint, n.f. with 100P, seen with AI
M 42/43	Orion Nebula	Orion	GE	LT, TS	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT(AI), GSD 680, SM 102, SM 127	Nov- Mar	beautiful, particularly at higher magnifications; at higher magnifications, the Trapezium can be resolved	+
M 78		Orion	GR		P130 GT	???	hard to see...
M 35		Gemini	OC	LT, TS	100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT, 150PDS GT(AI), GSD 680, SM 102, SM 127, PS 72/432, PS 72/432 GT	Dec-May	rich of stars and nice	+
NGC 2392		Gemini	PN		P130 GT	Mar	guessed a small dot...
alpha Gem	Castor	Gemini	DS		100P	May
NGC 2237/2244	Rosette Nebula	Monoceros	GE+OC		P130 GT	Feb, Mar	only star cluster NGC 2244 seen
NGC 2264	Christmas Tree Cluster	Monoceros	OC		P130 GT, 150PDS GTAI	Feb, Mar, Apr	"Christmas Tree" not recognized in Feb, but in Mar; nebula within the cluster not seen
M 50		Monoceros	OC		P130 GT, GSD 680, 150PDS GT(AI)	Mar-Apr	nicer than M 48, filled the view
M 41		Canis Major	OC		100P, P130 GT, GSD 680, 150PDS GT(AI)	Feb-Apr	does not impress in the telescope...
NGC 2360		Canis Major	OC		???	Mar	n.f.?	?
NGC 2362		Canis Major	OC		100P, P130 GT, GSD 680	Mar	primarily, I saw an "L" shape...
M 47		Puppis	OC		100P, P130 GT, 150PDS GT	Mar	brighter than M 46
M 46		Puppis	OC		100P, P130 GT	Mar	M 46 cluster seen, faint but nice; like a nebula at low magnifications; nebula NGC 2438 not seen
M 93		Puppis	OC		100P, P130 GT, 150PDS GT	Mar	nice at high magnification, only a glow otherwise
M 44	Praesepe/Crib	Cancer	OC	LT	100P, 100P GT, P130 GT, 150PDS GT, PS 72/432, PS 72/432 GT	Feb-May	very nice also in binoculars; ditto in the telescope	+
M 67		Cancer	OC		150PDS GT	Mar, May	somewhat distant OC

Legend

Column "When observed?" lists, when I observed given sky objects.

Rec.: + = preliminary recommendation of (fairly) easy to find objects; (+) = these objects are nice, but harder to find or require a darker sky; ? = not found or details forgotten

Bino: LT = Leica Trinovid 10 x 25 BC, TS = TS 10 x 60 LE; Telescope: GT means GoTo mount, GTAI means with Atik Infinity camera on GoTo mount, GT(AI) means both configurations

PN = planetary nebula, GE = galactic emission nebula, GR = galactic reflection nebula, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, DS = double star, SP = star pattern, SC = star cloud

Remarks

The above lists contain (almost) all celestial objects that I have tried to observe. For many, I succeeded, for some more or less, and for others not at all. Some of the latter objects are listed as a reminder to try again...

Observation details can be found on the pages describing my observations, as well as on the pages dedicated to the individual celestial objects; the latter pages are linked to in the tables above.

References

Books

Michael Feiler & Philip Novak (2014). Deep Sky Reiseatlas, Oculum Verlag
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=2014
Ronald Stoyan (2014). Deep Sky Reiseführer, Oculum Verlag
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=2015
Erich Karkoschka (2016). Atlas für Himmelsbeobachter, Kosmos Verlag
www.kosmos.de/buecher/ratgeber/astronomie/einsteiger/6598/atlas-fuer-himmelsbeobachter?number=15147
Robin Scagell (2016). 101 Himmelsobjekte, die man gesehen haben muss, Kosmos Verlag
www.kosmos.de/buecher/ratgeber/astronomie/einsteiger/6527/101-himmelsobjekte-die-man-gesehen-haben-muss
Guy Consolmagno & Dan M. Davis (2011). Turn left at Orion, Cambridge University Press.
Online version: www.cambridge.org/de/academic/subjects/astronomy/amateur-and-popular-astronomy/turn-left-orion-hundreds-night-sky-objects-see-home-telescope-and-how-find-them-4th-edition?format=AR&isbn=9781139157735
Print version: www.cambridge.org/de/academic/subjects/astronomy/amateur-and-popular-astronomy/turn-left-orion-hundred-night-sky-objects-see-small-telescope-and-how-find-them-3rd-edition?format=HB&isbn=9780521781909

Websites

Messier catalogues:

My Deep Sky Observations - Overview

Conditions

Observation Location

Devices Used

General Conditions

Overview of Observed Objects (Sorted by Names)

Messier Objects

Further Catalogs

Double Stars

Legend

Overview of Observed Objects (Sorted by Season and Constellation)

North

Spring

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Legend

Remarks

References

Books

Websites

Lists of Own Observations

On this Website