October Night Sky 2023: Visible Galaxies, Nebulae, and Star Clusters
The new astronomical season began recently all across the globe, which means you can go on a hunt for some new celestial objects! In this article, we’ll focus on deep-sky objects and tell you about notable galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters you can see this October.
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How to find a galaxy in the sky?
To quickly locate any of the celestial objects listed below, you can use the astronomy app Sky Tonight. It has a database of more than 90,000 deep-sky objects, all of which are available for free! To find the object you’re interested in, tap the magnifier icon on the main screen, write the object’s name or catalog designation (for instance, “Andromeda Galaxy”, “M31”, or “NGC 224”) in the search field, and tap the blue target icon on the object’s info card. Sky Tonight will immediately show you the object’s location in the sky above you.
Deep-sky objects tonight: October 2023
Andromeda Galaxy
- Alternative names: M31, NGC 224, Andromeda Nebula
- Apparent size: 3°09′ × 1°01′ (6.1 × 2 the Full Moon’s size)
- Apparent magnitude: 3.4
- Where to observe: Northern Hemisphere
The Andromeda Galaxy is the closest large spiral galaxy to the Milky Way. Initially, this galaxy was considered to be a nebula, so you can sometimes hear it being called the Andromeda Nebula, too.
The Andromeda Galaxy is a very popular object among beginning astronomers. And no wonder, as it’s the most distant object you can see with the unaided eye! This galaxy shines with a magnitude of 3.4 in the constellation Andromeda. We advise you to use binoculars or a small telescope for its observation.
To the naked eye, the Andromeda Galaxy looks like a small elongated “cloud of light”. You can easily spot it using averted vision if the night is dark and clear. To find the galaxy in the sky, first, locate the W-shaped constellation Cassiopeia. Then divide the “W” into two “V”s; the right-hand “V” forms an arrow that points directly at the galaxy. You can also simply use a stargazing app to locate the Andromeda Galaxy right away. To get more observing tips, read our guide on how to see the Andromeda Galaxy.
As a bonus, you can try to spot two bright companions of the Andromeda Galaxy: M110 and M32. They are dwarf galaxies orbiting their parent galaxy. Their apparent magnitude equals 8.0, and you can observe them through a telescope.
California Nebula
- Alternative names: NGC 1499, Sh2-220
- Apparent size: 2°40′ × 40′ (4.8 × 0.8 the Full Moon’s size)
- Apparent magnitude: 4.1
- Where to observe: Northern Hemisphere
The California Nebula is a beautiful emission nebula located in the constellation Perseus. Due to its very low surface brightness, it’s quite difficult to observe: you’ll need a telescope with a hydrogen-alpha filter to see it in the sky. The California Nebula is situated north of the celestial equator and thus is visible from the Northern Hemisphere.
Saturn Nebula
- Alternative names: NGC 7009, Caldwell 55
- Apparent size: 41.40″ × 34.80″ (0.02 × 0.01 the Full Moon’s size)
- Apparent magnitude: 8.0
- Where to observe: Both hemispheres
The Saturn Nebula is a planetary nebula in the constellation Aquarius. Through a small telescope, it looks like a greenish patch of light. Larger telescopes will reveal more detail, including two extended lobes on either side of the nebula that resemble the rings of Saturn. The Saturn Nebula lies close to the celestial equator and can be seen from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
Sculptor Galaxy
- Alternative names: NGC 253, Silver Coin, Silver Dollar Galaxy
- Apparent size: 27′30″ × 6′48″ (0.9 × 0.2 the Full Moon’s size)
- Apparent magnitude: 8.0
- Where to observe: Southern Hemisphere
The Sculptor Galaxy is one of the brightest galaxies in the sky and can be seen through binoculars (though using a telescope is still preferable). Look for it in the constellation Sculptor. This galaxy is easily visible from the Southern Hemisphere, but can’t be seen from locations much north of 44° north latitude.
