Deep Sky Observations with Vespera Pro From February 2025 on

Conditions | Observation Overview | List of Observed Sky Objects | References

in progress

Since the beginning of May 2024, I own a Vaonis Vespera Pro telescope for observing and taking photos of deep sky objects. On this page, I collect information about observations beginning with February 2025. The photos that were taken during this phase are presented elsewhere (on the detail pages for the DSO).

Conditions

Sky Region and Objects

From February 2025 on, I observed mostly the following sky area (some observed objects are indicated):

Click the map for a larger version - it opens in a new window (Image Courtesy of SkySafari Astronomy, www.simulationcurriculum.com)

Observation Time

The observations in this phase took place between May and July 2024 on. They typically took place shortly after dusk, when it was sufficiently dark for a successful initialization of the Vespera Pro. In May, this was typically after 10 p.m., later even after 10:30 p.m.. At the end of June, beginning of July the observations started around midnight!

Observation Location

The observations took place in Mühlhausen/Kraichgau (Germany):

Coordinates: 49° 15′ N , 8° 43′ E
Coordinates (dec.): 49,25° N, 8,72° E

Two observation sessions took place in Erkerode near Braunschweig (Germany):

52° 12' 27.2" N 10° 42' 52.9" E
52.207556° N, 10.714696° E

Equipment Used

When observing with the Vespera Pro, I only needed the Vespera Pro and my iPhone or iPad. Sometimes, I used the Gitzo Systematic High Tripod that I had acquired for my Vespera (Pro). Moreover, I purchased filters for the Vespera (Pro) that I did not use during these observations.

General Conditions

In general, the sky above Mühlhausen/Kraichgau is "light-polluted" (SQM 20.5) and does not invite you to search for deep sky objects. For astro photography, however, light pollution is not as disturbing as for visual observations.

