Planets, nebulae, galaxies and stellar clusters fill the summer night sky. Here is a list of the best targets for your telescope, suitable for both pro and beginner stargazers:
Planets
Venus
When to See: Just before sunrise (late July & August)
Where: Low in the eastern sky
Known as the "morning star," Venus is extremely bright and easy to spot. Through a telescope, you can observe its phases, much like the Moon.
This is what Venus looks like through a medium-sized telescope (Image taken with Samsung A14)
Image taken by Nektarios Giannakis
Mars
When to See: Early morning, pre-dawn (July–August)
Where: Eastern sky
Small and reddish, Mars becomes more visible as the summer progresses. Look for its rust-colored hue and try to spot surface markings with higher magnification.
This is what Mars looks like through an 8'' Dobsodian telescope (Image taken with ZWO ASI 120MC-S)
Credit: u/Hai_Rafuto on Reddit
Jupiter
When to See: Late night to early morning (from July)
Where: Eastern sky, rising around midnight
A favorite for any stargazer. Even a small telescope shows its four Galilean moons, and a larger one reveals bands across its atmosphere.
Jupiter with it's 4 moons through an Orion XT6 Dobsodian telescope
Credit: Paul Sparham, Leatherhead, Surrey, UK, 6 May 2018.
Saturn
When to See: All night by August
Where: Southeastern sky, high around midnight
Famous for its rings, Saturn is breathtaking in any telescope. Its largest moon, Titan, is also visible.
Saturn as seen through a Dobsodian telescope
Credit: Astrobackyard.com
Mercury
When to See: Just after sunset or just before sunrise (timing varies by year)
Where: Very low near the horizon
Mercury is the hardest planet to observe due to its closeness to the Sun. It never strays far from the horizon and often gets lost in twilight glare. A clear, flat horizon helps a lot.
A conjuction between Venus (top right) and Mercury (bottom left). You can see the great angular size difference between the two planets.
Credit: Jon Greif
Nebulae
❗WARNING! All celestial objects except for planets are black and white through a telescope! The colors can only be captured through a camera.
The Lagoon Nebula (M8)
Constellation: Sagittarius
Magnitude: +6.0
Best Time to View: June–August
A large, bright emission nebula. It glows pink in long-exposure photos and reveals detail even in small scopes.
M8 through a set of 15x70 binoculars
Credit: Rony de Laet
The Trifid Nebula (M20)
Constellation: Sagittarius
Magnitude: +6.3
Best Time to View: June–August
Combines emission, reflection, and dark nebula types. Known for its three-part split and its blue-pink color combo in photos.
M20 as seen through a telescope.
Credit: Chris Price, Cedartown, GA, USA
The Omega Nebula (M17)
Constellation: Sagittarius
Magnitude: +6.0
Best Time to View: June–August
Also called the Swan Nebula. Bright and detailed in telescopes, and striking in photos.
A picture of the Omega (or Swan) Nebula.
Credit: Astrobackyard.com
The Dumbell Nebula (M27)
Constellation: Vulpecula
Magnitude: +7.4
Best Time to View: July–September
A large planetary nebula. Shaped like an apple core or dumbbell, and easy to spot.
The Dumbell Nebula through a telescope
Credit: Brian.M.Johnson, Kelling Heath, UK.
The Ring Nebula (M57)
Constellation: Lyra
Magnitude: +8.8
Best Time to View: June–September
Small but bright ring shape. Higher magnification brings it out clearly.
M57 through an 8'' telescope
Credit: Galactic-hunter.com
Galaxies
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
Constellation: Andromeda
Magnitude: +3.4
Best Time to View: Late July–October
Closest major galaxy, visible to the naked eye in dark skies. Immense in size.
The Andromeda Galaxy through a telescope
Credit: Pete Lawrence
Bode's Galaxy (M81)
Constellation: Ursa Major
Magnitude: +6.9
Best Time to View: Early summer evenings
Bright spiral, often paired with M82.
M81 through a telescope
Credit: Rony de Laet
The Cigar Galaxy (M82)
Constellation: Ursa Major
Magnitude: +8.4
Best Time to View: Early summer evenings
Edge-on galaxy undergoing intense star formation.
M82 through a telescope (high magnification)
Credit: Rony de Laet
The Whirpool Galaxy (M51)
Constellation: Canes Venatici
Magnitude: +8.4
Best Time to View: Late spring through early summer
A classic spiral galaxy seen face-on with a companion. Stunning in astrophotography.
M51 through a telescope (with a full moon)
Credit: astronomynightly.com
Constellation: Coma Berenices
Magnitude: +8.5
Best Time to View: Late spring through early summer
Named for a dark band of dust resembling a bruised eye.
The Black Eye Galaxy through a telescope
Credit: Galactic-hunter.com
Star Clusters
The Wild Duck Cluster (M11)
Constellation: Scutum
Magnitude: +6.3
Best Time to View: July–September
Dense and rich open cluster. Looks like a flock of birds in flight.
A photo of The Wild Duck Cluster (in the middle)
Credit: Richard Bright
The Hercules Cluster (M13)
Constellation: Hercules
Magnitude: +5.8
Best Time to View: June–August
Bright globular cluster. Easily resolved with a medium telescope.
A photo of M13
Credit: Astrobackyard.com
Constellation: Scorpius
Magnitude: +4.2
Best Time to View: June–July
Open cluster shaped like a butterfly. Beautiful even in binocularsul even in binoculars.
A photo of M6
Credit: Roberto Colombari
Tips from the author
1.Stay away from light sources:
Avoid using bright white-light flashlights and make sure you pick a stargazing spot away from city/village lights. You can always check the amount of light pollution of your area in a light pollution map.
2.Find flat terrain where you will set up your telescope:
If you don't want your stargazing adventure to be ruined, you will need to make sure that you will set up your telescope on flat terrain, or else you will have to face the danger of your telescope tripping and even braking because of the fall.
3.Bring friends, snacks and a chair:
There is nothing better than stargazing with your loved ones and relaxing under the beautiful night sky. Food or drinks can further enhance the experience. I personally recommend that you always bring a chair or something to rest on, since your back and neck will certainly hurt after a long session of stargazing, whether you set out solo or with company.