Small Magellanic Cloud
- Alternative names: SMC, NGC 292
- Apparent size: 5°09′ × 3°24′ (10.1 × 6.4 the Full Moon’s size)
- Apparent magnitude: 2.1
- Where to observe: Southern Hemisphere
The Small Magellanic Cloud is a dwarf irregular galaxy positioned close to our Milky Way. It shines with a magnitude of 2.1 in the constellation Tucana. You can try to spot this bright galaxy with the naked eye, but it’s still better to use binoculars or a small telescope. The SMC is visible from any location south of the equator but is practically unobservable from the Northern Hemisphere.
M2
- Alternative names: NGC 7089
- Apparent size: 16′ (half the Full Moon’s size)
- Apparent magnitude: 6.3
- Where to observe: Northern Hemisphere
M2 is a globular star cluster in the constellation Aquarius. On a perfectly dark sky, M2 can be visible to the naked eye; however, it’s still better to use binoculars or a small telescope for observation. It is one of the brightest clusters visible from the Northern Hemisphere.
Double Cluster
- Alternative names: Caldwell 14
- Apparent size: 60′ (2 times the Full Moon’s size)
- Apparent magnitude: 3.8 / 3.7
- Where to observe: Northern Hemisphere
The Double Cluster occupies an area twice the size of a Full Moon in the sky and consists of two open clusters. NGC 869 (also known as h Persei) represents the Double Cluster’s western half, while NGC 884 (χ Persei) represents its eastern half. NGC 869 shines with a magnitude of 3.8, while NGC 884 has a magnitude of 3.7. You can use binoculars or a small telescope to observe both halves of the Double Cluster in the constellation Perseus. Note that these deep-sky objects are unobservable from locations south of about 30º south latitude.
Triangulum Galaxy
- Alternative names: M33, NGC 598
- Apparent size: 1°08′ × 41′35″ (2.1 × 1.3 the Full Moon’s size)
- Apparent magnitude: 5.7
- Where to observe: Northern Hemisphere
The Triangulum Galaxy is the third-largest galaxy in the so-called Local Group, which also includes the Milky Way and Andromeda Galaxy. Its visual magnitude equals 5.7, so it is bright enough to be observed with binoculars. Look for this spiral galaxy in the constellation Triangulum. The Triangulum Galaxy is a northern sky object that is difficult to observe from the Southern Hemisphere.
NGC 7331
- Alternative names: Caldwell 30
- Apparent size: 10′29″ × 3′42″ (0.3 × 0.1 the Full Moon’s size)
- Apparent magnitude: 9.4
- Where to observe: Northern Hemisphere
NGC 7331 is an unbarred spiral galaxy in the constellation Pegasus. It is similar in size and structure to the Milky Way and contains a supermassive black hole at its core. You can see it through large binoculars and small telescopes from the Northern Hemisphere.
NGC 300
- Alternative names: Caldwell 70
- Apparent size: 21′54″ × 15′55″ (0.7 × 0.5 the Full Moon’s size)
- Apparent magnitude: 8.1
- Where to observe: Southern Hemisphere
NGC 300 is another spiral galaxy similar to our Milky Way. You can see it through binoculars or a telescope in the constellation Sculptor. NGC 300 is best observable from the Southern Hemisphere and cannot be seen from latitudes much north of 32° north latitude.
NGC 362
- Alternative names: Caldwell 104
- Apparent size: 12′54″ (0.4 the Full Moon’s size)
- Apparent magnitude: 6.5
- Where to observe: Southern Hemisphere
NGC 362 is a spectacular globular cluster that contains hundreds of thousands of stars and is only observable from the Southern Hemisphere. You can find it in the constellation Tucana. Grab a pair of binoculars or a small telescope to see this star cluster in the sky.
Bottom line
In October 2023, multiple deep-sky objects (including the big and bright Andromeda Galaxy!) will be favorably positioned for observation. Try to see as many of them as possible with the help of the Sky Tonight app. If you’re interested in deep-sky objects, make sure to take our “Guess the Nebula!” quiz, it will amaze you!