Observation Overview

Observation Dates

Date 2025	Observed Objects	Observed Objects, Details	Remarks	Further Remarks
Feb 1 MH	Moon	Crescent of the moon (waxing)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Live images, small crescent, 14 photos
Feb 1 MH	DN: B 33 GN: M 42/43, M 78, NGC 2024	Order: M 42/43 (20 min), B33/NGC 2024 (47 min), M 78 (30 min)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Observed both objects with and without calibration frames (Masterdark); M 78 with Masterdark (I will always do this from nowon and will not mention it any further) M 42 (20 min rec.): Start 7:25/19.8, with Masterdark, for 20min IT M 42 (20 min rec.): Start 8:00/19.8, without masterdark for 20 min IT B33/NGC 2024 (60 min rec.) Start 8:36/19.9, without master for 45 min IZ; aborted after 14 min B33/NGC 2024 (60 min rec.): Start 9:00/19.93, without master for 45 min IT; 47 min were... B33/NGC 2024 (60 min rec.): Start 10:18/20.02, with master dark for 45 min IT M 78 (30 min rec.): Start 11:00/20?, went to bed around 23:45 (30 min IT), telescope ran 2:08h IT until battery was at 5% and it shut down; M 78 became increasingly fainter, probably "landed" in walnut tree...
Feb 2 MH	Moon	Crescent of the moon (waxing)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Live images; crescent a little bit wider, 8 photos
Feb 2 MH	DN: NGC 2264 GN: M 78, NGC 2237-39/46, NGC 2264 OS: NGC 2244, NGC 2264	Order: M 78 (60 min), NGC 2244 (60 min), NGC 2264 (2:25 h)	Vespera Pro; partly with DB Filter; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	M 78 (30 min rec.): Start 7:05/19.64, 39 min/19.82; ran 60 min IT, until 8:38 NGC 2244 (Rosette Nebula; 30 min rec.): With DB filter, start 20:50/19.85 to 22:30, 1h IT NGC 2264 (Christmas Tree Cluster/Cone Nebula; 120 min rec.): With DB filter, start 22:34/20.0; 0:08 to bed after a little more than 1h IT; left VPro outside; abort at 2:20 a.m. after 2:25:20 IT with good result (battery depleted)
Feb 4 MH	Moon	Nearly half moon	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	One day before half moon, 10 photos
Feb 4 MH	G: M 31 GN: IC 443, NGC 2174 OC: M 34, M 35, M 36, M 37, M 38, M 44, NGC 2158	Order: M 31 (60 min), M 34 (20 min), NGC 2174 (60 min), IC 443 (60 min), M 35 (10 min; with NGC 2158, M 37 (7 min), M 36 (10 min), M 38 (10 min), M 44 (39 min)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	M 31 (30 min rec.): Start 6:38/18,4; 60 min IT up to 8:05 M 34 (30 min rec.): Start 8:10/19; 20 min IT bis 20:38 NGC 2174 (Monkey Head Nebula; 60 min rec.): Start 8:40/19,2; up to 10:17, 60 min IT IC 443 (Jellyfish Nebula; 60 min rec.): Start 10:19/19,5; up to 11:50, 60 min IT M 35 with NGC 2158 (30 min rec.): Start 11:52/19,8; up to 0:07, 10 min IT M 37 (30 min rec.): Start 0:08, too lazy for SQM...; up to 0:18, 7 min IT M 36 (30 min rec.): Start 0:20; up to 0:34, 10 min IT M 38 (30 min rec.): Start 0:35; up to about 0:50, 10 min IT M 44 (30 min rec.): Start: 0:57; then went to bed; abort at 1:54 a.m. after 39:10 min IT
Feb 7 MH	Moon	More than half moon	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	More than half moon
Feb 7 MH	GN: NGC 147, NGC 185 OC: M 41	Order: M 41 (30 min); NGC 185/147 (1 h)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	M 41 (30 min rec.): Start 8:15/14-17 (SQM not measureable because of the halfmoon); does not get brighter...; stopped after 30 min IT NGC 185/147 (90 min rec.): Start abou 9:00/16-17 (SQM dito not measureable), stopped after 1h IT because of fog, the image did not get brighter... NGC 404 (Mirach's Ghost, 180 min rec.): aborted immediately (10:30 p.m.)
Feb 4 MH	Moon	Moon with Golden Handle	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Moon with Golden Handle, several attempts, many photos...
