This is a list of deep space objects that can be seen with a small scope in Northeast Ohio.  Most of these have been seen with a small scope or binoculars under above average suburban conditions with an unaided eye limiting magnitude of 5.0 overhead.  This list was compiled because not all of the Messier objects are visible with small scopes under less than ideal conditions. Added to those Messier objects that are visible are NGC, IC and other objects that can be bagged with a small scope. A small scope is defined here as a 4.5 inch (114mm) or smaller reflector and/or a 3.5 inch (90mm) or smaller refractor or catadioptic. For those of you with larger instruments using a small scope will definitely challenge and improve your observing skills.

Included in this list are 16 nebulas, 59 open clusters, 15 globular clusters and 20 galaxies. The selection criteria for small scopes is as follows. First the magnitude of the object and its size is considered. The magnitude listed is the total light from that object as if it were coming from a single stellar point. The same magnitude object will be harder to see if it is spread out over a large area.  For example: M33 at mag. 5.7 and 62x36 arc seconds will be harder to see than M27 at mag. 7.6 and 6 arc seconds. The next criterion is declination. Simply put, the lower the object is the harder it is to see it. Objects have been limited to –35 degrees declination or higher. Only brighter objects are listed between –25 and –35 degrees of declination. Remember, everybody’s back yard is different so these may or may not be visible to all observers in all locations.  If you would like to add an object to the list please contact Bill Castro with your observation.

The downloadable files contain more information that is listed below.

Download excell file: smallscope.xls

Download text file: smallscope.txt

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OBJECT  CONST  TYPE  MAG   SIZE
M110         AND     GAL     8         17x10
M31           AND     GAL     3.5    178x63
M32           AND     GAL     8.2        8x6
NGC7662  AND     NEB     8.9  "32"x28"
NGC752    AND     OC       5.7      50'
NGC6709  AQL     OC        6.7      13
M2             AQR    GLOB    6.5      13
NGC7009  AQR     NEB      8.4      26"
M36           AUR     OC         6        12
M37           AUR     OC        5.6      24
M38           AUR     OC        6.4      21
NGC1893  AUR     OC        7.5      12
M103         CAS      OC       7.4        6
M52           CAS      OC       6.9      13
NGC457    CAS      OC       6.4      13
NGC654    CAS      OC       6.5        5'
NGC659    CAS      OC       7.9        5'
NGC663    CAS      OC       7.1       16'
NGC7789  CAS      OC       6.7       16
STOCK2   CAS      OC       4.4       60.0
M77           CET      GAL      8.8       7x6
M41           CMA     OC       4.5       38
NGC2360  CMA     OC       7.2       12
M44           CNC      OC       3.1       95
M67           CNC      OC       6.9       30
M64           COM     GAL     8.5       9x15
M3             COM    GLOB   6.4       16
M53           COM    GLOB   7.7       13
M106         CVN      GAL     8.3     18x8
M51           CVN      GAL     8.4     11x8
M63           CVN      GAL     8.6     12x8
M94           CVN      GAL     8.2     11x9
NGC5195  CVN      GAL     9.6        5
CR339       CYG       OC      3.6       60
M29           CYG       OC      6.6         8
M39           CYG       OC      4.6       32
NGC6819  CYG       OC      7.3      9.5
NGC7006  DEL      GLOB  10.6     2.8'
NGC2392  GEM      NEB    10.0    42"
M35           GEM      OC        5.1    28
NGC2158  GEM      OC        8.6      5
NGC2420  GEM      OC        8.3     10'
M13            HER    GLOB     5.9     17
M92            HER    GLOB     6.5     11
NGC3242   HYA     NEB      8.6      16"
M48            HYA     OC        5.8      54
M65            LEO     GAL       9.3    10x3
M66            LEO     GAL       9.0      9x4
NGC2903  LEO      GAL       9.0    13x7
NGC3628  LEO      GAL        9.5   15x4
M56           LYR     GLOB      8.3      7
M57           LYR      NEB        9.7      1
NGC2261  MON    NEB      10.0      2
NGC2244  MON  NEB/OC   4.8    24'
NGC2264  MON  NEB/OC   3.9    20
M50           MON    OC          5.9    16
M10           OPH   GLOB        6.6    15
M12           OPH   GLOB        6.6    15
M14           OPH   GLOB        7.6    12
NGC6572  OPH    NEB          8.1     8"
IC4665       OPH    OC           4.2    41
NGC6633  OPH    OC           4.6    27'
M42           ORI     NEB          ---   66x60
M43           ORI     NEB          ---   20x15
NGC2023  ORI     NEB          ---    10'
NGC1973  ORI    NEB/OC    ---      5
NGC1975  ORI    NEB/OC    ---     10
NGC1977  ORI    NEB/OC    4.6   20x10
NGC1981  ORI     OC            4.6    25'
NGC2169  ORI     OC            5.9     7
NGC7331  PEG    GAL           9.1   10x4
M15           PEG   GLOB         6.4    12
M34           PER    OC             5.2    35
MEL20       PER    OC            1.2   185
NGC869    PER     OC            4.0    30'
NGC884    PER     OC            4.0    30'
M46           PUP    OC             6.1    27
M47           PUP    OC             4.4    30
M93           PUP    OC             6.2    22
NGC2423  PUP    OC             6.9    20
NGC253    SCL    GAL           7.1   22x6
M4             SCO   GLOB        5.9     26
M6             SCO    OC            4.2     15
M7             SCO    OC            3.3     80
M11           SCT     OC            5.8    14
M5             SER    GLOB         5.8    17
M16           SER     NEB          6.0   35x28
IC4756      SER     OC             5.4    52
M22          SGR    GLOB         5.1    24
M28          SGR    GLOB         6.9    11
M17          SGR     NEB           7.0   46x37
M20          SGR     NEB           8.0   29x27
M8            SGR     NEB           6.0   90x80
M18          SGR      OC            6.9      9
M21          SGR      OC            5.9     13
M23          SGR      OC            5.5     27
M24          SGR      OC            4.5  120x40
M25          SGR      OC            4.6     32
NGC6530 SGR      OC            4.6     15'
M1            TAU    NEB            8.4     6x4
M45          TAU     OC             1.2     110
MEL25      TAU     OC             0.5     330
NGC1647  TAU     OC            6.3      45
NGC1746  TAU     OC            6.0      45
M33           TRI      GAL           5.7    62x39
M81           UMA   GAL           6.9    26x14
M82           UMA   GAL           8.4    11x5
M104         VIR      GAL           8.3     9x4
M27           VUL     NEB           7.6      6
NGC6940  VUL      OC            6.3      31'

LEGEND

"NEB = NEBULA, (ALL TYPES)"
OC = OPEN CLUSTER
GLOB = GLOBULAR CLUSTER
GAL = GALAXY