Best Deep-Sky Objects by Month: May 2025
May marks the last month of the galaxy season in the Northern Hemisphere — a period when constellations that contain numerous galaxies (such as Virgo, Canes Venatici, and Coma Berenices) are high in the sky. That’s why we’ll focus mostly on galaxies in this article. However, we’ve also included some stunning bright nebulae and star clusters for Southern Hemisphere observers! Wherever you are, you can easily locate any object in the list using the Sky Tonight astronomy app. Let’s get started!
Contents
- Nebulae visible in May
- Star clusters visible in May
- Deep-sky objects: F.A.Q.
- May deep-sky objects: Bottom line
Galaxies visible in May
Galaxies are huge groups of stars, gas, and dust held together by gravity. They can be challenging to see and photograph, especially the more distant ones.
Spindle Galaxy
- Alternative names: M102, NGC 5866
- Apparent size: 4.7′ x 1.9′ (0.1 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 9.9
- Constellation: Draco
- Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
- How to observe: The Spindle Galaxy’s small size and edge-on orientation make it challenging to see even through small telescopes. So, use a large telescope for its observation.
- Description: NGC 5866 is a lenticular galaxy, which is an intermediate type between an elliptical and a spiral galaxy. One of the most intriguing features of NGC 5866 is the extended dust disk, which is very rare for lenticular galaxies. Some scientists even think that NGC 5866 is a spiral galaxy that was misclassified due to its edge-on orientation.
St. Catherine's Wheel Galaxy
- Alternative names: M99, NGC 4254, Coma Pinwheel Galaxy
- Apparent size: 5.4′ × 4.7′ (0.1 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 9.9
- Constellation: Coma Berenices
- Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
- How to observe: M99 can be seen in small telescopes but will only appear as a dim patch of light with a brighter center. If you want to see the galaxy's spiral structure, use a large telescope.
- Description: M99 is a grand-design spiral galaxy located in the Virgo Cluster. It is slightly asymmetric in shape, probably due to interactions with other galaxies. M99 is one of the brighter spiral galaxies in the Virgo Cluster and is oriented so that its spiral structure is fully visible. This makes it a popular target for both professional and amateur astronomers.
Mirror Galaxy
- Alternative names: M100, NGC 4321, Blowdryer Galaxy
- Apparent size: 7.4′ × 6.3′ (0.2 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 9.3
- Constellation: Coma Berenices
- Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
- How to observe: You can spot M100 with 20x80 binoculars or small telescopes — it will appear as a faint, hazy patch of light. Medium-sized telescopes will show you the galaxy’s bright core. Description: M100 is a vivid example of an intermediate grand-design spiral galaxy. It is one of the brightest and largest galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, characterized by strong star formation activity.
Whale Galaxy
- Alternative names: NGC 4631, Caldwell 32
- Apparent size: 15.5′ × 2.7′ (0.5 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 9.2
- Constellation: Canes Venatici
- Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
- How to observe: You can try to spot the Whale Galaxy through large binoculars, but it’s better to use a telescope. A medium-sized one will allow you to see the intricate structure of the galaxy, including its central bulge, spiral arms, and the many bright star clusters scattered throughout it.
- Description: NGC 4631 is a barred spiral galaxy. It received the nickname “Whale Galaxy” due to its wedge-like shape. The galaxy is approximately the same size as our own Milky Way Galaxy.
Sunflower Galaxy
- Alternative names: M63, NGC 5055
- Apparent size: 12.6′ × 7.2′ (0.4 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 8.5
- Constellation: Canes Venatici
- Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
- How to observe: It is possible to spot the Sunflower galaxy with binoculars — it will appear as a small, hazy patch of light. A small telescope will reveal it to be a galaxy, but its structure will not be visible.
- Description: M63 is a so-called flocculent galaxy — a spiral galaxy without well-defined arms. In 1971, a supernova with a magnitude of 11.8 was observed in one of the galaxy’s arms.
