Introduction and Monthly Reminders
October has started off cool with the current weather forecast predicting that it will remain that way for the rest of the month. I hope that many of my readers were able to enjoy the cooler evenings and were able to view some of the highlights for the month, such as close approaches between the Moon and the planets and the different phases of the Moon. For those able to use a telescope, I hope that Saturn and Jupiter were highlights for the evening as well as several of the Messier objects that have been discussed.
Still to come this month, observers may witness the Orionid meteor shower which peaks on the 21st. The New Moon will occur near the end of the month, creating a great opportunity to view the Milky Way Band, Messier objects, and fainter DSO's.
Messier Targets 🔭
The Messier Catalog contains 110 objects to view throughout the year. Most of these objects require a telescope or a pair of binoculars. As with all DSOs, observing from a location with minimal light pollution will enhance your views. If using a telescope, I recommend using a low-power eyepiece to help find the object, then increase the power to bring out more detail. So far, I have highlighted the Messier objects belonging to Hercules, Draco, Lyra, Serpens, Scorpius, Scutum, Ophiuchus, Sagittarius, Cygnus, Vulpecula, Aquarius, Andromeda, and Cassiopeia.
This post will highlight the few Messier objects belonging to Pegasus, Perseus, and Triangulum. The Stellarium image below shows what the night sky looks like during an October evening in Utah. This image shows the night sky as an observer faces east after sunset. Notice Jupiter, the brightest "star" and Saturn, the second brightest "star" near the right edge of the image.
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| October night sky facing east after sunset. The brightest objects are Jupiter and Saturn. |
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| October night sky facing east after sunset with constellation lines and labels. |
I will begin with Perseus, which can be found on the left side of the images above. By using the outstretched arm, which is holding the head of Medusa, we can find M34. This Messier object is an open star cluster with the alternate names NGC 1039 and the Spiral Cluster. See the image below for the location of M34.
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| Location of M34 in Perseus. |
The next target is M76 (aka NGC 651, Little Dumbbell Nebula), a planetary nebula. This object can be found halfway between Cassiopeia and Andromeda. By using the "normal" part of the "W" shape, create an imaginary line that connects to the star at the tip of Andromeda. See the image below for the location of M76.
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| Location of M76 in Perseus. |
Next, we move to the Triangulum constellation, which can be found between Perseus and Pisces. This is where M33 (aka NGC 598, Triangulum Galaxy) is located. By using the star that makes up the point of the triangle closest to Pisces, an observer can guide their scope towards Andromeda to lock onto M33. See the image below for the location of M33.
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| Location of M33 in Triangulum. |
The final target can be found in the constellation of Pegasus. M15 (aka NGC 7078, Pegasus Cluster) is a globular cluster, like the Hercules Cluster, one of my favorite targets. To find M15, simply use the two stars that make up the nose of Pegasus and follow them off the tip of the nose, like a water droplet falling off the nose of a horse after getting a drink. See the image below.
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| Location of M15 in Pegasus. |
The images below show the location of the four Messier objects found in Perseus, Triangulum, and Pegasus.
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| Messier object locations in Perseus, Triangulum, and Pegasus. |
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| Messier object locations in Perseus, Triangulum, and Pegasus with constellation lines and labels. |
The November Monthly Night Sky Report will finish up the Messier objects best viewed during the autumn months. All of these images were provided by Stellarium. My updated Messier list can be found here.
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| Now get outside and look up! |
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