110 targets
catalog
Messier Grid
The classic 110-object deep-sky collection.
Progress carries across matching targets.
Level
intermediate
Season
All year
Done
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Grids
Choose your next sky grid
Progress follows the object, so the same capture can count across curated grids.
Launch
Catalog path
Start with the classic full Messier collection.
Beginner
First steps
Shorter grids that make it easier to build momentum before a full catalog.
20 targets
beginner
First Light
20 bright beginner targets across the year.
Works with short refractors, smart telescopes, camera lenses, and modest tracking.
Level
beginner
Season
All year
Done
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Seasonal
Current-season targets
Focused grids for the sky that is easiest to work right now.
15 targets
seasonal
Summer Showcase
15 warm-season nebulae, clusters, and Cygnus fields.
Narrowband filters help, but several targets remain friendly in broadband.
Level
intermediate
Season
Summer
Done
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Themes
Iconic target sets
Recognizable nebula and galaxy collections that prove capture reuse across grids.
20 targets
theme
20 Most Famous Nebulae
A cross-catalog highlight reel of iconic nebulae.
A mix of broadband, narrowband, wide-field, and focal-length-dependent targets.
Level
intermediate
Season
All year
Done
-
20 targets
theme
20 Most Famous Galaxies
The external galaxies most imagers recognize.
Longer focal lengths and dark skies help for the smaller galaxies and groups.
Level
advanced
Season
Spring and fall
Done
-
20 targets
theme
Seeing Double
20 famous double, double-double, and multiple-star targets.
Short exposures, careful focus, good seeing, and enough image scale matter more than dark skies for most targets.
Level
intermediate
Season
All year
Done
-
Curated
Curated target lists
Trust-reviewed routes for equipment, sky conditions, and long-term challenges.
100 targets
challenge
100 Best Targets
A startable life-list that blends Messier anchors with iconic NGC, IC, and Sharpless targets.
Night Sky Grid · Wide field / Mid focal length
Level
intermediate
Season
All year
Done
-
24 targets
theme
IC Wide-Field Starter
A followable IC-heavy route through large nebulae, nearby galaxies, and beginner-friendly framing projects.
Night Sky Grid · Wide field / Dual narrowband
Level
beginner
Season
Fall and winter emphasis
Done
-
24 targets
narrowband
Sharpless Emission Run
A narrowband-ready list for imagers who want a clean route into Sharpless HII regions.
Night Sky Grid · Narrowband / Dual narrowband
Level
advanced
Season
Milky Way seasons
Done
-
30 targets
urban
Urban Sky Favorites
Bright, recognizable targets that still make sense when the sky is compromised.
Night Sky Grid · Urban / Smart telescope
Level
beginner
Season
All year
Done
-
24 targets
narrowband
Narrowband Starters
A clean first narrowband route through emission nebulae and planetary nebulae.
Night Sky Grid · Narrowband / Emission
Level
intermediate
Season
Summer through winter
Done
-
30 targets
beginner
Smart Telescope Showpieces
Compact, satisfying targets for Seestar, Dwarf, Vaonis, Unistellar, and small automated rigs.
Night Sky Grid · Smart telescope / Short focal length
Level
beginner
Season
All year
Done
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