Black Eye Galaxy
- Alternative names: M64, NGC 4826, Sleeping Beauty Galaxy, Evil Eye Galaxy
- Apparent size: 10.7′ × 5.1′ (0.3 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 8.5
- Constellation: Coma Berenices
- Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
- How to observe: You can see the Black Eye Galaxy with 10x50 binoculars or a small telescope — it will appear as a faint, elongated glow. Use a large telescope to see the galaxy's signature dark lane of dust.
- Description: M64 is a spiral galaxy. It received its nickname due to a dark band of dust surrounding its bright nucleus. It’s a popular object among amateur astronomers.
M106
- Alternative names: NGC 4258
- Apparent size: 18.6′ × 7.2′ (0.6 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 8.4
- Constellation: Canes Venatici
- Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
- How to observe: M106 is bright enough to be spotted with 10x50 binoculars as a faint patch of light. Through small telescopes, you will see the galaxy’s brighter center, while large telescopes will reveal its spiral structure.
- Description: M106 is an intermediate spiral galaxy. It is one of the largest and brightest nearby galaxies, similar in size and luminosity to the Andromeda Galaxy.
Cat's Eye Galaxy
- Alternative names: M94, NGC 4736, Crocodile Eye Galaxy
- Apparent size: 11.2′ × 9.1′ (0.4 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 8.2
- Constellation: Canes Venatici
- Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
- How to observe: Under exceptionally dark and clear skies, the Cat’s Eye Galaxy is visible through binoculars as a small, dim patch of light. Telescopes will help you see the galaxy’s brighter center and hints of its spiral structure.
- Description: M94 is a barred spiral galaxy. It is the brightest member of the M94 group of galaxies in the constellation Canes Venatici, which contains about 20 galaxies. Another Messier object in the group is M64, also known as the Black Eye Galaxy (number 5 on our list).
Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
- Alternative names: M83, NGC 5236
- Apparent size: 12.9′ × 11.5′ (0.4 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 7.6
- Constellation: Hydra
- Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
- How to observe: In areas away from light pollution, you can see the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy through 10x50 binoculars — it will look like a fuzzy patch with a bright center. If you want to see the galaxy’s spiral arms, use a telescope.
- Description: M83 is a barred spiral galaxy. It is one of the nearest and most luminous galaxies observable from Earth. Over the last century, six supernovae have been observed in M83 — only a handful of galaxies can boast that many supernovae.
Nebulae visible in May
Nebulae are vast clouds of gas and dust where stars are born or remnants of dead stars. They can be difficult to see without a telescope, but bright nebulae are visible with binoculars in dark skies. Some very special nebulae can be seen with the naked eye, but they are rare.
NGC 5882
- Alternative names: ESO 274-7, IC 1108
- Apparent size: 13.98″ (0.007 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 10.1
- Constellation: Lupus
- Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
- How to observe: NGC 5882 is best observed with a telescope. The nebula can appear blue-green to most observers. The most visible part measures approximately 7 inches across. To get a good view of its circular shell, you'll need an 11-inch telescope at high magnification (250x or more).
- Description: NGC 5882 is a planetary nebula discovered by English astronomer John Herschel in 1834.
Iris Nebula
- Alternative names: NGC 7023, Caldwell 4
- Apparent size: 18' x 18' (0.6 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 6.8
- Constellation: Cepheus
- Best observed from: Northern Hemisphere
- How to observe: Despite its relatively low magnitude, the Iris Nebula is invisible to the naked eye or binoculars. It is best seen in dark skies with a moderate to large telescope. The nebula’s distinct blue color is visible under high magnification
- Description: The Iris Nebula is a reflection nebula discovered by astronomer William Herschel in 1794. It is illuminated by a magnitude 7.4 star designated HD 200775.
Carina Nebula
- Alternative names: NGC 3372, Caldwell 92, Eta Carinae Nebula, Great Carina Nebula
- Apparent size: 120′ × 120′ (4 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 1.0
- Constellation: Carina
- Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
- How to observe: The Carina Nebula is so big and bright that you can see it with the naked eye — it will look like a fuzzy patch. Still, we advise using binoculars — the nebula will look much more impressive.
