Deep Sky Observations with Vespera Pro from End of August 2025

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

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 August 24, 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 August 24, 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 beginning with August 24, 2025. They typically took place shortly after dusk, when it was sufficiently dark for a successful initialization of the Vespera Pro. At the end of August, this was typically after 9:30 p.m (MESZ).

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

Equipment Used

When observing with the Vespera Pro, I only needed the Vespera Pro and my iPhone or iPad. 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
Aug 24 MH	GC: M 13, M 14, M 92 G: M 51, M 101	Order: M 13 (15 min), M 92 (15 min), M 14 (15 min), M 51 (20 min), M 101 (32 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod; iPad, iPhone	Initialization at 9:30 p.m./18.1 p.m./SQM (1 day after New Moon), dew cap added after M 13 / before M 92; Gitzo tripod fully extended; BalENS ON (rec. settings); Astrid observed with the iPhone. M 13 (15 min rec.): Start at 21:30/18.6; 9:50/19.84 (about 12 min IT); end at 9:57/20.0 after 15 min IT M 92 (20 min rec.): Start at 10:00/20.0; 10:12/20.1 (more than 8 min IT); end at 10:21/20.07 after 15 min IT M 14 (30 min rec.): Start at 10:25/20.0; end at 10:47/20.07 after 15 min IT M 51 (30 min rec.): Start at 10:50/20.14; end at 11:20/20.05 after 20 min IT M 101 (30 min rec.): Start at 11:22/20.17; end at 0:08/20.18 after 32 min IT
Aug 25 MH	GC: M 2, M 3, M 5, M 10, M 12, M 15, M 56, M 71, NGC 6934 PN: M 27 G: NGC 7479	Order: M 5 (10 min, M 3 (10 min), M 10 (10 min), M 12 (10 min), M 15 (10 min), NGC 6934 (7 min), M 2 (11 min), M 27 (10 min), M 56 (5 min), M 71 (5 min), NGC 7479 (15 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod; iPad, iPhone	Initialization at 9:20/18.0 p.m./SQM; dew cap added after initialization; Gitzo tripod fully extended; BalENS ON (rec. settings); Astrid observed with the iPhone. M 5 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:26/18.38; end at 9:42/19.45 after 10 min IT M 3 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:43/19.59; end at 10:00/20.06 after 10 min IT M 10 (30 min rec.): Start at 10:03/20.07; end at 10:18/20.08 after 10 min IT M 12 (30 min rec.): Start at 10:20/20.06; end at 10:35/20.1 after 10 min IT M 15 (30 min rec.): Start at 10:38/20.13 end at 10:53/20.08 after 10 min IT NGC 6934 (45 min rec): Start at 10:55/20.15; end at m 11:06/20.06 after 7 min IT M 2 (30 min rec.): Start at 11:10/20.14; end at 11:24/20.56 after 11 min IT M 27 (30 min rec.): Start at 11:29/20.22; end at 11:44/20.22 after 10 min IT M 24 partly obscured, aborted immediately... M 56 (30 min rec.): Start at 11:52/20.20; end at 11:58/20.22 after 5 min IT M 71 (30 min rec.): Start at 0:02/20.18; end at 0:09/20.18 after 5 min IT NGC 7479 (120 min rec.): Start at 00:12/20.19;end at 0:34/20.28 after 15 min IT
