Deep-Sky Objects in November 2026: Best Observing and Astrophotography Targets
November is packed with deep-sky objects for every kind of stargazer. Below, you’ll find the best deep-sky objects to observe and photograph in November, including star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae. Use the Sky Tonight app to find any of them in your sky and check when they’re best placed for your exact location.
Contents
- Check the Moon Phase Before Observing and Photographing November Deep-Sky Objects
- Best November Deep-Sky Objects Visible to the Naked Eye
- Best November Deep-Sky Objects to See With Binoculars
- Best November Deep-Sky Objects to See Through a Telescope
- How to Observe Deep-Sky Objects: Useful Tips
- Deep-Sky Objects in November: Conclusion
Check the Moon Phase Before Observing and Photographing November Deep-Sky Objects
For faint deep-sky objects, the darker the sky, the better. Bright moonlight reduces contrast and can wash out galaxies and diffuse nebulae, both visually and in photographs.
In November 2026, the New Moon occurs on November 9 at 07:02 UTC, making the nights around November 9 the best time of the month for observing and photographing faint DSOs. The Full Moon falls on November 24 at 14:53 UTC, so the nights around this date are not well-suited for observing faint galaxies and diffuse nebulae.
For the Moon’s illumination, moonrise, and moonset times at your location, check our online Moon calendar.
Best November Deep-Sky Objects Visible to the Naked Eye
No special equipment? No problem! Some of November’s brightest deep-sky objects can be seen without any optical aid — from glowing star clusters to entire galaxies visible as soft patches of light in the dark sky.
Hyades
- Alternative names: Melotte 25, Caldwell 41, Collinder 50
- Object type: Open star cluster
- Apparent size: 5°30′ (11 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 0.5
- Constellation: Taurus
- Best viewed from: Both hemispheres
The Hyades is the nearest major open star cluster to Earth, located about 150 light-years away. Its stars form the familiar V-shaped face of Taurus. From our perspective, bright orange Aldebaran appears inside the cluster, although it is actually much closer to Earth and not a true member of the Hyades.
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
The Hyades is so large that the naked eye or binoculars give a better overall view than a telescope. Under dark skies, the V-shaped pattern is easy to recognize.
For photography, use a camera with a standard or short telephoto lens. The cluster covers more than 10 Full Moon widths, so a narrow telescope field will crop out much of it. Including Aldebaran in the composition makes the characteristic V shape especially obvious.
Alpha Persei Cluster
- Alternative names: Melotte 20, Collinder 39
- Object type: Open star cluster
- Apparent size: about 6° (12 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: about 1.2
- Constellation: Perseus
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
The Alpha Persei Cluster is a large group of stars surrounding Mirfak, the brightest star in Perseus. It lies roughly 550–600 light-years away and spans a wide area of the sky.
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
The cluster can be seen with the naked eye from a dark location, although binoculars provide a much richer view and reveal many more stars in the cluster.
Its huge angular size makes it a natural target for wide-field astrophotography. Use a camera lens or a short-focal-length telescope rather than a long telescope so that Mirfak and the surrounding stars fit comfortably into the frame.
Small Magellanic Cloud
- Alternative names: SMC, NGC 292
- Object type: Dwarf galaxy
- Apparent size: about 5° × 3° (10 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: about 2
- Constellation: Tucana
- Best viewed from: Southern Hemisphere
The Small Magellanic Cloud is a dwarf irregular galaxy positioned about 200,000 light-years away from us. It’s one of the nearest external galaxies and an easy naked-eye target from the Southern Hemisphere.
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
The Small Magellanic Cloud is easily visible without optical aid from dark locations. Binoculars reveal the galaxy’s irregular shape and uneven glow.
Its large apparent size makes it excellent for wide-field astrophotography. A camera lens or short refractor can capture the SMC alongside nearby 47 Tucanae, creating a classic southern-sky composition.