Feb 4 MH	G: M 74 GN: NGC 147, NGC 185 OC: M 45	Order: M 74 (1 h); NGC 185/147 (1 h); M 45 (1 h)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	M 74 (30 min rec.): Start 7:02/17.5; 8:07/17,3; stopped at 8:32 after 1 h IT NGC 185 (with NGC 147; 90 min rec. for both): Start 8:35/16,6???; stopped after a little more than 1 h IT at 10:05 p.m. M 45 (30 min rec.): Start 10:07/15,5???; stopped after 66 min IZ at 11:43 p.m., too foggy...
Feb 17 Erk	GN: IC 405 OC: M 45	Order: M 45 (30 min); IC 405 (30 min)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	M 45 (30 min rec.): Start about 10:30; stopped at 11:16 after 30 min IT IC 405 (60 min rec.): DB Filter, Start at 11:18; stopped at 00:09 Uhr after 30 min IT
Feb 18 Erk	GN: IC 410, M 42, M 78 SR: M 1	Order: IC 410 (40 min), M 42 (20 min), M 1 (30 min), M 78 (30 min)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (not extended); iPad	Initialization with DB filter failed twice; I then removed the filter, which was frozen. After that the initialization worked, and the observation started... IC 405 (60 min rec.): Start at 8:27; canceled because already done yesterday (was just to test if it worked...) IC 410 (90 min rec.): Start at 8:34; terminated after 40 min IT around 9:40 p.m. IC 1805 (120 min rec.): Start at 9:45; canceled (probably not far enough around the corner yet...) M 42 (20 min rec.): Start at just over 9:50; end after a little more than 20 min IT around 10:22 p.m. M 1 (30 min rec.): Start at 10:24; end after 30 min IT at 11:09 p.m. M 78 (30 min rec.): Start at 11:11; end after 30 min IT at 11:56 p.m.
Feb 19 Erk	GN: IC 417, NGC 1931 G: M 95, M 96, M 105, NGC 2403 PN: NGC 2392 OC: M 67	Order: IC 417/NGC 1931 (30 min), NGC 2403 (30 min), NGC 2392 (10 min), M 67 (10 min), M 95/96/105 (30 min)	Vespera Pro; Gitzo High Tripod (not extended); iPad	Initialization at about 7:30 p.m. without filter, worked out... IC 405 would not work with DB Filter; removed the filter, then it worked (but I aborted it, because I had already observed it without filter the day before) IC 417/NGC 1931 (60 min rec.?): Start at about 7:45; end after 30 min IT at 8:38 p.m. NGC 2403 (60 min rec.): Start at 8:41; end after 30 min IT at 9:36 p.m. NGC 663/M103 (45 min rec. for NGC 663): Mosaic, start at 9:40; aborted, VPro hit our car... IC 1805 (120 min rec.): Mosaic (2.7°x2.7°), start at 21:46; aborted because light came in at about 10:30 p.m. NGC 2392 (60 min rec.): Start at 10:38; stopped after 10 min IZ at 10:57 p.m., because it was too small... M 67 (30 min rec.): Start at 10:58; end after 10 min IT at 11:13 p.m. M 105 (30 min rec.; with M 95, 96, ...): Start at 11:16; ende at 00:01 after 30 min IT
Feb 23 Erk	GN: NGC 2174, Sh2-274	Order: NGC 2174 (30 min), Sh2-274 (1:47 h)	Vespera Pro; DB Filter; Gitzo High Tripod (not extended); iPad	Initialization at about 7:00 p.m. without filter, worked out... NGC 2174 (Monkey Head Nebula; 60 min rec.): DB Filter; start at 7:05; end after 30 min IT at 8:00 p.m. Medusa Nebula (Sh2-274; man. target): DB Filter; start at 8:10; end after 1:47 min IT (failed) at 11:14/21 p.m. (14 = final JPG; 21 = TIFF)
