We are happy to introduce the Bright S*T*A*R 100 Observing Program! This program is designed for light polluted areas. Most of the objects are brighter than 9th magnitude, and therefore you can conduct some if not all of the project right from your own backyard! Many of the objects can even be observed using binoculars. We have included old favorites as well as some from more obscure catalogs. We hope these more obscure ones will help hone your star-hopping skills!
HOW TO CONDUCT YOUR OBSERVATIONS
Log your observations. You can print out the Bright S*T*A*R 100 Table, below. On it find a place for logging the date of the observation, and also a place for observation notes, if desired.
Use any star charts, planetarium software, filters, etc. you like to find the objects.
Not allowed are setting circles, digital or otherwise.
No time limits on your observations. This list covers nearly every Northern hemisphere constellation; therefore, at least three seasons of observing are necessary (two and a half if you are a hyer-observer!)
When your list is complete, please turn it into a club officer. At the next meeting thereafter, you will be presented with a lovely, frameable certificate. Or, you can also use it to patch that nasty little breeze in your basement.
More than anything, HAVE FUN. This is the very most important rule. People who insist on NOT having fun will be disqualified:) Good luck and happy observing!
And now, onto...
BRIGHT S*T*A*R 100 OBSERVING CERTIFICATE PROGRAM
TABLE OF OBJECTS |
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CATALOG # | COMMON NAME | CONSTELLATION | OBJECT TYPE | DATE/ NOTES | |||
1 | NGC 7009 | Saturn Nebula | Aquarius | planetary nebula | - | ||
2 | NGC 7293 | Helix Nebula | Aquarius | planetary nebula | - | ||
3 | NGC 6709 | ------------ | Aquila | open cluster | - | ||
4 | M31 | Andromeda Galaxy | Andromeda | spiral galaxy | - | ||
5 | M32 | ---------- | Andromeda | galaxy | - | ||
6 | NGC 891 | ---------- | Andromeda | edge-on galaxy | - | ||
7 | NGC 7662 | Blue Snowball | Andromeda | planetary nebula | - | ||
8 | NGC 752 | ---------- | Andromeda | open cluster | - | ||
9 | M2 | ---------- | Aquarius | globular cluster | - | ||
10 | M36 | ---------- | Auriga | open cluster | - | ||
11 | M37 | ---------- | Auriga | open cluster | - | ||
12 | NGC 1907 | ---------- | Auriga | open cluster | - | ||
13 | M38 | --------- | Auriga | open cluster | - | ||
14 | NCG 2403 | ---------- | Camelopardalis | face on galaxy | - | ||
15 | M3 | ---------- | Canes Venatici | globular cluster | - | ||
16 | M63 | Sunflower Galaxy | Canes Venaciti | galaxy | - | ||
17 | M51 | Whirlpool Galaxy | Canes Venaciti | face on galaxy | - | ||
18 | M106 | ---------- | Canes Venaciti | galaxy | - | ||
19 | NGC 2362 | Tau Canis Major Cluster/Mexican Jumping Star | Canis Major | open cluser | - | ||
20 | M41 | ---------- | Canis Major | open cluster | - | ||
21 | NGC 2363 | ---------- | Canis Major | open cluster | - | ||
22 | NGC 457 | Owl Cluster | Cassiopeia | open cluster | - | ||
23 | NCG 6939 | ---------- | Cepheus | open cluster | - | ||
24 | NGC 4565 | Needle Galaxy | Coma Berenices | edge-on spiral galaxy | - | ||
25 | Melotte 111 | Coma Star Cluster | Coma Berenices | large open cluster | - | ||
26 | M64 | Black Eye Galaxy | Coma Berenices | galaxy | - | ||
27 |
Beta Cygni | Albireo | Cygnus | double star | - | ||
28 | NGC 6826 | Blinking Nebula | Cygnus | planetary nebula | - | ||
29 | NGC 7000 | North American Nebula | Cygnus | nebula | - | ||
30 | NGC 6934 | ---------- | Delphinus | globular cluster | - | ||
31 | Nu Draconis |
---------- |
Draco | double star | - | ||
32 | NGC 2392 | Eskimo Nebula | Gemini | planetary nebula | - | ||
33 | M13 | Great Hercules Cluster | Hercules | globular cluster | - | ||
34 | M92 | ---------- | Hercules | globular cluster | - | ||
35 | NCG 6210 | ---------- | Hercules | planetary nebula | - | ||
