7 deep-sky targets we think you should observe this spring
The bright stars and constellations that dominate the night sky at the turn of the year are much appreciated, from Orion and its spectacular nebula M42, to the very bright Sirius and the open cluster Pleiades. However, all of these gems exist in the Orion Spur of the Milky Way – the same spiral arm that our own solar system inhabits. But as the sky turns and the stars of Mars rise in the east, they bring with them a clear view away from the Milky Way – and into the realm of galaxies.
Although there are visible galaxies in the night sky, there is a dense concentration within (but ultimately behind) the constellations Leo, Virgo, and Coma Berenice. Add nearby Canes Venatici and Ursa Major in the northern sky, and the stage is set for galaxy season – when all you need is one of the best telescopes or the best telescopes for beginners, observing when your target is 30 degrees or more above the horizon. Or you can invest in one of the best smart telescopes to see these faint but spectacular targets in real-time images sent directly to your smartphone.
From a string of distant galaxies and spirals to edge-on views and more, here’s everything you need to know about galaxy season: the best targets, the best time to see them, and the type of optics you’ll need.
Article continues below
1. Whirlpool Galaxy (M51 and NGC 5195)
At 31 million light years from the Milky Way, M51 in Canes Venatici is an excellent example of a faint galaxy (magnitude 8.4) accessible in modest apertures, but truly shines in larger expanses. It looks spectacular in the best smart telescopes. For example, train the ZWO Seestar S50 smart telescope on it and you will get a clear view of this grandly designed spiral galaxy appearing on your smartphone after just a few seconds. You’ll immediately see its spiral structure from the front – it was the first to be classified as a spiral galaxy – but if you have the patience to take in more images, you’ll also see the small galaxy NGC 5195, which sits at the end of one of M51’s spiral arms.
2. Bode’s galaxy and the cigar galaxy (M81 and M82)
These two neighboring galaxies of the Big Dipper are icons of the northern night sky. Best observed in spring, the Bode Galaxy (M81, a magnitude 6.94 spiral galaxy) and the Cigar Galaxy (M82, a magnitude 8.41 starburst galaxy) are usually observed and photographed together. As a bonus, they make a great target for beginners, with a 660mm focal length refractor, like the Celestron Inspire 100AZ, enough to give you a glimpse under dark skies.
3. Pinwheel Galaxy (M101)
Large but not very bright on the surface, the M101’s sprawling arms demand dark skies. The Vaonis Vespera II smart telescope excels at automatically stacking faint deep-sky targets, even in light-polluted areas. If you want to get a little more serious, the Celestron Advanced VX 8 Edge HD is well suited to distinguishing weak structure when paired with a DSLR or dedicated astro camera for stacked exposures.
4. Leo Triplet (M65, M66 and NGC 3628)
For any observer dusting off a telescope or astrophotography rig to catch a glimpse of seasonal deep-sky objects, the Leo Triplet is always at the top of the list. Visible under the belly of Leo, the Lion, this is a unique opportunity to get three galaxies in a single image. The Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory produces sharp, colorful images of the deep sky with minimal setup, making it ideal for capturing the full trio in a single composition.
5. The whale and the hockey stick (NGC 4631 and NGC 4656)
Here’s an elongated edge-on spiral in the constellation Canes Venatici that resembles a breaching whale (NGC 4631), with a flatter galaxy (NGC 4656) nearby to add interest. The Celestron NexStar Evolution 9.25 provides the aperture needed to show off its stretched profile, while the Unistellar eVscope 2 will stack images to reveal structure even from suburban skies – although you’ll need to let it do its thing for at least an hour.
6. Markarian Chain and Virgo Cluster
Located on the border between the constellations Virgo and Coma Berenice, this cluster of a dozen galaxies seemingly on a string extends about 1.5 degrees of the night sky, or a little more than the width of your little finger at arm’s length. The brightest are M84 and M86, while the Eyes galaxies (NGC 4435 and NGC 4438) are apparently linked and interacting. The Skywatcher Evostar 80ED is a good choice for observation and astrophotography, the latter when paired with a dedicated astro-camera.
7. Sombrero Galaxy (M104)
About 28 million light-years away in the Milky Way, in the constellation Virgo, we see this iconic galaxy almost edge-on, with noticeable starlight coming from its core. It is best observed in May, with a small telescope like the Celestron NexStar 127SLT, which offers sharp, high-contrast views of its bright central bulge.
The “Messier Marathon”
Galaxy season is also a great time to attempt the annual Messier Marathon, an intense dusk-to-dawn observing challenge. The goal is to locate as many of the 110 deep-sky objects as possible in the catalog of 18th-century French astronomer Charles Messier in a single night. Most of the galaxies listed above – from M51 to M104 – are essential stops along the way.
A sort of rite of passage for amateur astronomers, the sweet spot is usually between mid-March and early April, with the best weekends in 2026 being March 14-15 and March 21-22. Observers start in the west with views of M74, M77, M33, and M31 (the Andromeda Galaxy) before setting, and progress east toward the Virgo Cluster, finishing in the east before dawn. A GoTo or smart telescope will make the task much easier and faster, but for purists, it’s a great opportunity to get to know your telescope and the night sky.