Aug 30 MH	OC: M 11, M 24, M 25, M 26, NGC 6885 GC: NGC 7006 PN: M 57 GN: M 16, M 17	Order: M 24 (5 min), M 25 (2 min), M 26 (5 min), M 11 (5 min), M 17 (10 min), M 16 (10 min), NGC 6885 (11 min), NGC 7006 (12 min), M 57 (10 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod; iPad, iPhone	Initialization at 9:30/19.55 p.m./SQM; dew cap added after initialization; Gitzo tripod fully extended; BalENS ON (rec. settings); Astrid observed with the iPhone. M 24 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:37/19.80; end at 9:46/19.90 after 5 min IT, clouds M 25 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:48/19.99; end at 9:52/19.98 after 5 min IT, clouds M 26 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:54/20.01; end at 9:58/20.06 after 3 min IT M 11 (30 min rec.): Start at 22:00/20.03; end at 22:08/20.09 after 5 min IT M 17 (30 min rec.): Start at 22:11/20.03; end at 22:28/20.01 after 10 min IT, tree/clouds M 16 (30 in rec.): Start at 22:32/20.15; end at 22:36/20.10 after 5 min IT, aborted because of clouds; restart at 22:39/20.01 end at 22:55/20.06 after 10 min IT NGC 6885 (manually): Start at 22:58/20.08 end at 23:15/20.11 after 11 min IT NGC 7006 (30 min rec.): Start at 23:19/20.29; end at 23:39/20.19 after 12:30 min IT M 57 (15 min rec.): Start at 23:44/20.22; end at 23:59/20.19 after 10:20 min IT
Aug 31 MH	OS: IC 4665, M 23, M 24, M 25, M 52, NGC 188, NGC 6939 PN: NGC 40 GN: M 17, NGC 7635 G: M 81, M 82, NGC 6946	Order: M 23 (3 min), M 25 (5 min), M 24 (4 min), M 17 (10? min), M 81/82 (15 min), IC 4665 (5 min), NGC 188 (5 min), NGC 6939/6946 15 min), NGC 40 (15 min), M 52/NGC 7635 (21 min)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; Gitzo High Tripod; iPad, iPhone	Initialization at 9:10/18.6 p.m./SQM; dew cap added after initialization; Gitzo tripod fully extended; BalENS ON (rec. settings); Astrid observed with the iPhone; Half Moon M 23 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:17/19.08; end at 9:22/19.19 after 3 min IT M 25 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:23/19.29; end at 9:32/19.73 after 5 min IT M 24 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:35/19.29; end at 9:41/19.92 after 4 min IT, tree bottom right M 17 (30 min rec.): Start at 9:43/19.92; end at 22:??/19.99 after 10? min IT M 81/82 (30 min rec.): Start at 22:08/19.98; end at 22:31/20.03 after 15 min IT; 1. run aborted, disturbance and M 82 too close to the edge; after 2 min spiral arms of M 81 can be guessed IC 4665 (45 min rec.): Start at 22:35/20.04; end at 22:42/20.04 after 5 min IT NGC 188 (15 min): Start at 22:53/20.06; end at 23:02/20.17 after 5 min IT NGC 6939/6946 (20/60 min): Start at 23:04/20.12; end at 23:29/20.07 after 15 min IT NGC 40 (20 min): Start at 23:32/20.13; end at 22:47/20.18 after 15 min IT M 52/NGC 7635 (30/60 min): Start at 23:50/20.16; end at 00:20/20.22 after 20:50 min IT
Sep 18 MH	GE: IC 5070 GN: NGC 7000	Order: NGC 7000 (with IC 5070; 1:03 h)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; DB Filter; Gitzo High Tripod; iPad	Initialization at 9:10/18.6 p.m./SQM with DB Filter on; dew cap added after initialization; Gitzo tripod fully extended; BalENS ON (rec. settings); 3 days before Full Moon NGC 7000 (60 min rec.): Mosaic 3.2°*3.2°, DB Filter; start at 9:15/19.9; 10:27/20.05; end after 1 round, 1.03 h IT at 11:45/20,14
Sep 19 MH	SR: NGC 6960, NGC 6992/5 (Cygnus Loop)	Order: NGC 6960 (with NGC 6992/5, Cygnus Loop; 1:51 h)	Vespera Pro; dew cap; DB FilterGitzo High Tripod; iPad	Initialization at 9:10/18.6 p.m./SQM with DB Filter on; dew cap added after initialization; Gitzo tripod fully extended; BalENS ON (rec. settings); 2 days before Full Moon NGC 6960/6992/5 (60 min rec.): Mosaic 3.2°*3.3°, DB Filter; start at 8:36/19.04; 9:31/19.87; end after 1 round, 1:51 h IT at 11:40/19.86