Feb 26 MH	GN: M 43, NGC 1977 PN: NGC 2438 OC: M 46, M 47, M 48, NGC 2425, NGC 2423 SR: M 1	Order: NGC 1981 (NGC 1977, M 42; 20 min), M 46/47 (NGC 2425, NGC 2423, NGC 2438; 35:40 min), M 48 (10 min), M 1	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Initialization at 8:50 p.m. without filter, worked out... Stars flickered... Dew shield attached after initialization. NGC 1981 (Coal Car Cluster): Start at about 9:00; aborted at 9:15 after 10 min IT, because the VP was not yet colled down (I knew that beforehand...) NGC 1981 (Coal Car Cluster): Start at 9:18; SQM 20 at about 9:30; end at 9:46 p.m. after 20 min IT M 46/47 (30 min rec.): quickly aborted because M 46/47 together did not fit the FOV. M 46/47 (30 min rec.): Mosaic; start at 9:54/20.0; one turn, stopped at 11:55 p.m. after 35:40 min IT M 48 (30 min rec.): Start at 10:56; end at about 11:10 p.m. after 10 min IT (SQM 20.2) M 1 (30 min rec.): Start at 11:14/20.25; end at 11:44 p.m. after 20 min IT (sky background became too bright...)
Feb 27 MH	GN: IC 405 P: Venus	Order: Venus (LiveView), IC 405 (23 min)	Vespera Pro; partly dew cap, Bahtinov mask, and DB Filter; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Initialization at 7:15 Uhr p.m. without filter, worked out... Venus: Start (Live View) start at 7:21, until 7:25 p.m., Bahtinov mask attached, did not work correctly... IC 405 (60 min rec.): DB Filter; start at 7:30; SQM 19,64 at 79:45; end after 23 min IT at 8:04 p.m.
Mar 2 MH	Moon	Crescent of the moon (two days after new moon)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Crescent of the moon, photos somewhat washed out, 23 images (around 7:05 p.m.)
Mar 2 MH	GN: M 42/43, M 78, IC 1805, IC 1848	Order: IC 1805 (77 min), IC 1848 (39 min), IC 1805 (13 min), M 42/43 (3 times, each about 10 min), M 78 (20 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap, partly DB Filter; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Initialization at 7 p.m. without filter, worked out... IC 1805 (120 min rec.): DB Filter; mosaic 2.4 x 2.4°; start at 7:12/18.7; 7:30/19.6; end after 1:17 h IT at 9:05 after 1.5 rounds >> noisy and pale as already reported by other VPro users after the last update. IC 1848 (120 min rec.): DB Filter; mosaic 2.4 x 2.4°; start at 9:08/19.95; stopped at 10:03 after about 1 round (39 min; found notice: deavtivate BalENS) IC 1805 (120 min rec.): DB Filter, BalENS off; mosaic 2.4 x 2.4°; start at 10:05/20.0; aborted after about 13 min IT at 10:25 (found no effekt of the deactivation)...) >> Mosaic has sharp edges (with BalENS, it has soft ones); otherwise, I did not see much difference, was also noisy... M 42/43 (20 min rec. as a "test case"): DB-Filter; start at 10:28; aborted after 10 min IT at 10:45, hit trees and showed stars with spikes... M 42/43 (20 min rec. as a "test case"): Start at 10:45; BalENS not activates in error; stopped after 10 min IT at 11:10; similarly dark as with BalENS... M 42/43 (20 min rec. as a "test case"): BalENS on; start at 11:13; image much darker as with filter and Trapezium less washed out - probably special treatment for M 42... aborted after about 12 min IT because probaly in a tree/house M 78 (30 min rec.?): Start at 11:33, very noisy; end after 20 min IT at 0:03
Mar 4 MH	Moon	Thicker crescent of the moon (four days after new moon)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Crescent of the moon, photos somewhat washed out, 21 images (around 7:05 p.m.)
Mar 4 MH	GN: IC 405, IC 410, IC 443, IC 1848	Order: IC IC 1848 (1:23 h), IC 405 (30 min), IC 410 (30 min), IC 443 (30 min),	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Initialization at 7 p.m./16.8 without filter, worked out... IC 1848 (120 min rec.): DB Filter; mosaic 2,4x2,4°; start at 7:20/18.6; 7:30/19.2; 8:10/19.45; end after 1:23 h IT at 9:24 after 1.5 rounds >> noisy and pale as already reported by other VP users after the last update... IC 405 (60 min rec.): DB Filter; start at 9:28/19.8; end at 10:12 after 30 min IT IC 410 (90 min rec.): DB Filter; start at 10:16/19.9; end at 23:03 after 30 min IT IC 443 (60 min rec.): DB Filter; start at 11:04; 11:05/20; at 11:50 after 30 min IT