47 Tucanae
- Alternative names: NGC 104, Caldwell 106
- Object type: Globular star cluster
- Apparent size: about 30′ (1.0 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 4.0
- Constellation: Tucana
- Best viewed from: Southern Hemisphere
47 Tucanae is one of the brightest and largest globular clusters in the sky, located about 13,000 light-years away. It’s a favorite southern-sky object and is often featured in wide-field astrophotography of the SMC region.
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
Under dark southern skies, 47 Tucanae appears to the naked eye as a small hazy patch. Binoculars make it much easier to see, while a telescope begins to resolve individual stars around its outer regions.
It is one of the most impressive southern astrophotography targets in November. Moderate or long focal lengths can resolve the packed stellar field, but avoid overexposing the bright central core.
Best November Deep-Sky Objects to See With Binoculars
The following targets are either too faint or too compact to appreciate well with the naked eye but become accessible with ordinary binoculars. Some also look excellent through a small telescope.
M34
- Alternative names: NGC 1039
- Object type: Open star cluster
- Apparent size: about 35′ (1.2 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 5.2–5.5
- Constellation: Perseus
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
M34 is a bright open cluster about 1,500 light-years away. It contains around several hundred stars spread across an area slightly larger than the Full Moon.
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
Under exceptionally dark skies, M34 can potentially be seen with the naked eye, but binoculars are the easiest way to find the cluster. A small telescope at low magnification will resolve many more stars.
For photography, M34 is an easy target. A small telescope or telephoto lens can frame it comfortably, and you don’t need extremely long exposures to record its brightest members.
M103
- Alternative names: NGC 581
- Object type: Open star cluster
- Apparent size: about 6′ (0.2 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 7.4
- Constellation: Cassiopeia
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
M103 is a compact open cluster in Cassiopeia. It has a distinctive triangular or fan-like shape and lies within a rich Milky Way star field.
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
You can spot M103 in 10×50 binoculars, although a telescope will resolve its stars much more clearly. Its location near Ruchbah makes the cluster relatively easy to find.
To capture M103, use a moderate focal length to include some of the dense surrounding star fields of Cassiopeia in a wider composition.
NGC 362
- Alternative names: Caldwell 104
- Object type: Globular star cluster
- Apparent size: about 13′ (0.4 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 6.5
- Constellation: Tucana
- Best viewed from: Southern Hemisphere
NGC 362 is a globular cluster located at about 30,000 light-years from Earth. It’s a relatively young globular cluster for the Milky Way (about 10–11 billion years old).
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
Under dark skies, NGC 362 appears as a small, fuzzy patch in ordinary binoculars. A small telescope shows its bright central region more clearly; a larger telescope is needed to begin resolving individual stars around the edges.
For photography, a telescope with a moderate focal length works well for capturing the cluster itself. A wider field can also capture NGC 362 alongside the nearby Small Magellanic Cloud.
Best November Deep-Sky Objects to See Through a Telescope
November offers several deep-sky targets that reveal their true beauty only through a telescope and a camera with longer exposures. These objects are fainter, smaller, or have lower surface brightness.
Phantom Galaxy
- Alternative names: M74, NGC 628
- Object type: Spiral galaxy
- Apparent size: about 10′ × 10′ (0.3 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: about 9.5
- Constellation: Pisces
- Best viewed from: Both hemispheres
The Phantom Galaxy is a large spiral galaxy located about 32 million light-years away from Earth. Due to its face-on orientation and well-defined spiral arms, it has become a popular target among professional astronomers who study the origin and structure of spiral galaxies.
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
For visual observing, use a telescope under a dark, moonless sky. A small telescope may reveal the brighter central region, but a larger aperture increases your chances of detecting the galaxy’s faint outer glow.
For astrophotography, the Phantom Galaxy is far more rewarding. Long total exposure time can reveal its spiral arms and star-forming regions. A medium- or long-focal-length telescope is better suited than a wide-field setup.
NGC 1097
- Alternative names: Caldwell 67, Arp 77
- Object type: Barred spiral galaxy
- Apparent size: about 9′ × 6′ (0.3 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: about 10
- Constellation: Fornax
- Best viewed from: Southern Hemisphere
NGC 1097 is a barred spiral galaxy about 45–50 million light-years away. It has a bright central bar, an active nucleus, and prominent curved spiral arms.
