Best August Astrophotography Targets: Brightest Messier Objects & More in August
Looking for the best August astrophotography targets? This month is a transition point in the deep-sky season: the bright Milky Way fields of Sagittarius, Scutum, Cygnus, and Cepheus are still well placed, while Andromeda and Pegasus start rising into better view. That means August offers a rich mix of nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies for astrophotography — from wide-field emission nebulae to beginner-friendly clusters and the classic galaxy targets.
Below, you’ll find the best deep-sky objects to see and photograph in August, with practical notes on visibility, the objects’ features, and recommended equipment. To plan your session, use the Sky Tonight app: it shows when each object is visible from your location, how high it rises, and where to point your telescope, binoculars, or camera.
Contents
- Check the Moon Phase Before Shooting Deep-Sky Objects
- Best Nebulae to See and Photograph in August
- Best Galaxies to See and Photograph in August
- Best Star Clusters to See and Photograph in August
- Deep-Sky Objects in August: FAQ
- More Great Deep-Sky Objects to Photograph in August
- Deep-sky objects in August: Key Facts
Check the Moon Phase Before Shooting Deep-Sky Objects
Deep-sky objects are best observed and photographed when the sky is as dark as possible, so the Moon phase matters. Bright moonlight can wash out faint nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters, especially low-contrast targets like the Wizard Nebula, Cocoon Nebula, Elephant Trunk Nebula, Barnard’s Galaxy, and NGC 7331.
In August 2026, the darkest period falls around the New Moon on August 12. The best nights for deep-sky observing and astrophotography are roughly August 8–16, when the Moon is either a thin crescent or absent for most of the night. The nights just before the Last Quarter, around August 4–5, can also work well for evening imaging before the Moon rises. Try to avoid the nights around the Full Moon on August 28, when the bright Moon will make faint deep-sky objects much harder to capture.
For exact Moon phase dates, illumination, moonrise, and moonset times for your location, check our Moon Calendar. Pay special attention to the New Moon on August 12, which coincides with a total solar eclipse, and the Full Moon on August 28, which coincides with a partial lunar eclipse.
Moon, M7, and M8 Form a Celestial Triangle
On August 22, the waxing Moon, the Ptolemy Cluster (M7), and the Lagoon Nebula (M8) will form a nearly equilateral triangle in the sky, with sides measuring about 10.21°, 10.86°, and 10.63°. M7 is a bright open star cluster in Scorpius, while M8 is a large star-forming region in neighboring Sagittarius. The Moon’s brightness may reduce the contrast of the Lagoon Nebula, but the Ptolemy Cluster should remain easy to spot, and binoculars will help reveal both deep-sky objects. Because the triangle spans more than 10°, use the wide-field binoculars, or a camera with a wide-angle or short telephoto lens rather than a telescope. Look toward Scorpius and Sagittarius after sunset, preferably from a location with a clear southern horizon.
Best Nebulae to See and Photograph in August
Nebulae are vast clouds of gas and dust where stars are born and die. They often have beautiful shapes and glowing colors, but don’t expect to see those colors with your eyes. Most nebulae appear as faint gray patches even through a telescope. That’s why they’re especially popular with astrophotographers, who can capture their full beauty in long-exposure images. Some brighter nebulae can still be spotted with binoculars or small telescopes under dark skies.
Helix Nebula
- Alternative names: NGC 7293, Eye of God, Eye of Sauron
- Apparent size: 25′ (0.8 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 7.6
- Constellation: Aquarius
- Best viewed from: Both hemispheres
The Helix Nebula is a planetary nebula located only about 655 light-years away from us. Its broad, ring-like structure is formed by layers of gas expelled by a dying Sun-like star at the center.
Tips for observing and astrophotography
Despite its relatively bright integrated magnitude, the Helix Nebula has low surface brightness, so it’s not easy to observe. You can try to see it using 20×100 binoculars and an O-III or UHC filter. It’s still better to observe this object through a telescope.
For astrophotography, the Helix Nebula is a beautiful but low-contrast target. Use a small refractor or telescope with enough field of view to fit the whole nebula. Long total exposure time will help reveal its ring-like structure, faint outer glow, and subtle color. Narrowband or dual-band filters are especially useful: OIII brings out the blue-green emission, while H-alpha helps strengthen the red outer regions.
