When you look at the stars, using a small telescope can be super exciting! With just a little gear, you can see some really famous galaxies far away in space. Here’s a list of some cool galaxies you can find with your telescope, plus tips on how to spot them.
Andromeda is the closest big spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way. On a clear night, you can see it without a telescope. It looks like a fuzzy spot in the Andromeda constellation. If you use a small telescope, you can see its spiral shape. With a bigger telescope, you might even catch a glimpse of its smaller galaxies, M32 and M110.
This galaxy is found in the Canes Venatici constellation. The Whirlpool Galaxy looks like it's swirling, kind of like a cosmic whirlpool. If you use a telescope that’s at least 4 inches wide, you can see its beautiful spiral arms. Plus, it’s interacting with a smaller galaxy called NGC 5195.
M33 is part of our local group of galaxies and can be found in the Triangulum constellation. It can be a bit tricky to find because it’s not super bright. But if you have a telescope and it’s dark outside, you can spot its faint glow. A telescope with about 4 inches of width will help you see some areas where stars are being born.
This galaxy looks like a sombrero hat and is located in the Virgo constellation. It has a bright center and a dark band of dust. If you use a 6-inch telescope, you’ll see its cool shape. Bigger telescopes show it off even better!
Also called the Silver Coin Galaxy, this bright galaxy can be found in the Sculptor constellation. If you have an 8-inch telescope, you can dive right into its shining light to see where new stars are forming. It’s one of the brightest galaxies you can see in the southern sky.
The Pinwheel Galaxy is in the Ursa Major constellation. It’s a big spiral galaxy that faces us. With a telescope that’s at least 5 inches wide, you can see the glowing arms and even some regions where stars are actively being made.
Centaurus A is special because it has a strange shape due to two galaxies merging together. It’s bright and can be found in the Centaurus constellation. If you use a telescope that’s 6 inches or wider, you’ll notice its unique dust lane that goes across its center.
Exploring these amazing galaxies with your small telescope can be super fun! Each one shows us more about space and makes us appreciate our universe. Don’t forget to check the light pollution maps to find a great spot for stargazing. Get ready for some incredible sights, and keep your star charts close! Happy stargazing!
When you look at the stars, using a small telescope can be super exciting! With just a little gear, you can see some really famous galaxies far away in space. Here’s a list of some cool galaxies you can find with your telescope, plus tips on how to spot them.
Andromeda is the closest big spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way. On a clear night, you can see it without a telescope. It looks like a fuzzy spot in the Andromeda constellation. If you use a small telescope, you can see its spiral shape. With a bigger telescope, you might even catch a glimpse of its smaller galaxies, M32 and M110.
This galaxy is found in the Canes Venatici constellation. The Whirlpool Galaxy looks like it's swirling, kind of like a cosmic whirlpool. If you use a telescope that’s at least 4 inches wide, you can see its beautiful spiral arms. Plus, it’s interacting with a smaller galaxy called NGC 5195.
M33 is part of our local group of galaxies and can be found in the Triangulum constellation. It can be a bit tricky to find because it’s not super bright. But if you have a telescope and it’s dark outside, you can spot its faint glow. A telescope with about 4 inches of width will help you see some areas where stars are being born.
This galaxy looks like a sombrero hat and is located in the Virgo constellation. It has a bright center and a dark band of dust. If you use a 6-inch telescope, you’ll see its cool shape. Bigger telescopes show it off even better!
Also called the Silver Coin Galaxy, this bright galaxy can be found in the Sculptor constellation. If you have an 8-inch telescope, you can dive right into its shining light to see where new stars are forming. It’s one of the brightest galaxies you can see in the southern sky.
The Pinwheel Galaxy is in the Ursa Major constellation. It’s a big spiral galaxy that faces us. With a telescope that’s at least 5 inches wide, you can see the glowing arms and even some regions where stars are actively being made.
Centaurus A is special because it has a strange shape due to two galaxies merging together. It’s bright and can be found in the Centaurus constellation. If you use a telescope that’s 6 inches or wider, you’ll notice its unique dust lane that goes across its center.
Exploring these amazing galaxies with your small telescope can be super fun! Each one shows us more about space and makes us appreciate our universe. Don’t forget to check the light pollution maps to find a great spot for stargazing. Get ready for some incredible sights, and keep your star charts close! Happy stargazing!