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
A telescope is required to see NGC 1097 visually. Under dark southern skies, its bright central region is accessible, while the fainter spiral structure is much more difficult to detect.
For astrophotography, use a medium- or long-focal-length telescope. Longer integration time will help to reveal the bar, spiral arms, and faint outer structure.
Cleopatra’s Eye Nebula
- Alternative names: NGC 1535
- Object type: Planetary nebula
- Apparent size: about 20″ (0.01 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: 9.6
- Constellation: Eridanus
- Best viewed from: Both hemispheres
Cleopatra’s Eye (NGC 1535) is a compact planetary nebula formed from gas expelled by a dying star. Its small size and relatively high surface brightness make it a rewarding high-magnification target.
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
Use a telescope at moderate or high magnification to distinguish Cleopatra’s Eye from nearby stars. Under good conditions, you may notice its small blue-green disk.
For photography, the main challenge is its tiny apparent size. A long-focal-length telescope and good atmospheric seeing are more important here than a wide field.
Heart Nebula
- Alternative names: IC 1805, Sh2-190
- Object type: Emission nebula
- Apparent size: about 2.5° × 2.5° (5 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: not reliably established
- Constellation: Cassiopeia
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
The Heart Nebula is a large emission nebula located 7,500 light-years away from Earth. The nebula’s distinctive shape is created by stellar winds blowing from the hot stars in its center.
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
The Heart Nebula has very low surface brightness, making it difficult to observe visually. A dark sky, wide-field telescope, and nebula filter give you the best chance of detecting parts of it.
For astrophotography, however, IC 1805 is one of November’s standout targets. Its large size favors a wide-field telescope or telephoto lens, while H-alpha or dual-band filters bring out the nebula strongly. A sufficiently wide field can also include the nearby Soul Nebula.
NGC 1333
- Alternative names: Ced 16, Embryo Nebula
- Object type: Reflection nebula
- Apparent size: about 6′ × 3′ (0.2 × Moon)
- Apparent magnitude: about 10–11
- Constellation: Perseus
- Best viewed from: Northern Hemisphere
NGC 1333 is a reflection nebula and active stellar nursery in the Perseus molecular cloud, located about 1,000 light-years away. Its blue reflection nebulosity is surrounded by dark dust and young stars.
Tips for Observing and Astrophotography
NGC 1333 is a difficult visual target. A telescope and genuinely dark sky are needed to detect its brightest nebulosity, and moonless conditions help considerably.
For astrophotography, the target is much richer. Broadband imaging can reveal blue reflection nebulosity together with the dark dusty structures surrounding it.
Deep-Sky Objects in November: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a deep-sky object?
The term “deep-sky object” (DSO) is mostly used by amateur astronomers to denote astronomical objects outside the Solar System that are not individual stars. DSOs include galaxies, nebulae (emission, reflection, dark), supernova remnants, and star clusters (open and globular).
What deep-sky objects can I see without a telescope in November?
Several of the brightest November deep-sky objects are visible with the naked eye under suitable conditions. These include the Hyades, Alpha Persei Cluster, 47 Tucanae, and Small Magellanic Cloud. Their visibility depends strongly on your latitude and local light pollution.
What are the best November astrophotography targets?
Good beginner-friendly targets include the Hyades, Alpha Persei Cluster, M34, 47 Tucanae, and Small Magellanic Cloud.
For more advanced astrophotography, try the Heart Nebula, Phantom Galaxy, NGC 1097, NGC 1333, or Cleopatra’s Eye Nebula.
The right target also depends on your equipment: huge objects such as the Hyades and Heart Nebula are widefield astrophotography targets, while compact objects such as Cleopatra’s Eye benefit from a long focal length.
What is a galaxy?