Mar 5 MH	Moon	Close to half moon	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Close to half moon, photos somewhat washed out, 19 images (after 7:04 p.m.)
Mar 5 MH	OC: M 50, M 103, NGC 654, NGC 659, NGC 663 , NGC 2141 GC: NGC 2419 G: IC 342	Order: M 103/NGC 663/654/659 (25 min), M 50 (30 min), NGC 2141 (30 min), NGC 2419 (30 min), IC 342 (33:40 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Initialization at 7 p.m. without filter, dew cap attached in the process, worked out... M 103/NGC 663/654/659 (30 min rec.): Mosaic 2.4°x2.4°; start at 7:14/18.0; end after 1 round at 7:52 after about 25 min IT M 50 (30 min rec.): Start at 7:54/19.0; end after 30 min IT at 8:41 NGC 2141 (60 min rec.): Start at 8:44; 9:00/19.4; end after 30 min IT at 21:27 NGC 2419 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:31/19.4; end at 10:17 after 30 min IT IC 342 (120 min rec.): Start at 10:20; end at 11:08 after 33:40 min IT, probably hit our house...
Mar 6 MH	Moon	Half moon	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Half moon, photos somewhat washed out, 19 images (after 7:04 p.m.)
Mar 6 MH	OC: NGC 2244, NGC 2264 GN: NGC 2237-39/4 G: IC 342	Order:: IC 342 (60 min), NGC 2244 (1:02 h), NGC 2264 (47 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Initialization at 7 p.m. without filter, dew cap attached in the process, worked out... IC 342 (120 min rec.): Start at 7:10/16.5...16.9; end at 8:42/18.5 after 60 min IT FITS activated, BalENS on NGC 2244 (30 min rec.): DB Filter; FITS; Start at 8:43/18.5; 9:00/18.4; end at 10:16 after 1:02 IT NGC 2264 (120 min rec.) DB Filter; FITS; Start at 10:18; end at 11:36 after 47 min IT
Mar 8 MH	Moon	One day after half moon	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	One day after half moon, photos somewhat washed out, 24 images (after 7:12 p.m.)
Mar 8 MH	Sun		Vespera Pro; sun filter; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Observed the sun, relatively few sun spots
Mar 8 MH	OC: NGC 2244 GN: NGC 2237-39/4 G: M 65, M 66, NGC 3628	Order: NGC 2244 (1 h), NGC 1499 (1:40 h), M 65/66/NGC 3628 (6 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Initialization at 7 p.m. without filter,worked out... FITS activated, BalENS off, new Masterdarks created NGC 2244 (30 min rec.): DB Filter; FITS BalENS off; start at 7:16; aborted, because not filter and dew cap... Sirius: About 7:20...22 with Bahtinov mask, looked good! Aborted soon NGC 2244 (30 min rec.): DB Filter, FITS, BalENS off; start at 7:25/16.4; end at 9:20 after 1 h IT NGC 1499 (60 min rec.): Mosaic, DB Filter, FITS, BalENS off; start at 9:14; ent at 11:44 after 1:40 h IT; did not go any further (clouds?) M 65/66/NGC 3628 (30 min rec.): FITS, BalENS off; start at 0:03; fuzzy (despite dynamic AF in between), aborted at about 00:10 after nearly 6 min IT
Mar 9 MH	Moon	Golden Handle (after 9:30 p.m.)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod; iPad	Golden Handle (after 9:30 p.m.), photos somewhat washed out, several attempts until the sky became "hazy"...
Mar 16 MH	GN: Sh2-261 Jupiter	Order: Jupiter, Sh2-261 (3 h)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Initialization at 7:12 p.m./SQM 15.7 without filter,worked out... Jupiter: Start 7:20 p.m., first attempt out of focus, stripes not visible, moons practically invisible (sometimes very faint). 7:22 p.m.: Autofocus restarted, second attempt at Jupiter at 7:25, no better either... Sh2-261 (manual coordinates according to Stellarium, gain set to 27 db): With DB filter; BalENS off; start at 7:32/18.2; 8:02/19.8 after 20 min IT; 9:06/19.87 after 60 min IT; it got humid; 10:07/19.26; sky seemed to be a bit hazy...; stop at 0:15 a.m. after 3 h IT