Wizard Nebula
- Alternative names: NGC 7380, Sh2-142
- Apparent size: 25′ (0.8 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 7.2
- Constellation: Cepheus
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
The Wizard Nebula is an emission nebula surrounding the open star cluster NGC 7380, located about 7,000 light-years away from Earth. It got its nickname because, from some angles, it looks like a magician in a pointed hat.
Tips for observing and astrophotography
The Wizard Nebula is very difficult to observe visually; you’ll need perfectly dark skies, a telescope, and an O-III filter (and even then, there’s no guarantee you’ll see it). The embedded star cluster NGC 7380 is much easier to see than the nebula itself.
For astrophotography, the Wizard Nebula is also a challenging target because of its low surface brightness. A regular DSLR can capture it, but a modified DSLR, cooled astronomy camera, or monochrome camera will give much better results. Use long total exposure time and, if possible, narrowband or dual-band filters. A smart telescope will also help, as this dim nebula is much easier to image when the target is accurately centered and tracked.
Cocoon Nebula
- Alternative names: IC 5146, Caldwell 19, Sh 2-125
- Apparent size: 12′ (0.4 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 7.1
- Constellation: Cygnus
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
The Cocoon Nebula is a reflection/emission nebula located about 4,000 light-years away. A peculiar feature of this nebula is a long dark “tail” that extends westward from it. This “tail” is Barnard 168 — a dark nebula composed of cold interstellar dust.
Tips for observing and astrophotography
You can see the Cocoon Nebula’s “tail” (Barnard 168) even with small binoculars, but it will be difficult to observe the nebula itself even in mid-sized telescopes. The Cocoon may appear as a faint, diffuse glow surrounding a small cluster of stars in a mid-sized or large telescope. A nebula filter may improve the emission portion slightly, but the object is much more impressive in long-exposure photographs.
For astrophotography, use a small refractor or medium focal length. Long total exposure time is essential for revealing the faint red emission, bluish reflection component, and the dark dust lane around it. A modified DSLR, cooled astronomy camera, or monochrome camera will give the best results, while an H-alpha or dual-band filter can improve contrast from light-polluted skies.
Elephant Trunk Nebula
- Alternative names: IC 1396A, vdB 142
- Apparent size: 25′ × 5′ (0.8 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 5.6
- Constellation: Cepheus
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
The Elephant Trunk Nebula is a dark, elongated cloud of gas and dust inside the much larger emission nebula IC 1396. It is an active star-forming region, where radiation from nearby massive stars shapes the cloud and helps trigger the birth of new stars.
Tips for observing and astrophotography
The Elephant Trunk Nebula is very difficult to observe visually. The larger IC 1396 region can be glimpsed under extremely dark skies as a very faint, diffuse patch, but the “trunk” itself is mostly a photographic target. If you try to observe it, use a wide-field telescope, very dark skies, low magnification, and an OIII or UHC filter to improve contrast.
For astrophotography, the Elephant Trunk Nebula is one of the best deep-sky targets in Cepheus. It works especially well with a camera lens, small refractor, or wide-field telescope that can frame the nebula together with the surrounding IC 1396 region. Long total exposure time is important, and narrowband or dual-band filters are highly recommended: H-alpha reveals the red emission, while OIII and SII can help bring out the structure in the glowing gas. From light-polluted skies, narrowband imaging is often the best way to show the dark trunk against the bright background nebula.
Many nebulae are named after the objects they resemble, though sometimes the resemblance is… up for debate. Are you up for a challenge? Take the Guess the Nebula quiz and put your pattern-spotting skills to the test!
Best Galaxies to See and Photograph in August
Galaxies are enormous systems of stars, gas, and dust, like our own Milky Way. They come in many shapes and sizes, from elegant spirals to smooth ellipticals and irregular galaxies without a defined structure. Galaxies are excellent targets for long-exposure astrophotography, revealing graceful structures and glowing cores.