36 | NGC 3242 | Ghost of Jupiter | Hydra | planetary nebula | - | ||
37 | NGC 7243 | ---------- | Lacerta | open cluster | - | ||
38 | Gamma Leo | Algebia | Leo | double star | - | ||
39 | NCG 2903 | ---------- | Leo | face on spiral galaxy | - | ||
40 | M65 | ---------- | Leo | galaxy | - | ||
41 | NCG 2903 | ---------- | Leo | face on spiral galaxy | - | ||
42 | M57 | Ring Nebula | Lyra | planetary nebula | - | ||
43 | Epsilon Lyrae | Double Double | Lyra | multiple star | - | ||
44 | M56 | ---------- | Lyra | globular cluster | - | ||
45 | NCG 2244 | Rosette Cluster | Monoceros | open cluster | - | ||
46 | NGC 2264 | Christmas Tree Cluster/Cone Neb | Monoceros | open cluster/nebula | - | ||
47 | M50 | ----------- | Monoceros | open cluster | - | ||
48 | Mercury | Mercury | various | planet | - | ||
49 | Neptune | Neptune | various | planet | - | ||
50 | NGC 1981 | ---------- | Orion | open cluster | - | ||
51 | Theta 1 Ori | Trapezium | Orion | mulitple star | - | ||
52 | M42 | Orion Nebula | Orion | diffuse nebula | - | ||
53 | M78 | -------- | Orion | reflection nebula | - | ||
54 | IC4665 | -------- | Ophiuchus | open cluster | - | ||
55 | M10 | -------- | Ophiuchus | globular cluster | - | ||
56 | M12 | -------- | Ophiuchus | globular cluster | - | ||
57 | M15 | -------- | Pegasus | globular cluster | - | ||
58 | Mel 20 | Alpha-Persei Association | Perseus | open cluster | - | ||
59 | NGC 884 | Double Cluster | Perseus | open cluster | - | ||
60 | NGC 869 | Double Cluster | Perseus | open cluster | - | ||
61 | NGC 246 | ---------- | Pisces | planetary nebula | - | ||
62 | M47 | ---------- | Puppis | open cluster | - | ||
63 | M46 | ---------- | Puppis | open cluster | - | ||
64 | NGC 2438 | ---------- | Puppis | plan neb. superimposed on M46 | - | ||
65 | M71 | ---------- | Sagitta | globular cluster | - | ||
66 | M23 | ---------- | Sagittarius | open cluster | - | ||
67 | M16 | Eagle Nebula | Sagittarius | nebula | - | ||
68 | M22 | ----------- | Sagittarius | globular cluster | - | ||
69 | M20 | Trifid Nebula | Sagittarius | diffuse nebula | - | ||
70 | M17 | Swan or Omega Nebula | Sagittarius | diffuse nebula | - | ||
71 | M8 | Lagoon Nebula | Sagittarius | diffuse nebula | - | ||
72 | Graffias | Scorpius | Scorpius | multiple star | - | ||
73 | M4 | ---------- | Scorpius | globular cluster | - | ||
74 | M6 | Butterfly Cluster | Scorpius | open cluster | - | ||
75 | M7 | ---------- | Scorpius | open cluster | - | ||
76 | NGC 253 | Sculptor Galaxy | Sculptor | galaxy | - | ||
77 | NGC 55 | ---------- | Sculptor | galaxy | - | ||
78 | M26 | ---------- | Scutum | open cluster | - | ||
79 | M11 | Wild Duck Cluster | Scutum | open cluster | - | ||
80 | NGC 6712 | --------- | Scutum | planetary nebula | - | ||
81 | M5 | -------------- | Serpens | globular cluster | - | ||
82 | IC4756 | ---------- | Serpens | open cluster | - | ||
83 | Delta Serpens | ------------ | Serpens | double star | - | ||
84 | NGC 3115 | Spindle Galaxy | Sextens | edge on galaxy | - | ||
85 | NGC 1435 | Merope Nebula | Taurus | reflection nebula | - | ||
86 | Melotte 25 | Hyades | Taurus | open cluster | - | ||
87 | M1 | Crab Nebula | Taurus | supernova remnant | - | ||
88 | M33 | Triangulum Galaxy | Triangulum | face on galaxy | - | ||
89 | Alpha Ursae Minor | Polaris | Ursa Minor | double star | - | ||
90 | Zeta Ursa Majoris | Horse and Rider | Ursa Major | multiple star | - | ||
91 | M81 | -------------- | Ursa Major | galaxy | - | ||
92 | M82 | -------------- | Ursa Major | galaxy | - | ||
93 | Uranus | Uranus | various | planet | - | ||
94 | M86 | ---------- | Virgo | galaxy | - | ||
95 | M49 | ---------- | Virgo | galaxy | - | ||
96 | M87 | ---------- | Virgo | galaxy | - | ||
97 | M104 | Sombrero Galaxy | Virgo | edge on galaxy | - | ||
98 | NGC 6940 | ---------- | Vulpecula | open cluster | - | ||
99 | Cr 399 | The Coathanger | Vulpecula | asterism | - | ||
100 | M27 | Dumbell Nebula | Vulpecula | planetary nebula | - |