Mar 17 MH	GN: IC 2118, IC 2177	Order: IC 2118 (75/85 min), IC 2177 (97.5/90 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (fully extended); iPad	Initialization at 7:12 p.m. did not succeed, still too bright... with dew cap >> dew cap fell to the ground because the arm was closed. Initialization at 7:18/15.6...16.3 Uhr/SQM worked... dew cap attached Gitzo tripod fully extended, because Rigel was fairly low at the sky... IC 2118/NGC 1909 (3 h rec..): No filter, BalENS on again, mosaic (2.4° x 2.4°); start at 7:26/17.3; 9:10/19.9; aborted after 85 min IT at 9:30 because light came into the photo... "Usable" until 75 min IT (but no nebula to see...) IC 2177 (60 min rec.): DB Filter; newly initialized (dew cap fell down again); start at 9:43/19.95; Stopped at 0:16 after 97.5 min IT, became worse after 1 h, photo from 90 min...
Mar 18 MH	Sun		Vespera Pro; sun filter; Gitzo High Tripod (one step higher); iPad	Observed the sun, relatively few sun spots
Mar 18 MH	GN: M 78, NGC 2261, NGC 2264 OS: M 45, NGC 2264	Order: NGC 2261 with NGC 2264 (60 min), M 45 (40 min), M 78 (61 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (fully extended); iPad	Initialization at 7:20/16.3 p.m./SQM, worked ... dew cap attached during initialization Gitzo tripod fully extended NGC 2261 (60 min rec.) with NGC 2264 (120 min rec.): without filte as a test; start at 7:28/18.0; 8:36/19.7; stopped at 9:02 p.m. after 1 h IT M 45 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:05/19.75; already low on the horizon; stopped at 10:02 p.m. after 40 min IT M 78 (30 min rec.): Start at 10:04/20.0; M 78 already low on the horizon; stopped at 11:37 p.m. after 61 min IT
Mar 19 MH	GN: NGC 2359 G: M 81, M 82, NGC 2903, NGC 3077	Order: NGC 2359 (61 min), NGC 2903 (40 min), M 81/82 (40 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (fully extended); iPad	Initialization at 7:25/16.5 p.m./SQM, worked ... dew cap and DB Filter attached during initialization Gitzo tripod fully extended NGC 2359 (30 min rec.): DB Filter; start at 7:32/17.5; 8:04/19.7; stopped at about 9:10-15 after 60 min IT (there were football lights illuminating the sky, where the nebula was located); the DB Filter max have saved the observation...) New initialization at 9:20 p.m., observation continued without filter. NGC 2903 (60 min rec.): no filter; start at 9:25/19.8; stopped at 10:30 p.m. after 40 min IT M 81/82 (30 min empf.): Start at 19:34/20.0; stopped at 11:40 p.m. after 40 min IT
Mar 20 MH	GN: NGC 2244, NGC 2359	Order: NGC 2359 (1:25 h), NGC 2244 (1:10 h)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (fully extended); iPad	Initialization at 7:43/18.8 p.m./SQM, worked ... dew cap and DB Filter attached after initialization; Gitzo tripod fully extended; BalENS OFF! NGC 2359 (30 min rec.): DB Filter; start at 8:50/19.2, football lights again!; 8:16/19.5; 10:00/19.85; stopped at 10:01 after 1:25 min IT NGC 2244 (30 min rec.): DB Filter; start at 10:13 (after refocusing); stopped at 11:56 p.m. after 1:10 IT
Mar 28 MH	G: M 51, M 101 DS: M 40	Order: M 51 (90 min), M 40 (10 min), M 101 (90 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod (fully extended); iPad	Initialization at 7:40 p.m., worked ... dew cap attached after initialization; Gitzo tripod fully extended; BalENS ON! M 51 (30 min rec.): Start at 7:44/17.2; restarted after about 4 min at 7:51/18,2 because of airplanes on the photo; 8:12/19.4 after 15 min IT; 8:36/19.6 after 32 min IT; 9:20/19.7 after 60 min IT; stopped at 10:00 after 90 min IT M 40 (30 min rec.): Start at 10:03/19.8; stopped at 10:18??? after 10 min IT M 101 (30 min rec.): Start at 10:20/19.8; 10:40/19.9 after 15 min IT; stopped at ??:?? after 90 min IT