A galaxy is a vast system of stars, gas, dust, and dark matter bound together by gravity. Galaxies come in many shapes and sizes — spiral, elliptical, or irregular. One of the most famous examples is the Andromeda Galaxy, our nearest large galactic neighbor, visible to the naked eye from the Northern Hemisphere. Our own Milky Way is also a spiral galaxy that contains hundreds of billions of stars, including the Sun.
What is a nebula?
A nebula is a giant cloud of gas and dust in space. Some nebulae, like the Orion Nebula and Heart Nebula, are regions of star formation, while planetary nebulae, such as Cleopatra’s Eye, form from gas expelled by dying stars. Depending on their composition and how they interact with starlight, nebulae can appear as emission, reflection, or dark types.
What is a star cluster?
A star cluster is a group of stars that formed from the same molecular cloud and remain bound by gravity. There are two main types: open clusters (like the Pleiades), which contain young stars loosely arranged, and globular clusters (like 47 Tucanae), which are densely packed and much older.
What do the letters NGC and M mean?
These letters come from astronomical catalogs — lists that help astronomers identify and organize objects in the night sky. M stands for the Messier Catalog, created by the French astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th century. It includes some of the most famous objects visible from the Northern Hemisphere, such as the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and the Orion Nebula (M42). NGC means New General Catalogue, compiled later in the 19th century.
If you’d like to know more about how these catalogs were created and how astronomers use them today, check our article on the basic astronomical catalogs.
How to find deep-sky objects tonight?
The easiest way to quickly locate a deep-sky target is to use the Sky Tonight astronomy app. To find the object you’re interested in, tap the magnifier icon on the main screen, type the object’s name or catalog designation (for instance, “Pleiades” or “M45”) in the search field, and tap the blue target icon. The app will return you to the main screen and show the object’s current position on the sky map. Point your device up and follow the white arrow to see where the object is in the sky above you. You can also activate the AR mode by tapping the big blue button at the bottom right corner of the screen.
How to Observe Deep-Sky Objects: Useful Tips
Here are some tips to improve your observing experience:
-
Plan your observing session beforehand. It’s good to pick a night when the sky will be dark for a long time. This is especially important for astrophotographers – the shooting process can take up to several hours. The “Sky” tab in the Sky Tonight’s calendar is helpful for planning (watch this video and learn all the features of the calendar).
-
Make a list of deep-sky objects that are visible from your location. Include details like their location, brightness, and the best time to observe them. Use star charts, astronomy books, online resources, and astronomical apps. With the help of Sky Tonight, you can get the list of objects you can observe from your location in a few seconds. Tap the telescope icon at the bottom of the screen to get to the Visible Tonight section. You can adjust the filter so that only deep-sky objects are displayed and then sort them by type, in alphabetical order, by date, or by magnitude.
-
To observe deep-sky objects, it's best to be in a location with minimal light pollution. The darker the sky, the more you will be able to see. Deep-sky objects are often faint and can take time to locate and observe. Be patient and allow your eyes to adjust to the darkness. Also, use averted vision – a special technique that is helpful while observing some faint targets.
-
Use a red flashlight while adjusting your equipment. This will help preserve your night vision.
-
Make sure to dress warmly and bring hot drinks: it can get cold at night, especially if you're standing still for long periods.
Deep-Sky Objects in November: Conclusion
November offers deep-sky targets for every level of observer. You can see the Hyades, Alpha Persei Cluster, 47 Tucanae, and Small Magellanic Cloud with the naked eye, explore M34, M103, and NGC 362 with binoculars, and use a telescope for more challenging objects such as the Phantom Galaxy, NGC 1097, Cleopatra’s Eye, Heart Nebula, and NGC 1333.
Many of the same objects also make excellent astrophotography targets, from huge wide-field clusters to compact galaxies and nebulae.
For the darkest skies in November 2026, plan your observations around the November 9 New Moon, and use Sky Tonight to find each target and choose the best observing time for your location.
Best observing and astrophotography targets by month: year-ahead calendar
Deep-sky wonders aren’t limited to November. Discover what the universe has to offer each month with our guides to deep-sky objects:
