Astronomy Magazine Astrophotography Contest Now accepting entries!
Learn more
Skip to content
Astronomy Magazine logo
  • Login / Register
  • Logout
  • Shop
  • Subscribe

  • News
  • Science
    • Solar System
    • Exoplanets
    • Stars
    • Milky Way
    • Galaxies
    • Exotic Objects
    • Cosmology
  • Observing
    • In The Sky
    • Upcoming Events
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Comets
    • Deep-Sky Objects
    • Observing Basics
    • Telescopes and Equipment
    • Astrophotography
    • Gear Guide
    • This Week in Astronomy
  • Space Exploration
    • What’s Launching This Week
    • Human Spaceflight
    • Robotic Spaceflight
  • The Magazine
  • Ask Astro
  • Star Products
  • News
  • Science
    • Solar System
    • Exoplanets
    • Stars
    • Milky Way
    • Galaxies
    • Exotic Objects
    • Cosmology
  • Observing
    • In The Sky
    • Upcoming Events
    • The Sun
    • The Moon
    • Planets
    • Comets
    • Deep-Sky Objects
    • Observing Basics
    • Telescopes and Equipment
    • Astrophotography
    • Gear Guide
    • This Week in Astronomy
  • Space Exploration
    • What’s Launching This Week
    • Human Spaceflight
    • Robotic Spaceflight
  • The Magazine
  • Ask Astro
  • Star Products
  • Login / Register
  • Logout
  • Shop
  • Subscribe

See Dave Eicher’s favorite deep-sky objects (part 1)

Astronomy's editor shares several nebulae, galaxies, and clusters he enjoys observing.
By David J. Eicher | Published: January 1, 2010 | Last updated on May 18, 2023

Up Next

  • A telescopic photograph of the Whale Galaxy (NGC 4631), an edge-on spiral galaxy appearing as a long, thin streak of blue and white light with a bright, mottled core, set against a black sky filled with foreground stars. A smaller companion galaxy is visible just above the main galaxy near the center of the image.
    Observing

    The Sky Today on Saturday, May 16: Whale watching

  • An image of the Milky Way night sky taken through a modified DSLR
    Astrophotography, Observing

    Modifying your DSLR for astrophotography

  • A golden Full Moon in a dark blue sky seen through the branches of a foreground tree.
    Observing, The Moon

    2026 Full Moon calendar: When to see the Full Moon and phases

  • Jupiter and moons on May 15, 2026, at 11:30 P.M. EDT
    Observing

    The Sky Today on Friday, May 15: A double shadow transit at Jupiter

  • A crescent moon glowing brightly against a deep dark blue night sky, flanked by two planets, Jupiter and Venus, visible as small bright points — one to the upper left and one to the lower right.
    Sky This Week, The Sky This Week

    The Sky This Week from May 15 to 22: The Moon greets Jupiter and Venus

  • The sky on May 14, 2026, 1 hour before sunrise, looking east
    Observing

    The Sky Today on Thursday, May 14: The Moon and Mars in the morning

  • Observing

    The Sky Today on Wednesday, May 13: Venus grabs the Bull by the horns

  • A face-on spiral galaxy sits near the center of the frame, its bright, compact core surrounded by two broad, curving arms mottled with pale blue and pinkish patches. A smaller, hazier companion galaxy clings to the outer edge of one arm, slightly offset and to the side, where their halos appear to blend. The scene is set against a dark background sprinkled with faint foreground stars and a few tiny, distant galaxies.
    Deep-Sky Objects, This Week in Astronomy

    Fall into the Whirlpool Galaxy

  • Observing

    The Sky Today on Tuesday, May 12: A new view of the Moon

Astronomy Newsletter

Get newsletters, updates and special offers via email from Astronomy.com!

Please enter a valid email address.

Astronomy magazine: 50 years and counting

Astronomy leads the astronomy hobby as the most popular magazine of its kind in the world. Get information about subscriptions, digital editions, renewals, advertising and much, much more.

Count me in

FREE DOWNLOAD

All About the Apollo Mission

Get it now
Astronomy Magazine logo
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Customer Service
  • Advertising
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell

@ 2025 Firecrown Media. All Rights Reserved.

More Sites from Firecrown Media Publisher logo
Scroll to Top

Sign In

New User? Create an Account

Why Sign In? Subscribers can access their digital magazine issues, and registered users can participate in our Community forums and galleries.

Please enter your email.
Please enter your password.

Lost your password?

Manage My AccountCustomer Support