- Description: NGC 3372 is one of the largest nebulae in the sky — four times larger than the Orion Nebula! Near the heart of the nebula lies Eta Carinae — a system of at least two stars, the largest of which is around 100 times as massive as the Sun. Stars of this size are extremely rare!
Star clusters visible in May
Star clusters are groups of stars that are bound together by gravity. They are excellent targets for both amateur astronomers and astrophotographers, as their beauty and structure are easily visible and captureable.
M80
- Alternative names: NGC 6093, Mel 142
- Apparent size: 10′00″ (0.3 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 7.8
- Constellation: Scorpius
- Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
- How to observe: M80 is a small but relatively bright globular cluster that can be seen with binoculars or a small telescope. M80's dense core makes it one of the most visible and striking globular clusters in the sky.
- Description: M80 is a globular cluster discovered by Charles Messier in 1781. It became one of his first discoveries.
M5
- Alternative names: NGC 5904, Mel 133
- Apparent size: 22′59″ (0.8 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 6.6
- Constellation: Serpens Caput
- Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
- How to observe: M5 stands out because it is noticeably elliptical, which is an unusual feature for a globular cluster. The brightest stars in the cluster are around 12th magnitude. M5 is easily visible through binoculars, but a small to medium-sized telescope (approximately 4 inches or larger) will provide a better view.
- Description: M5 is a globular cluster discovered by Gottfried Kirch in 1702. William Herschel was the first to resolve individual stars in the cluster in 1791, counting roughly 200. Almost 300 years later, the Hubble Space Telescope captured M5 with visible and infrared cameras. The image features over 100,000 stars.
M4
- Alternative names: NGC 6121, Mel 144
- Apparent size: 26′ (0.9 x Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 5.7
- Constellation: Scorpius
- Best observed from: Southern Hemisphere
- How to observe: M4 is one of the easiest clusters to see: you can find it near the bright star Antares. It can be seen with binoculars, but a small to medium-sized telescope (approximately 4 inches or larger) will provide a clearer view.
- Description: M4 is a globular cluster discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745. It was the first globular cluster ever to be resolved.
Deep-sky objects: F.A.Q.
What is a deep-sky object?
Deep-sky objects (DSOs) refer to astronomical objects located outside our Solar System. These include galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and other objects that are not part of the Milky Way's stellar system. Unlike stars that appear as points of light, deep-sky objects have more complex structures and can range in size from small and faint to large and bright.
What does the letter M mean?
The letter M refers to the Messier Catalogue, compiled by French astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th century. Messier cataloged 110 deep-sky objects (e.g., M4, M5, M80, and M106). As an avid comet hunter, Messier tasked himself with cataloging objects that could be mistaken for comets, so the list primarily includes bright and relatively easy-to-find objects.
What do the letters NGC mean?
NGC stands for the New General Catalogue, a list of deep-sky objects compiled by John Louis Emil Dreyer in 1888. It includes galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and other objects (7,840 in total) visible in the night sky. Each object in the NGC is assigned a unique number (e.g., NGC 7023 – Iris Nebula).
What are the most visible deep-sky objects in May?
In May, some of the brightest deep-sky objects include the Carina Nebula, a massive nebula visible to the naked eye with a magnitude of 1.0. The Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, with a magnitude of 7.6, is a striking spiral galaxy that is best viewed through a telescope. M80, a dense globular cluster with an apparent magnitude of 7.8, is an easy target for binoculars.
Explore even more bright deep-sky targets here:
May deep-sky objects: Bottom line
Let’s celebrate the end of galaxy season by observing beautiful galaxies, like the Black Eye Galaxy and the Sunflower Galaxy. If you are in the Southern Hemisphere, definitely try to see the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy and Carina Nebula — the latter is visible even with the naked eye! Use the Sky Tonight app to find any deep-sky object from our list in the sky. Also, take our readers’ favorite quiz called “Guess the Nebula”!
Best deep-sky objects by month: year-ahead calendar
Deep-sky wonders aren’t limited to May. Discover what the universe has to offer each month with our guides to deep-sky objects:
