Deep Sky Observations with Dwarf mini from August 2026

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

Since the beginning of January 2026, I own a DwarfLab Dwarf mini telescope for observing and taking photos of deep sky objects. On this page, I collect information about observations from August 2026 on. The photos that were taken during this phase are presented elsewhere (on the detail pages for the DSO).

Note: See also

Conditions

Sky Region and Objects

From August 2026 on, I observed mostly the following sky area (some better known 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 from August 2026 on. They typically took place shortly after dusk, when it was sufficiently dark for a successful initialization of the Dwarf mini. This was at about 11 p.m. in the beginnung of August, in September already shortly after 9:30 p.m..

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 Dwarf mini, I only need the Dwarf mini and my iPhone or iPad. When needed (e.g. for EQ mode), I use the DarfLab Tripod that I bought together with the Dwarf mini. Filters are inbuilt (Astro, Dual Band, Dark) or delivered with the Dwarf mini (Solar Filter).

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

Note: (15/60/Astro) means 15 s, Gain 60, Astro Filter - and analogeously...

Date 2026	Observed Objects	Observed Objects, Details	Remarks	Further Remarks
Aug 10 MH	G: M 51, M 101	Order: M 51 (25 min), M 101 (30 min)	Dwarf mini; iPad	M 51 observed with AZ from 11:02 p.m. (15/120/Astro); stopped at 23:34 p.m. after 101 subs (25 min) M 101 observed with AZ from 11:38 p.m. (15/120/Astro); stopped at 0:15 a.m. after 118 subs (29,5 min) SQM later just above 20
Aug 11 MH	G: M 13, M 56, M 92 Sun	Order: Sun (test); M 13 (25 min), M 92 (25 min), M 56 (25 min)	Dwarf mini; iPad; sun filter	Sun (afternoon, 20 subs) M 13 observed with AZ from 10:24 p.m. (15/120/Astro); stopped at 10:54 p.m. after 95 subs (25 min) M 92 observed with AZ from 10:58 p.m. (15/120/Astro); stopped at 11:30 a.m. after 98 subs (25 min) M 56 observed with AZ from (15/120/Astro); stopped at 00:04 a.m. after 96 subs (25 min)
Aug 12 MH	G: M 101 Sun	Order: Sun (test; partial eclipse); M 101 (75 min)	Dwarf mini; iPad; sun filter	Sun (afternoon, evening (eclipse), 30 to 40 stacks) M 101 observed with AZ from 11:11 p.m. (15/60/Astro); stopped at 0:45 a.m. after 301 subs (75 min)
Aug 13 MH	G: M 51	Order: M 51 (75 min)	Dwarf mini; iPad	M 51 observed with AZ from 10:44 p.m. (15/60/Astro); stopped at 018 a.m. after 298 subs (75 min)
Sep 5 MH	GC: M 71 OC: M 11 SP: Cr 399 PN: M 27 N: Sagitta	Order: Nova V488 Sge (10 min), M 71 (22.5 min), M 11 (2 min), M 11 (13 min), Cr 399 (10 min), M 27 (25 min)	Dwarf mini; iPad	V488 Sge (Nova Sagittae 2026) observed with AZ from 9:36 p.m. (15/60/Astro); stopped at 9:48 p.m. after 41 subs (10 min); SQM nearly 20 at start M 71 observed with AZ from 9:56 p.m. (15/60/Astro); stopped at 10:24 p.m. after 89 subs (22,5 min); SQM 20.05 at start M 11 observed with AZ from 10:34 p.m. (15/60/Astro); stopped at 10:36 p.m. after 9 subs (2 min); abgebrochen, weil ich 4 Sterne mit drauf haben wollte, die mir visuell als Hinweis dienten M 11 observed with star trazepium and with AZ from 10:40 p.m. (15/60/Astro); stopped at 10:56 p.m. after 51 subs (13 min); SQM 20.14 at start Cr 399observed with AZ from 11:01 p.m. (15/60/Astro); stopped at 11:13 p.m. after 40 subs (10 min); SQM 20.24 at start M 27 observed with AZ from 11:17 p.m. (15/60/Astro); stopped at 11:46 p.m. after 100 subs (25 min); SQM 20.16 at start
Sep 9 MH	GN: NGC 6888	Order: NGC 6888 (15 min)	Dwarf mini; iPad	NGC 6888 observed with AZ from 9:59 p.m. (15/60/Astro); cancelled at 10:17 p.m. because of clouds after 59 subs (15 min); SQM 20.1 at start
Sep 11 MH	GN: NGC 6888	Order: NGC 6888 (98 min)	Dwarf mini; iPad	NGC 6888 observed with EQ from 9:41 p.m. (60/60/Duo); stopped at 11:30 p.m. after 98 subs (98 min); SQM 20.03 at 9:47 p.m.
Sep 14 MH	GN: NGC 6992/5	Order: NGC 6992/5 (118 min)	Dwarf mini; iPad	NGC 6992/5 (Eastern Veil Nebula) observed with EQ from 9:27 p.m. (60/60/Duo); stopped at 11:37 p.m. after 118 subs (118 min); SQM 20 at 9:27 p.m.
Sep 18 MH	GN: NGC 6960	Order: NGC 6960 (118 min)	Dwarf mini; iPad	NGC 6992/5 (Western Veil Nebula) observed as a 1:1.8 EQ mosaic from 9:22 p.m. (60/60/Duo); stopped at 11:38 p.m. after 118 (58/60) subs (118 min); SQM 19.8 at start and 19.94 at 11:55 p.m.
Sep 21 MH	GN: NGC 7000	Order: NGC 7000 (119 min)	Dwarf mini; iPad	NGC 7000 (North Amerika Nebula, with IC 5070 Pelican Nebula) observed as a 1:1.8 EQ mosaic from 9:10 p.m. (60/60/Duo); stopped at 11:25 p.m. after 119 (59/60) subs (119 min); SQM 19.4 at start

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, N = nova; 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
Cr 399	Coat Hanger	Vulpecula	SP	In binoculars better to see than in a telescope; the Dwarf mini shows it completely
IC 5070	Pelican Nebula, with NGC 7000	Cygnus	GNE	Large reddish nebula; together with NGC 7000 (partly)
M 11	Wild Duck Cluster	Scutum	OC	Is located in the Scutum cloud, a special section of the Milky Way; therefore, the photos are full of stars.
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 27	Dumbbell Nebula	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 and some more small galaxies
M 56		Lyra	GC	One of the smaller globular star clusters
M 71		Sagitta	GC	Very loose globular star cluster
M 92		Hercules	GC	Nice globular star cluster with a compact core
M 101	Pinwheel Galaxy	Coma Berenices	G	Faint; with small galaxies nearby; better with longer integration time
NGC 6888	Crescent Nebula	Cygnus	GN	Nice, but faint; responds well to the Duo Band Filter
NGC 6960	Western Veil Nebula	Cygnus	GN/SR	Faint; requires longer integration times and the Duo Band Filter; required also a mosaic this time; together with NGC 6992/5 a supernova remnant
NGC 6992/5	Eastern Veil Nebula	Cygnus	GN/SR	Faint; requires longer integration times and the Duo Band Filter; together with NGC 6960 a supernova remnant
NGC 7000	North America Nebula, with IC 5070	Cygnus	GN	Normally only partly visible (together with part of IC 5070); better visible as a mosaic (Duo Band Filter)
Sun			S	Two sun tests and partial eclipse of the sun on August 12, 2026
V488 Sge	Nova Sagittae 2026	Sagitta	N	Nova in Sagitta, discovered in August 2026

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), N = Nova

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