{"id":27220,"date":"2021-12-07T13:16:14","date_gmt":"2021-12-07T13:16:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/?p=42990"},"modified":"2021-12-07T13:43:13","modified_gmt":"2021-12-07T13:43:13","slug":"12-sights-of-christmas-festive-astronomy-observing-targets","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/12-sights-of-christmas-festive-astronomy-observing-targets\/","title":{"rendered":"12 sights of Christmas: festive astronomy observing targets"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Brother Guy Consolmagno\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 07 December 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Christmas time is a great time for astronomy. Nights are long and dark, making for good stretches of conditions perfect for observing deep-sky celestial targets.<\/p>\n

And the likelihood is that many people will be receiving their first telescope<\/a>\u00a0on Christmas morning, while more experienced observers may find a telescope upgrade<\/a> or some fancy new astronomy accessories<\/a> in their stockings.<\/p>\n

Below we\u2019ve selected 12 Christmas deep-sky objects, easily seen through an 8-inch (200mm) telescope, perfect for some good observing over the festive period.<\/p>\n

The targets will be best seen under very dark skies, so if you find light pollution<\/a> to be a problem, get yourself to a dark-sky site, provided it\u2019s safe to do so and within current government guidelines.<\/p>\n

Most of them can also be observed with smaller telescopes, especially if the sky is good and dark. Some are particularly nice in binoculars<\/a>, and a few can even be seen with the naked eye.<\/p>\n

Use our chart below to help you find the objects in the night sky. For detailed directions on how to find them consult your favourite planetarium software (such as Stellarium<\/a>), star atlas, astronomy app<\/a> or a good astronomy guide book.<\/p>\n

Happy observing, enjoy the holiday, and \u2013 most importantly \u2013 clear skies!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\""Use\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Use this chart to locate the 12 objects over the Christmas period. Credit: BBC Sky at Night Magazine<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

12 astronomy targets to view at Christmas<\/strong><\/h2>\n
1<\/span>

Andromeda Galaxy, M31<\/h3>\n<\/div>
\""View\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
View of the Andromeda Galaxy through an 8-inch telescope, 40x magnification. Credit: Michael Vlasov<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n