So you have a telescope. Now you’re probably wondering what to look at with a telescope. The night sky is full of amazing sights, from our own Moon to distant galaxies. This guide will help you find the best targets for any size of telescope and give you the tips you need to see them clearly.
What To Look At With A Telescope
Let’s break down the best celestial objects you can find. We’ll start with easy targets and work our way to more challenging ones. Remember, what you can see depends on your telescope’s size, your location’s darkness, and the weather conditions.
The Moon: Your First and Best Target
The Moon is the perfect first target. It’s bright, easy to find, and full of incredible detail. You can observe it any night it’s visible, except during the “new moon” phase.
- Craters: Look along the line between light and shadow (the terminator). Here, shadows are long, making craters like Tycho and Copernicus stand out dramatically.
- Maria (Seas): These are the dark, smooth plains. They are ancient lava flows. The Sea of Tranquility is where Apollo 11 landed.
- Mountains: Search for mountain ranges like the Apennines, which cast long, jagged shadows.
Even a small telescope will show you 100s of craters. A Moon map can help you identify the major features.
The Planets: Our Wandering Neighbors
Planets are amoung the most rewarding targets. They move against the background stars, so you’ll need an app or chart to know where they are. Not all planets are visible every night.
- Jupiter: Look for its four large moons (Io, Europa, Ganymede, Callisto) changing positions each night. You should also see its cloud bands, the Great Red Spot is a giant storm.
- Saturn: The rings are breathtaking. With a decent telescope, you might see the gap between the rings and the planet (the Cassini Division).
- Mars: Best viewed when it’s close to Earth. Look for its polar ice caps and dark surface markings. It can be a small, challenging disk.
- Venus: Shows phases like the Moon. It’s very bright but shrouded in thick clouds, so no surface detail is visible.
Stars Beyond Points of Light
Stars will always look like points of light, but there’s still alot to see.
- Double Stars: Pairs of stars orbiting each other. Albireo in Cygnus is a beautiful colored double—one gold, one blue.
- Variable Stars: Stars that change brightness over time. Observing them can contribute to real science.
Deep-Sky Objects: Faint Fuzzies
These are objects outside our solar system. They require darker skies and some patience. Start with these brighter ones.
Star Clusters
- Open Clusters: Loose groups of young stars. The Pleiades (M45) and the Beehive Cluster (M44) are stunning in binoculars or a telescope with a wide view.
- Globular Clusters: Dense balls of millions of ancient stars. Hercules Cluster (M13) looks like a fuzzy ball in small scopes; larger apertures resolve it into countless stars.
Nebulae: Cosmic Clouds
- Emission Nebulae: Glowing clouds of gas. The Orion Nebula (M42) is the brightest and best. You can see its wispy structure and the Trapezium star cluster at its heart.
- Planetary Nebulae: The glowing shells of dying stars. The Ring Nebula (M57) looks like a small, smoky donut. The Dumbbell Nebula (M27) is another excellent target.
Galaxies: Island Universes
These are the most distant and challenging objects. You need very dark skies.
- Andromeda Galaxy (M31): The closest major galaxy to us. It will appear as a large, faint oval smudge of light. Its satellite galaxies might also be visible.
- Whirlpool Galaxy (M51): Famous for its spiral structure, which can be glimpsed with larger telescopes under good conditions.
How to Find These Objects: A Step-by-Step Guide
Knowing what to look for is half the battle. Here’s how to actually find them.
Step 1: Learn the Night Sky Basics
Start by learning a few major constellations. Orion, Ursa Major (the Big Dipper), and Cygnus are great starting points. They act as signposts to other objects.
Step 2: Use a Star Chart or App
A planisphere (star wheel) or a smartphone app like Stellarium or SkySafari is essential. They show you what’s up in your sky at any given time and date.
Step 3: Start with “Star Hopping”
- Find a bright star or constellation you recognize near your target.
- Use your finderscope (the small scope on the side of your main telescope) to move from that star to a pattern of fainter stars.
- Follow this “path” until you reach the area where your target should be.
- Look through your main telescope’s low-power eyepiece. The object will often appear as a faint smudge or cluster.
Step 4: Use the Right Eyepiece
- Low Power (e.g., 25mm-32mm): Use this first. It gives a wide, bright view, making it easier to find objects and see large ones like star clusters.
- Medium/High Power (e.g., 10mm-5mm): Use this to zoom in on planets or the Moon once you’ve found them. High power makes the image dimmer and shakier, so it’s not good for finding things.