Bold: First observation during this observation period; G = galaxy, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, GN(E/R) = 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
IC 4665		Ophiuchus	OC	Can already be seen with the naked eye as a faint glow
IC 5070	Pelican Nebula	Cygnus	GNE	Large reddish nebula; also together with NGC 7000 in a mosaic
M 2		Aquarius	GC	Nice globular cluster, belongs to the larger ones
M 3		Canes Venatici	GC	Nice globular cluster, belongs to the larger ones
M 5		Serpens Cauda	GC	Nice globular cluster, belongs to the larger ones
M 10		Ophiuchus	GC	Forms a pair with the globular star cluster M 12
M 11	Wild Duck Cluster	Vulpecula		Is located in the Scutum cloud, a special section of the Milky Way; therefore, the photos are full of stars.
M 12		Ophiuchus	GC	Forms a pair with the globular star cluster M 10
M 13	with NGC 6207	Hercules	GC	Nice globular cluster, belongs to the largest ones; larger than M 5 and M 92; with spiral galaxy NGC 6207
M 14		Ophiuchus	GC	The third of the three bright globular star clusters in Ophiuchus, but different in character from M 10 und M 12 - yellowish
M 15		Pegasus	GC	Supposedly, it is the best globular cluster in autumn, bright core.
M 16	with Eagle Nebula	Serpens	OC/GN	Star cluster M 16 embedded in the Eagle Nebula IC 4703
M 17	Omega Nebula, Swan Nebula	Sagittarius	GN	One of the most beautiful emission nebulae; in the reversing telescope, some people recognize a swan (upside down)...
M 23		Sagittarius	OC	Large open star cluster (nearly moon size)
M 24	Small Sagittarius Cloud	Sagittarius	SC	Part of the Milky Way; disturbed; with NGC 6603, B 92, B 93, and Cr 469
M 25		Sagittarius	OC	More of a "classical object for binoculars"; disturbed
M 26		Scutum	OC	One of the more inconspicuous star clusters
M 27	Dumbbell Nebula; with NGC 6530	Vulpecula	PN	For me, one of the most beautiful planetary nebulae
M 51	with NGC 5195	Canes Venatici	G	Nice spiral galaxy with connected satellite galaxy NGC 5195
M 52	together with NGC 7635	Cassiopeia	OC	Medium-sized open star cluster; together with NGC 7635 in FOV
M 56		Lyra	GC	One of the smaller globular star clusters
M 57	Ring Nebula	Lyra	PN	Ring very bright and washed out
M 71		Sagitta	GC	Very loose GC
M 81	with M 82 and NGC 3077	Ursa Major	G	Nice spiral galaxy; the spiral is not very conspicuous in the eVs; can be seen together with NGC 3077 and M 82 in the Vespera Pro.
M 82	with M 81 and NGC 3077	Ursa Major	G	Elongated irregular galaxy (cigar), disturbed by an encounter with M 81; can be seen together with M 81 and NGC 3077 in the Vespera Pro.
M 92		Hercules	GC	Nice globular star cluster with a compact core
M 101	Pinwheel Galaxy	Coma Berenices	G	Faint and noisy with 30 min; with small galaxies
NGC 40	Bow Tie Nebula	Cepheus	PN	Violet dot with white central star
NGC 188		Cepheus	OC	One of the oldest open star clusters in the Milky Way
NGC 6882/5		Vulpecula	OC	Wide-spread star cluster, actually NGC 6885, not NGC 6882...
NGC 6934		Delphinus	GC	According to Stoyan hard to resolve; it is, however, possible with the VPro.
NGC 6939		Cepheus	OC	Together in Vsp's FoV with NGC 6946
NGC 6946	Fireworks Galaxy	Cepheus	G	Face-on galaxy; 40' distant from the open star cluster NGC 6939, an be observed together with it
NGC 6960	Western Veil Nebula; Cygnus Loop	Cygnus	SR	Together with NGC 6992/5 as a mosaic (Cygnus Loop); together with NGC 6992/5 a supernova remnant.
NGC 6992/5	Eastern Veil Nebul; Cygnus Loop	Cygnus	SR	Together with NGC 6960 as a mosaic (Cygnus Loop); together with NGC 6960 a supernova remnant.
NGC 7000	North America Nebula, with Pelican Nebula	Cygnus	GN	Large reddisch nebula with a shape that reminds of North America; together with IC 5070 as a mosaic
NGC 7006		Delphinus	GC	Small, but also far away for a globular star cluster
NGC 7479	Superman Galaxy	Pegasus	G	Can be seen well as a barred spiral
NGC 7635	Bubble Nebula	Cassiopeia	GN	Nice, is located close to the well-known open star cluster M 52; fits together with M 52 in Vsp Pro (normal)

G = galaxy, GaC = galaxy cluster, OC = open star cluster, GC = globular star cluster, GN = galactic nebula, GNE = galactic emission nebula, GNR = 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