Standard Tracker
Astrophotography Targets

Photos shown here were taken with a crop sensor mirrorless camera and standard lenses, using the MSM Rotator

Short Focal Length

Barnard's Loop

Different names: Sh 2-276
Approximate Location: Orion
Surface Brightness: 27
Recommended Season: Winter
Recommended Focal Length: 50mm

California Nebula

Different names: NGC 1499 , Sh 2-220
Approximate Location: Perseus
Surface Brightness: 23
Recommended Season: Winter
Recommended Focal Length: 135mm

Christmas Tree Cluster

Different names: Cone Nebula, NGC 2264
Surface Brightness: very low?

Rosette Nebula

Different names: NGC 2237, Sh 2-275
Surface Brightness: 27

Combined

Approximate Location: head of Monoceros

Recommended Season: Winter
Recommended Focal Length for combined shot: 135mm

Eagle Nebula

Different names: M 16, NGC 6611, Sh 2-49
Surface Brightness: 19

Swan Nebula

Different names: Omega Nebula, M 17, NGC 6618, Sh 2-45
Surface Brightness: 20

Combined

Approximate Location: between Sagittarius and Ophiuchus

Recommended Season: Summer
Recommended Focal Length for combined shot: 135mm

Flame Nebula

Different names: NGC 2024 , Sh 2-277
Surface Brightness: 20

Horsehead Nebula

Different names: B 33
Surface Brightness: 23

Combined

Approximate Location: belt of Orion

Recommended Season: Winter
Recommended Focal Length for combined shot: 135mm

Gamma Cas Nebula

Different names: IC 59, IC-63, Sh 2-185
Surface Brightness: 17

Pacman Nebula

Different names: NGC 281, Sh 2-184
Surface Brightness: 19

Combined

Approximate Location: Cassiopeia

Recommended Season: Summer
Recommended Focal Length for combined shot: 135mm

Heart Nebula

Different names: IC 1805, Sh 2-190
Surface Brightness: 24

Soul Nebula

Different Names: IC 1848, Sh 2-199
Surface Brightness: 22

Combined

Approximate Location: between Cassiopeia, Perseus, and Camelopardalis

Recommended Season: Autumn - Winter
Recommended Focal Length for combined shot: 135mm

Lagoon Nebula

Different names: M 8, NGC 6523, Sh 2-25
Surface Brightness: 22

Trifid Nebula

Different names: M 20, NGC 6514, Sh 2-30
Surface Brightness: 22

Combined

Approximate Location: between Sagittarius and Ophiuchus

Recommended Season: Summer
Recommended Focal Length for combined shot: 135mm

Milky Way Galaxy (core)

Different names: None
Approximate Location: Sagittarius, Ophiuchus, and Scorpius
Surface Brightness: LSB
Recommended Season: Summer
Recommended Focal Length: < 50mm

North America Nebula

Different names: C 20, NGC 7000, Sh 2-117
Surface Brightness: 22

Pelican Nebula

Different names: IC 5070, IC 5067
Surface Brightness: 25

Combined

Approximate Location: Cygnus

Recommended Season: Spring - Autumn
Recommended Focal Length for combined shot: 135mm

Orion Nebula

Different names: M 42, NGC 1976 , Sh 2-281
Surface Brightness: 22

Running Man Nebula

Different names: NGC 1977 , Sh 2-279
Surface Brightness: 21

Combined

Approximate Location: Orion

Recommended Season: Winter
Recommended Focal Length for combined shot: 135mm

Rho Ophiuchi Cloud

Different names: IC 4603, IC 4604, IC 4605, NGC 6144 (these are all parts of the cloud)
Approximate Location: Ophiuchus
Surface Brightness: 22 ?
Recommended Season: Summer
Recommended Focal Length: > 50mm

Sadr Region

Different names: IC 1318, Gamma Cygni Nebula, Butterfly Nebula
Approximate Location: Cygnus
Surface Brightness: ?
Recommended Season: Spring - Summer
Recommended Focal Length: 135mm

Long Focal Length

Andromeda Galaxy

Different names: M 31, NGC 224
Approximate Location: Andromeda
Surface Brightness: 22
Recommended Season: Summer - Winter
Recommended Focal Length: 200mm

Elephant Trunk Nebula

Different names: IC 1396
Approximate Location: Cepheus
Surface Brightness: 22
Recommended Season: Spring - Autumn
Recommended Focal Length: 200mm

Hercules Cluster

Different names: M 13, NGC 6205
Approximate Location: Hercules
Surface Brightness: 21
Recommended Season: Summer
Recommended Focal Length: > 400mm

Pleiades Cluster

Different names: Seven Sisters, M 45
Approximate Location: Taurus
Surface Brightness: 20
Recommended Season: Winter
Recommended Focal Length: 300mm

Rosette Nebula

Different names: NGC 2237, Sh 2-275
Approximate Location: head of Monoceros
Surface Brightness: 27
Recommended Season: Winter
Recommended Focal Length: 300mm

Triangulum Galaxy

Different Names: M 33, NGC 598
Approximate Location: between Andromeda and Triangulum
Surface Brightness: 23
Recommended Season: Autumn
Recommended Focal Length: > 400mm

Veil Nebula

Different names: NGC 6960, NGC 6992, NGC 6995
Approximate Location: Cygnus
Surface Brightness: 27
Recommended Season: Spring - Autumn
Recommended Focal Length: 300mm

Recommended Seasons are for the Northern hemisphere.

Surface Brightness is a measure of brightness where lower is brighter.

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