Barnard's Galaxy
- Alternative names: NGC 6822, IC 4895, Caldwell 57
- Apparent size: 15.5′ × 13.5′ (0.5 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 9.3
- Constellation: Sagittarius
- Best viewed from: Southern Hemisphere
Barnard's Galaxy is a barred irregular galaxy that lies approximately 1.6 million light-years away. It is similar in structure and composition to the Small Magellanic Cloud (another irregular galaxy). In 1925, Edwin Hubble used Cepheid variables in NGC 6822 to determine its distance and show that it lies far beyond the Milky Way.
Tips for observing and astrophotography
Barnard's Galaxy is not easy to observe due to its low surface brightness, but under good conditions, you can see it with 15x50 binoculars. To have a better view of the galaxy, use a 60-mm telescope.
For astrophotography, Barnard's Galaxy is a subtle but rewarding target. Use long total exposure time to reveal its irregular shape, young blue stars, and pinkish hydrogen-rich star-forming regions. Since the galaxy is large and low-contrast, accurate tracking, dark skies, and careful processing are more important than very high magnification.
NGC 7331
- Alternative names: Caldwell 30, UGC 12113
- Apparent size: 10.5′ × 3.7′ (0.3 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 9.5
- Constellation: Pegasus
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
NGC 7331 is an unbarred spiral galaxy in Pegasus. It is often compared to the Milky Way because of its similar size, shape, and mass. The galaxy is tilted toward our line of sight, so in images it appears as a bright, elongated disk with dark dust lanes, bluish young star clusters, and reddish star-forming regions.
Tips for observing and astrophotography
NGC 7331 is one of the brighter galaxies in Pegasus, but it still needs dark skies and a telescope to observe. In a small telescope, it appears as a faint, elongated patch of light. Larger telescopes can reveal a brighter core and a more defined oval shape.
For astrophotography, NGC 7331 is a rewarding galaxy target. Use a medium-to-long focal length to capture its tilted disk, bright core, and dark dust lanes. Long total exposure time will help reveal the faint outer halo and the small background galaxies around it. Broadband color imaging works well for natural galaxy colors, while adding H-alpha data can help bring out the subtle reddish star-forming regions in the spiral arms.
Pavo Galaxy
- Alternative names: NGC 6744, Caldwell 101
- Apparent size: 20′ × 12.9′ (0.7 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 9.1
- Constellation: Pavo
- Best viewed from: Southern Hemisphere
The Pavo Galaxy is a large spiral galaxy in Pavo. It is often called a Milky Way twin because its spiral arms, elongated central region, dusty disk, and overall structure resemble our own galaxy. NGC 6744 also has a small distorted companion galaxy, NGC 6744A, which is sometimes compared to the Magellanic Clouds near the Milky Way.
Tips for observing and astrophotography
The Pavo Galaxy is one of the finest galaxies for southern observers. It can be seen in a small telescope under dark skies, but its spiral structure is subtle visually. Use low-to-medium magnification and a dark, transparent sky to catch its elongated glow and brighter central region. From northern latitudes, the galaxy is either very low or not visible at all, so it is mainly a Southern Hemisphere target.
For astrophotography, NGC 6744 is a rewarding galaxy target. Use a medium focal length or small telescope to frame its large tilted disk, spiral arms, and dusty central region. Long total exposure time will help reveal the faint outer arms and the small companion galaxy NGC 6744A. Broadband color imaging works well for natural galaxy colors, while adding H-alpha data can help emphasize star-forming regions in the spiral arms.
Best Star Clusters to See and Photograph in August
Star clusters are groups of stars that formed together and travel through space as a family. Globular clusters are dense and roughly spherical, while open clusters are more loosely distributed. Many of them are easy to spot and perfect for beginners and experienced skywatchers alike. Clusters are also rewarding astrophotography targets: they often need shorter individual exposures than faint nebulae or galaxies, although longer total integration still improves faint outer detail.
Great Pegasus Cluster
- Alternative names: M15, NGC 7078
- Apparent size: 18′ (0.6 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 6.6
- Constellation: Pegasus
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
The Great Pegasus Cluster is a globular star cluster located approximately 35,000 light-years away from Earth. It is about 13 billion years old and is one of the most densely packed globular clusters in the Milky Way.