Essential Tips for Better Viewing
Follow these tips to make your observing sessions more succesful.
- Let Your Eyes Adapt: Sit in total darkness for at least 20 minutes. This lets your eyes become sensitive to faint light.
- Use Averted Vision: Look slightly to the side of a faint object. The edge of your retina is more sensitive to low light.
- Wait for Good “Seeing”: “Seeing” is the steadiness of the air. On nights when stars twinkle fiercely, planetary views will be blurry. Calm nights offer sharper views.
- Get Away from Lights: Even driving a short distance from city lights makes a huge difference for deep-sky objects.
- Keep a Log: Write down what you see, the date, time, and equipment used. It’s rewarding to track your progress.
Seasonal Observing Guide
Different objects are visible at different times of the year. Here’s a quick seasonal rundown.
Winter
Winter offers the brightest collection of stars and deep-sky objects. Orion is the centerpiece.
- Highlights: Orion Nebula (M42), Pleiades (M45), Aldebaran (star), Sirius (brightest star).
- Planets: Jupiter and Saturn are often visible in the evening or morning sky.
Spring
Galaxy season! The sky away from the Milky Way’s plane offers clearer views of distant galaxies.
- Highlights: Beehive Cluster (M44), Leo Triplet galaxies, Virgo Cluster of galaxies.
- Planets: Mars and Saturn can be well placed.
Summer
The Milky Way arches across the sky, rich with star clusters and nebulae.
- Highlights: Hercules Cluster (M13), Ring Nebula (M57), Lagoon Nebula (M8).
- Planets: Jupiter is often prominent, and Venus can be a bright “evening star.”
Fall
Return to more galaxies and the bright core of our own Milky Way in the evening.
- Highlights: Andromeda Galaxy (M31), Pleiades returns, Albireo (double star).
- Planets: Uranus and Neptune can be tracked down with charts.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Everyone makes mistakes when starting out. Here’s how to avoid the common ones.
- Using Too Much Magnification: Start low, then go high. High power is not always better.
- Not Aligning the Finderscope: Do this in daylight. Point your main telescope at a distant object, then adjust the finderscope screws until it points at the exact same thing.
- Rushing: Spend time at the eyepiece. The longer you look, the more detail you will see.
- Observing Over a Roof or Driveway: Heat rising from buildings and pavement creates bad “seeing.” Observe over grass if possible.
Equipment: What You Really Need
You don’t need the most expensive gear to start. Focus on these essentials.
- A Stable Tripod/Mount: Wobbly mounts ruin the view. Stability is more important than aperture sometimes.
- A Few Good Eyepieces: A low-power (e.g., 25mm) and a medium-power (e.g., 10mm) eyepiece are a great start.
- A Red Flashlight: Preserves your night vision. You can cover a normal flashlight with red cellophane.
- Star Maps/Apps: Your guide to the sky.
Taking the Next Step
Once you’re comfortable, you can try more advanced activities.
- Astrophotography: Start simple by holding your smartphone to the eyepiece for shots of the Moon.
- Lunar & Solar Eclipses: These are spectacular events. Warning: Never look at the Sun without a proper, certified solar filter on the front of your telescope.
- Join a Club: Local astronomy clubs offer advice, star parties, and a chance to look through different telescopes.
The universe is waiting for you. With a little knowledge and patience, your telescope will reveal wonders you never knew existed. Start with the Moon tonight, and you’ll be on your way. The most important thing is to get outside and look up.
FAQ
What can I see with a beginner telescope?
You can see the Moon’s craters, Jupiter’s moons and bands, Saturn’s rings, bright star clusters like the Pleiades, and the Orion Nebula. These are all excellent first targets.
What are the best things to look at through a telescope?
The best targets are often the brightest and easiest: The Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, and the Orion Nebula (M42). They offer the most detail and are relatively simple to find.
How do I find planets with my telescope?
Use a star app to see which planets are currently visible and where they are in the sky. They look like very bright, non-twinkling “stars.” Jupiter and Saturn are usually the most obvious.
Why can’t I see anything through my telescope?
First, check that all lens caps are off. Then, practice aligning your finderscope in daylight. Always start with your lowest-power (longest focal length) eyepiece. Make sure your telescope is focused by turning the focus knob slowly.
What can you look at with a telescope during the day?
You can observe terrestrial targets like birds, landscapes, or ships—but never point it at or near the Sun without a proper solar filter. Also, daytime heat haze often makes for poor viewing.