5 Easiest Deep Sky Objects To See With Small Telescopes

Below you can find the list of 5 Easiest Deep Sky Objects To See With Small Telescopes. For a detailed coverage of this topic and a more comprehensive list, please see the 10 Easiest Deep Sky Objects To See With Small Telescopes. 

5. The Great Globular Cluster in Hercules

25,100 light years

Magnitude 5.8

The globular cluster consists of 300,000 stars in the Hercules constellation. It makes for one of the easiest deep sky objects to see with small telescopes thanks to its massive width of 145 light years. It can be located at 20 degrees to the West of constellation Lyra.

4. The Orion Nebula (M42)

1,344 light years

Magnitude 4

The Orion nebula is one of the brightest nebulae and can be spotted even with an unaided eye. It is one of the most popular objects in the night sky and has been extensively studied by professionals.

3. Double Cluster (NGC 884 and NGC 869) in Perseus

7500 light years.

Magnitude 3.7 and 3.8

Open clusters NGC 884 and NGC 869 form the Double Cluster in constellation Perseus. It can be viewed as a bright and sparkling cluster of stars of vivid colors in the night sky. Each cluster consists of about 300 stars of extreme brightness.

2. Andromeda Galaxy

2.537 million light years

Magnitude 3.44

The closest major galaxy to the Milky Way, Andromeda is distinctly visible even without any aid on moonless nights. It may appear similar to a star through a small telescope. Through a larger one, it appears 6 times wider than the full Moon.

1. Pleiades

444.2 light years

Magnitude 1.6

The open cluster stars located in constellation Taurus is located about 10 degrees north of Jupiter. It is one of the nearest star clusters to the Earth and, therefore, makes for one of the best targets and easiest deep sky objects to see with small telescopes.  

See also 11 Best Astronomy iPhone and Android Apps For Star Gazers and 10 Easiest Galaxies to See with Telescope or Binoculars