SkyEye

Aquarius

Messier Objects

M2 is a globular cluster which is easily visible through binoculars. Another globular cluster, M72, is difficult to resolve even through a telescope. It is close by one of the most puzzling of the Messier objects, M73, a group of four stars.

Other Deep Sky Objects

NGC 7009, or the Saturn Nebula as it is popularly called, is a planetary nebula. Another planetary nebula, NGC 7293 or the Helix Nebula, is possibly the closest such object to the Sun. A small telescope is needed to see the first object whilst binoculars will suffice for the second.

Luyten 789-6 is one of the closest stars to the Sun. It lies just over 11 light years away and shines at a feeble twelfth magnitude.

Stars With (Un)Common Names

alpha

Sadalmelik

beta

Sadalsuud

gamma

Sadalachbia

delta

Skat

epsilon

Albali

theta

Ancha

kappa

Situla

Meteor Shower Radiants

The Delta Aquarids are of medium speed but are mostly faint. The parent comet of this shower is unknown but may be the same one that produced the Quadrantids in Boötes. The southern and northern branches of this shower are usually lumped together and their radiant is near the star Skat.

Up to half ot the fast, bright Eta Aquarids leave trains. Associated with the famous comet 1P/Halley, their radiant is near eta Aquarii.

Sky Charts

• 0100 Hours Sidereal Time (45° North)
• 0300 Hours Sidereal Time (45° North)
• 1700 Hours Sidereal Time (45° North)
• 1900 Hours Sidereal Time (45° North)
• 2100 Hours Sidereal Time (45° North)
• 2300 Hours Sidereal Time (45° North)

• 0100 Hours Sidereal Time (30° South)
• 0300 Hours Sidereal Time (30° South)
• 0500 Hours Sidereal Time (30° South)
• 1700 Hours Sidereal Time (30° South)
• 1900 Hours Sidereal Time (30° South)
• 2100 Hours Sidereal Time (30° South)
• 2300 Hours Sidereal Time (30° South)

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Last modified on 1 January 2007