Astronomy Events Calendar
This guide shows you what to look out for in the night sky including meteor showers and conjunctions.
What to see in December 2008
Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /usr/www/users/lonewolf/lonewolf-online/wp-content/themes/lonewolfonline/page.astronomy-calendar.php on line 73
Deep Space Objects in December
Full list of Messier Objects and Caldwell Catalogue.C15 - "Blinking Eye Nebula" Planetary Nebula in Cygnus
A colourful planetary nebula in Cygnus resembles a blinking eye. This nebula is famous for its red fliers which so far defy explanation.
Right Ascension: 19h 44.8m Declination: +50° 31m Magnitude: 8C19 - "Cocoon Nebula" Bright Nebula in Cygnus
The nebula which includes reflection and emission nebulosity is bisected by a dark dust lane. The cluster is not very rich, containing only about 20 stars, the brightest of which is about magnitude 9.6
Right Ascension: 21h 53.5m Declination: +47° 16m Magnitude: 7C20 - "Nort American Nebula" Bright Nebula in Cygnus
Lying just 3 degrees from the bright star Deneb, this is a preferred object for astrophotographers as it is very easy to image.
Right Ascension: 20h 58.8m Declination: +44° 20m Magnitude: 0C22 - Planetary Nebula in Andromeda
Right Ascension: 23h 25.9m Declination: +42° 33m Magnitude: 8
C23 - Spiral Galaxy in Andromeda
Right Ascension: 02h 22.6m Declination: +42° 21m Magnitude: 9
C27 - "Crescent Nebula" Bright Nebula in Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20h 12.0m Declination: +38° 21m Magnitude: 0
C28 - Open Cluster in Andromeda
Right Ascension: 01h 57.8m Declination: +37° 41m Magnitude: 5
C30 - Spiral Galaxy in Pegasus
Right Ascension: 22h 37.1m Declination: +34° 25m Magnitude: 9
C33 - "East Veil Nebula" Supernova Remnant in Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20h 56.4m Declination: +31° 43m Magnitude: 0
C34 - "West Veil Nebula" Supernova Remnant in Cygnus
Right Ascension: 20h 45.7m Declination: +30° 43m Magnitude: 0
C43 - Spiral Galaxy in Pegasus
Right Ascension: 00h 03.3m Declination: +16° 09m Magnitude: 10
C44 - Spiral Galaxy in Pegasus
Right Ascension: 23h 04.9m Declination: +12° 19m Magnitude: 11
M2 - Globular Cluster in Aquarius
This is a small, bright globular cluster in Aquarius. To find it look for a round fuzzy patch, brighter in the center and fading to the edge.
Right Ascension: 21h 33.5m Declination: -00° 49m Magnitude: 8M15 - Globular Cluster in Pegasus
This globular cluster in Pegasus is very similar to M2 in size and brightness, except it is surrounded by several bright stars. Fairly easy to find in binoculars but the best view is through a telescope at medium to high power.
Right Ascension: 21h 30.0m Declination: 12° 10m Magnitude: 8M29 - Open Cluster in Cygnus
This galactic cluster is a small, sparse group of stars in Cygnus. It appears as a small fuzzy patch amongst a rich star field in binoculars. A telescope will easily resolve the members of this cluster.
Right Ascension: 20h 23.9m Declination: 38° 32m Magnitude: 9M31 - "The Andromeda Galaxy" Galaxy in Andromeda
The famous Andromeda Galaxy is our closest galactic neighbor, and the largest, brightest galaxy to be seen in the northern sky. The ability to see M31 with the naked eye provides a good test of the darkness of your skies. M31 is so large that binoculars provide the best view, allowing the entire galaxy to be seen in one field of view.
Right Ascension: 00h 42.7m Declination: 41° 16m Magnitude: 4M32 - Galaxy in Andromeda
This is an elliptical companion galaxy to M31. Through a telescope look for a slightly oval ball of fuzz in the same low power field as the core of M31. M32 is very possible to find in binoculars as a star like point of light.
Right Ascension: 00h 42.7m Declination: 40° 52m Magnitude: 10M39 - Open Cluster in Cygnus
Dark skies will allow this large, bright cluster in Cygnus to be seen with the naked eye as a hazy patch of light. Binoculars easily resolve this cluster into it's bright and widely scattered members, and provide a better view than can be seen with most telescopes.
Right Ascension: 21h 32.2m Declination: 48° 26m Magnitude: 6M110 - Galaxy in Andromeda
Another elliptical companion galaxy to M31, lying on the opposite side of the core as M32. Through a telescope look for a large, oval patch of light. Although M110 is as bright as M32 it is much larger and thus has a lower surface brightness making it a difficult object in light polluted skies. M110 is a very difficult binocular object requiring dark transparent skies, and trained eyes to have a chance at finding it.
Right Ascension: 00h 40.4m Declination: 41° 41m Magnitude: 10
What Others Are Saying
Lonewolf
Posted on Thursday 7th August 2008 at 5:54pm
Author
Valerie,
You need to be looking out late at night on the 12th and early hours of the 13th of August.
valerie
Posted on Wednesday 6th August 2008 at 5:24pm
Comment
can you please tell me the best time to see the perseids from portugal? i’m confused about the date. thank you.
bob carton
Posted on Saturday 3rd March 2007 at 8:02pm
Comment
your site was very helpful in giving us the time for the lunar eclipse on 3/3