Bold: First observation during this observation period; G = galaxy, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, GN = galactic nebula, PN = planetary nebula, SP = star pattern, DN = dark nebula, C = comet, SN = supernova, SR = supernova remnant; IT = integration time (net observation time)

List of Observed Sky Objects

Object details can be obtained via the links to the relevant deep sky objects.

DSO Details	Name	Constellation	Type	Remarks
B 33	Horse Head Nebula with NGC 2024	Orion	GN/DN	Together with NGC 2024; plus NGC 2023 close to B 33
IC 342	Hidden Galaxy	Camelopardis	G	Faint and fairly large
IC 405	Flaming Star Nebula	Auriga	GN	Reddish nebula; without and with filter (DB)
IC 410	Tadpole Nebula	Auriga	GN	Reddish nebula; without and with filter (DB)
IC 417	Spider Nebula, with NGC 1931	Auriga	GE	Emission nebula with embedded open star cluster; together with NGC 1931
IC 443	Jellyfish Nebula	Gemini	SR	Reddish nebula, supernova remnant; with DB filter
IC 1795	Fish Head Nebula	Cassiopeia	GN	The galactic nebulae IC 1795 (also named NGC 896; top right), IC 1805, and IC 1848 form a larger nebulosity region in the constellation Cassiopeia, not far away from the Perseus Double Cluster NGC 869/884. The Fish Head Nebula next to IC 1805 is the brightest region and was therefore discovered first.
IC 1805	Heart Nebula	Cassiopeia	GN/OC	The galactic nebulae IC 1805, IC 1848, and IC 1795 (also named NGC 896) form a larger nebulosity region in the constellation Cassiopeia, not far away from the Perseus Double Cluster NGC 869/884.
IC 1848	Soul Nebula	Cassiopeia	GN/OC	The galactic nebulae IC 1805, IC 1848, and IC 1795 (also named NGC 896) form a larger nebulosity region in the constellation Cassiopeia, not far away from the Perseus Double Cluster NGC 869/884.
IC 2118	Witch Head Nebula (NGC 1909)	Eridanus	GNR	Large and very faint reflection nebula
IC 2177	Sea Gull Nebula	Monoceros	GNE	Red emission nebula, extended, the wings do not fit (and Singularity does not show them...)
M 1	Crab Nebula	Taurus	GE/SR	Small, but nice; supernova remnant
M 31	Andromeda Galaxy	Andromeda	G	Together with M 32 and M 110 on a normal photo
M 32	Satellite of M 31	Andromeda	G	Satellite galaxy of M 31
M 34		Perseus	OC	Large and nice open star cluster, reminds me of M 41
M 35		Gemini	OC	Nice open star cluster, together with NGC 2158 and IC 2156/2157
M 36		Auriga	OC	Nice open star cluster, the smallest of M 36-38
M 37		Auriga	OC	Nice open star cluster, the densest of M 36-38
M 38	with NGC 1907	Auriga	OC	Nice open star cluster, the largest of M 36-38; with M 36 in a mosaic; NGC 1907 is nearby
M 40	Winnecke 4	Ursa Major	DS	Optical double star; nearby are some small galaxies
M 41		Canis Major	OC	Large and nice open star cluster, reminds me of M 34; not as dense as M 35-38; poor conditions
M 42/43	Orion Nebula, De Mairan's Nebula	Orion	GN	Nebula nicely captured; NGC 1977 and NGC 1980 are also on the photo.
M 44	Praesepe, Beehive	Cancer	OC	Very large
M 45	Pleiades, Seven Sisters	Taurus	OC	Somewhat large; hints of the nebulae in M 45 recognizable
M 46	with NGC 2438 (PN)	Puppis	OC	Large; NGC 2438 (PN) on the photo! M 46 and M 47 in the same FoV (mosaic), also with NGC 2423 and NGC 2425
M 47		Puppis	OC	Large, contains some large bright stars; M 47 and M 46 in the same FoV (mosaic), also with NGC 2423 and NGC 2425
M 48		Hydra	OC	Large, many bright stars, at the center many nearby stars...
M 50	Together with IC 2177	Monoceros	OC	Nice large open star cluster with many fine and some bright stars; alone and together with IC 2177 in a mosaic
M 51	with NGC 5195	Canes Venatici	G	Nice spiral galaxy with connected satellite galaxy NGC 5195 and some more small galaxies
M 65/66	With NGC 3628 (Leo Triplet (Arp 317, Holm 246))	Leo	G	M 65 and M 66 together with NGC 3628 (Leo Triplet, (Arp 317, Holm 246)) in a mosaic and as a normal photo
M 67		Cancer	OC	Large, nice cluster with a few bright stars and many not so bright ones
M 74		Pisces	G	Nice spiral galaxy, but in the Vespera Pro just a faint dot/glow...
M 78	with NGC 2071	Orion	GE	Nice to see with Vespera Pro, together with NGC 2071
M 95	with M 96 and M 105	Leo	G	Small barred spiral galaxy, relatively faint, but the bar is visible. Forms a pair with M 96. M 96 and M 105 can be included in the normal mode of Vsp Pro.
M 96	with M 95 and M 105	Leo	G	Spiral galaxy, forms a pair with M 95. M 95 and M 105 can be included in the normal mode of Vsp Pro.

