Suggest deep-sky targets for binoculars?

Question

I have a pair of Celestron Skymaster 15x70s, plus a tripod. Good binocs. I'm looking for easy deep-sky targets -- nebulae, galaxies, clusters, etc. So far, I've observed Andromeda (M31), the M82 galaxy in Ursa Major, and the Orion Nebula (M42). What are some good Spring/Summer targets that stand up to modest light pollution?

Answer 1

Gene is right. Follow the Milky Way very slowly. Take the time to stop and study a region (knowing that the rotation will cause the region to 'sweep' through the field of view).

Also, find M13, one of the easier northern globular cluster, in Hercules, an easy Spring/Summer target.

In fact, give yourself the following challenge: try to see as many of the Messier objects as you can. This may take a while with binoculars and some will be beyond your reach. But it will be fun (and a nice way to compare what you can see with what the books -- or websites -- show about the objects).

Keep a log book. Take notes. Learn to sketch star patterns. It is a challenge without a drive (to compensate for Earth's spin) but it is not impossible -- begin with easy patterns. Sometimes you need to sketch just enough stars so that you can verify that what you looked at is really what you were looking for. Also, you can see planets (or even some asteroids) move from day to day or week to week.

With your binoculars, you might even reach Neptune. You will not see it as a disk. Therefore you will not know which dot it is, unless you sketch it over a week or two.

Answer 2

My first piece of advice is to try to get away from light pollution. A trip to a dark sky site will reward you with much more satisfying views.

My favourite hunting ground with binoculars (aside from the targets you already have viewed) is to start out at the"spout" of the "teapot" of Sagittarius, and slowly sweep northward up the Milky Way. This area is incredibly rich with bright and dark nebulae, open star clusters, globular star clusters, and asterisms. I can spend hours there with my 15x70s, eventually reaching Cygnus.

Answer 3

If you have a clear southern view, there's a ton of stuff in Saggitarius. You're looking toward the galactic center. The trifid and lagoon nebula and a bunc of open clusters are there. You can spend a few nights having fun there. Here's a start...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagittarius_(constellation)

Answer 4

You are using great binocs. Good for you! May I suggest that you consider joining the Binocular Messier Club? Check this out:

http://www.astroleague.org/al/obsclubs/binomess/binomess.html

Even if you choose not to formally join, you can still use their list of easy/hard objects.

HTH

Charles

Answer 5

How about Scorpio? It actually looks like a scorpion and is stunning in the southern sky during the summer. I can remember looking at Antares with my first binos as a teenager. What memories!

Answer 6

Lovejoy, the next to last star in the handle og the big dipper, it is a good look.