Tips for observing and astrophotography
You can observe the Great Pegasus Cluster through binoculars as a fuzzy white “star”. From a perfectly dark location, you can even see it with the naked eye. To distinguish individual stars in the cluster, a large telescope is required.
For astrophotography, the Great Pegasus Cluster is a rewarding but compact target. Use a telescope or longer focal length to show its tight, bright core and surrounding halo of stars. Short-to-medium exposures will help avoid overexposing the center, while longer total integration time will reveal the fainter outer stars. No special filters are needed — good tracking, sharp focus, and careful processing are the key to separating the dense star field.
Summer Rose Star
- Alternative names: M55, NGC 6809
- Apparent size: 19′ (0.6 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 6.3
- Constellation: Sagittarius
- Best viewed from: Southern Hemisphere
The Summer Rose Star is a globular cluster that contains around 100,000 stars. Unlike many globular clusters, it does not have a strongly condensed core. This makes M55 look broad and diffuse, especially in binoculars and small telescopes.
Tips for observing and astrophotography
M55 is large and reasonably bright, but it has low surface brightness, so it needs dark, clear skies to observe. In binoculars, it appears as a round, hazy patch of light. A small telescope can begin to resolve some of its stars, while larger telescopes reveal many more across the cluster’s loose, grainy glow. For Northern Hemisphere observers, M55 stays low above the southern horizon, so it is best observed when Sagittarius is highest in the sky.
For astrophotography, the Summer Rose Star is a rewarding target. Use a telescope or telephoto lens to capture its broad, softly concentrated shape against the rich Sagittarius star field. No special filters are needed; sharp focus, good tracking, and careful exposure control are more important. Try not to overexpose the brighter center, and collect enough total exposure time to reveal the fainter outer stars.
Scorpion Cluster
- Alternative names: M52, NGC 7654, Cr 455
- Apparent size: 13′ (0.4 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 6.9
- Constellation: Cassiopeia
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
The Scorpion Cluster is a rich open star cluster that contains more than 100 confirmed stars and appears strongly concentrated toward the center. In small telescopes, M52 can look like a compact, fan-shaped patch of stars against the rich Milky Way background.
Tips for observing and astrophotography
The Scorpion Cluster is a good target for binoculars and small telescopes. In binoculars, it appears as a small, misty patch of light; a telescope begins to resolve it into many faint stars. Use low-to-medium magnification to keep the whole cluster in view and to show its compact shape against the surrounding Cassiopeia star field.
For astrophotography, M52 is a beginner-friendly target. It does not require long exposures or special filters, but sharp focus and accurate tracking will help separate the many faint stars. A camera lens, small refractor, or telescope can capture the cluster together with the rich Milky Way field around it; for a wider composition, include the nearby Bubble Nebula region.
Trumpler 37 Cluster
- Alternative names: Tr 37, Collinder 439
- Apparent size: 1.5° (3 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 5.0
- Constellation: Cepheus
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
Trumpler 37 is a young open cluster and stellar association embedded in the large emission nebula IC 1396. The cluster is home to the massive star HD 206267, whose radiation helps illuminate and shape the surrounding gas and dust, including the famous Elephant Trunk Nebula region.
Tips for observing and astrophotography
Trumpler 37 is spread across a wide area, so it is best observed with binoculars or a small telescope at low magnification. The stars of the cluster can be seen more easily than the faint IC 1396 nebulosity around them. Under dark skies, the cluster appears as a loose group of stars in the rich Milky Way field of Cepheus; a UHC filter may help reveal hints of the surrounding emission nebula.
For astrophotography, Trumpler 37 works best as part of the wider IC 1396 region. Use a camera lens, small refractor, or wide-field telescope to capture the cluster together with the surrounding red emission nebula and dark dust features. Narrowband or dual-band filters are especially useful: H-alpha reveals the glowing hydrogen gas, while OIII and SII can add contrast and structure. For a more dramatic composition, include the Elephant Trunk Nebula, one of the most recognizable dark features in IC 1396.
Deep-Sky Objects in August: FAQ
What is a deep-sky object?