M 103	Together with NGC 654, NGC 659, and NGC 663	Cassiopeia	OC	Open star cluster with many fine stars; the brighter stars form a triangle; together with NGC 654, NGC 659, and NGC 663 in the same field of view
M 105	with NGC 3384/89 as well as M 95 and M 96	Leo	G	Bright elliptical galaxy; close to the galaxies NGC 3384 (elliptical) and the smaller NGC 3389 (spiral). In the Vespera Pro additionally together with M 95 and M 96.
M 110	Satellite of M 31	Andromeda	G	Satellite galaxy of M 31, faint
NGC 147	Together with NGC 185	Cassiopeia	G	Elliptical dwarf galaxy; forms a gravitationally connected galaxy pair with NGC 185
NGC 185	Together with NGC 147	Cassiopeia	G	Elliptical dwarf galaxy; forms a gravitationally connected galaxy pair with NGC 147
NGC 654	Together with NGC 659, NGC 663, and M 103	Cassiopeia	OC	Together with NGC 659, NGC 663, and M 103 in the same field of view
NGC 659	Together with NGC 654, NGC 663, and M 103	Cassiopeia	OC	Together with NGC 654, NGC 663, and M 103 in the same field of view
NGC 663	Together with NGC 654, NGC 659, and M 103	Cassiopeia	OC	Together with NGC 654, NGC 659, and M 103 in the same field of view; the largest of these clusters
NGC 1931	Fly Nebula, with NGC 417, M 36, and IC 410	Auriga	GE/R	Emission/reflection nebula; together with IC 417
NGC 1977	Running Man Nebula	Orion	GN	Called Running Man Nebula because of the form of a dark nebula inside of it; together with M 42/43 and NGC 1980 (top left)
NGC 1980	Lost Jewel of Orion	Orion	OC+GN	Diffuse nebula and open star cluster below the Orion Nebula; together with M 42/43 and NGC 1977 (below M 42/43)
NGC 1981	Coal Car Cluster	Orion	OC	Open star cluster above the Running Man Nebula; together with M 43 and NGC 1977.
NGC 2023		Orion	GN	Close to the Horsehead Nebula B 33; to the left of NGC 2023 is IC 435
NGC 2024	Flame Nebula with B 33 and NGC 2023	Orion	GN	Together with B 33 and NGC 2023
NGC 2071	with M 78	Orion	GR	North of M 78 in Orion
NGC 2141		Orion	OC	Nice, but not well known open star cluster in Orion
NGC 2174	Monkey Head Nebula, with NGC 2175	Orion	GR+OC	Reddish nebula that resembles the head of a monkey; contains the open star cluster 2175; without and with DB Filter
NGC 2237-39/46	Rosette Nebula	Capricornus	GN	Fits the FOV of the Vespera Pro
NGC 2244	Star cluster in Rosette Nebula	Monoceros	OC+GN	Cluster at the center of the Rosette Nebula
NGC 2261	Hubble's Variable Nebula, with NGC 2264	Monoceros	GN	Looks like a comet; together with NGC 2264 in the FOV
NGC 2264	Christmas Tree Cluster and Cone Nebula, also with NGC 2261	Monoceros	OC+DN	Together with NGC 2261 in a mosaic; without filter, the nebulae look nicer...
NGC 2359	Thor's Helmet	Canis Major	GN	According to Stoyan a good example of the usefulness of nebula filters
NGC 2392	Eskimo Nebula	Gemini	PN	Round light blue spot with white dot in it, blown out
NGC 2403		Camelopardis	G	Spiral galaxy that is regarded as one of the best galaxies for small telescopes; unclear why Messier overlooked it...
NGC 2419	Intergalactic Wanderer	Lynx	GC	Small, still in the Milky Way...
NGC 2423		Puppis	OC	Small star cluster between M 46 and M 47
NGC 2425		Puppis	OC	Star cluster north of M 47, smaller than M 47
NGC 2438		Puppis	PN	Planetary nebula inside of M 46 (there I found it...); can also be found on the Vsp Pro mosaic (very small)
NGC 2903		Leo	G	One of the brighter spiral galaxies; unclear why Messier missed it...
NGC 3628	Hamburger Galaxy, part of the Leo Triplet (Arp 317, Holm 246)	Leo	G	Spiral galaxy seen edge-on; forms a conspicuous group with M 65 and M 66 in the Leo Triplet (Arp 317, Holm 246); in the Vespera Pro the whole triplet can be seen.
Sh2-261	Lower's Nebula	Orion	GNE	Faint extended galactic emission nebula
Sh2-274	Medusa Nebula	Gemini	PN	Faint extended planetary nebula
Sun			S	Observed sun spots on two different days
Moon			M	Different states
Jupiter			P	Unusable: Fuzzy, moons and surface (stripes) not recognizable
Venus			P	Crescent clearly visible

G = galaxy, GaC = galaxy cluster, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, GE = galactic emission nebula, GR = galactic reflection nebula, DN = dark nebula, C = comet, PN = planetary nebula, SP = star pattern, A = Asterism, SR = Supernova remnant, HII = HII region (emission nebula in other galaxies)

References

Books

Michael Feiler & Philip Novak (2023). Deep Sky Reiseatlas (5th edition), Oculum Verlag (ISBN 978-3-949370-04-5)
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=608
Ronald Stoyan (2021). Deep Sky Reiseführer (6th edition), Oculum Verlag (ISBN: 978-3-938649-72-9)
www.oculum-verlag.de/detailview?no=603
Erich Karkoschka (2022). Atlas für Himmelsbeobachter, Kosmos Verlag (EAN: 9783440173602)
www.kosmos.de/de/atlas-fur-himmelsbeobachter_1074889_9783440173602