Astronomy - What to see from Melbourne in Spring?
In addition to the objects below:
Objects transiting the meridian:
from Astron. Soc. NSW website
Messier objects and similar:
M15 - large, bright globular cluster mag. 6.0 lies near the border of Pegasus and the tiny constellation Equuleus
M2 - bright globular cluster mag. 6.5 in Aquarius
NGC 7009, the "Saturn Nebula" in Aquarius, a bright planetary nebula with a visual magnitude of 8.3
M30 - bright and interesting globular cluster Mag 7.3 in the southeastern corner of the constellation Capricornus
Messier objects and similar:
M31 - the Andromeda Galaxy - good in binoculars but low on northern horizon, better seen from more northern latitudes
the spectacular "Trio in Grus" are worth tracking down. Comprising three quite bright, elongated galaxies, NGC 7582, NGC 7590 and NGC 75999 close enough for all to be within a single eyepiece field, this is one of the high points in this constellation.
47 Tuc - near the SMC, and easily visible to the naked eye at almost 4th magnitude, this object was originally mistaken for a star and given the stellar designation 47 Tuc. Now, often known by that name, it is recognised as the superb globular cluster NGC 104. A wonderful sight in any scope, to many it provides the greatest spectacle of all the globulars. It resolves into tens of thousands of tiny stars that form a wonderfully wide, almost circular edge. Many of the stars show orange and yellowish hues, making the whole object seem alive with colour, which is most unusual with globular clusters.
Messier objects and similar:
NGC 253, the brightest of the Sculptor group, a massive elongated galaxy known in the USA as "The Silver Dollar Galaxy", it is a most impressive sight, especially when seen almost at the zenith.
Small Magelanic Cloud