A deep-sky object (DSO) is any astronomical object that isn’t a star or part of our Solar System. This includes galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. DSOs are typically dim, so observing them often requires binoculars or telescopes.
What are the brightest deep-sky objects in August?
Some of the brightest and most accessible deep-sky objects in the August sky include:
- Trumpler 37 — a large open cluster in Cepheus with an apparent magnitude of 5.0.
- Summer Rose Star (M55) — a broad globular cluster in Sagittarius with an apparent magnitude of 6.3.
- Great Pegasus Cluster (M15) — a compact globular cluster with an apparent magnitude of 6.6.
- Scorpion Cluster (M52) — a rich open cluster in Cassiopeia with an apparent magnitude of 6.9.
- Helix Nebula (NGC 7293) — a large planetary nebula with an apparent magnitude of 7.6, though its low surface brightness makes it harder to see than the number suggests.
Remember that apparent magnitude alone does not determine how easy an object is to observe. Large objects such as the Helix Nebula and Barnard’s Galaxy spread their light across a wide area, so they can appear much fainter than compact star clusters of a similar magnitude.
Explore even more bright deep-sky targets with our naked-eye star clusters list or the map of the best beginner-level deep-sky objects.
How to easily find the best deep-sky objects for my location?
To quickly discover which deep-sky objects are visible in your sky tonight, follow these simple steps using the Sky Tonight app:
- Tap the telescope icon to open “Visible Tonight.”
- Scroll to the “Deep-sky objects” section, or tap the top filter bar and select the galaxy icon to narrow the list.
- Tap the blue target icon next to any object to see when and where it appears in the sky.
Want a visual walkthrough? Watch our video tutorial for step-by-step guidance.
More Great Deep-Sky Objects to Photograph in August
Many deep-sky objects featured in our June and July guides remain excellent targets in August. Here are a few more nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters worth observing and photographing this month:
- Dumbbell Nebula (M27)
- Lagoon Nebula (M8)
- Eagle Nebula (M16)
- Fireworks Galaxy (NGC 6946)
- Andromeda Galaxy (M31)
- Wild Duck Cluster (M11)
- Hercules Globular Cluster (M13)
- Great Sagittarius Cluster (M22)
You’ll find more details on these and other summer targets in our guides to June deep-sky objects and July deep-sky objects.
Deep-sky objects in August: Key Facts
The August sky offers opportunities for everyone. The rich Milky Way fields of Sagittarius, Cygnus, Cassiopeia, and Cepheus are still well placed, while Pegasus and Andromeda begin to rise earlier in the evening.
For easier targets, start with bright star clusters such as the Great Pegasus Cluster, Summer Rose Star, Scorpion Cluster, or Trumpler 37. If you are ready for a greater challenge, photograph the Wizard Nebula, Cocoon Nebula, Elephant Trunk Nebula, Barnard’s Galaxy, NGC 7331, or Pavo Galaxy. These faint objects reward dark skies, accurate tracking, and longer total exposure time. For even more ideas, explore our guide to July astrophotography targets — many of them remain well placed in August.
Plan your session around the New Moon, choose targets that rise high from your location, and use the Sky Tonight app to check their visibility and position. Clear skies and successful observations!
Best Deep-Sky Targets by Month: Year-Ahead Calendar
Deep-sky wonders aren’t limited to August. Discover what the universe has to offer each month with our guides to deep-sky objects:
- January Deep-Sky Objects
- February Deep-Sky Objects
- March Deep-Sky Objects
- April Deep-Sky Objects
- May Deep-Sky Objects
- June Deep-Sky Objects
- July Deep-Sky Objects
- September Deep-Sky Objects
- October Deep-Sky Objects
- November Deep-Sky Objects
- December Deep-Sky Objects
Milky Way: Seize Your Chance to See
August provides an opportunity to catch the Milky Way galaxy at its best before it starts fading from view. Early in the month, you can still spot its bright core in the evening sky, especially under dark, rural skies.
- Get the most out of your viewing with our Milky Way visibility guide: it covers ideal times, directions, and tips for locating it.
- Think you know the Milky Way? Put your knowledge to the test with our Milky Way quiz!
