Constellations listed with a grey background are never visible from most of South Africa

A vast spiral galaxy, well tilted to the line of sight. Twice as massive as our Milky Way Galaxy. Most distant object generally visible to the naked eye. Also visible is a smaller companion galaxy, NGC 205 M110 (below the disk) and NGC 221 M32 (along upper rim of the disk). This is the nearest big spiral galaxy to ours, also a member of the Local Group. It is 2.9 million ly distant and has a diameter of about 170000ly. Through binoculars under good conditions, it stretches over 3°.

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A bright planetary nebula, named for its visual similarity to the Planet Saturn. At some 39000 ly distance, it subtends 30"x26".

Compact and fairly dense, this is one of the richer globulars. Within it are mostly red and yellow giants. About 100000 stars are packed into a space of 400 ly. At 40000 ly distance, it subtends 12'.

One of the closest planetary nebulae, also one of the apparently largest planetaries known. At a distance of 150 to 450 ly, it subtends an enormous 12'x16' (about half the size of the Moon). Although quite bright, its light is spread over this large area so not an easy object for visual observing, but it can be seen in binoculars.

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Has a fairly dense stellar population - a fine object in even small telescopes. Lying at a distance of about 24000 ly, it subtends 9'.

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Nearly a twin of M2, it is unusual in that it contains a planetary nebula. This rich globular is visible in binoculars.

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Best example of an edge-on spiral galaxy,  the nearest starburst spiral galaxy. Called a "starburst" galaxy because of the extremely high rate of star formation taking place in its core. Among the brightest of galaxies visible, it can be discerned in binoculars. Apparent dimensions are 25' x 7'.

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Clockwise-swirling spiral with wildly spinning arms.  After Andromeda and the Milky Way, this is the largest member of the Local Group. At 2.2 to 2.9 million ly, it is also the second-closest spiral to us. Although its diameter of almost 1° is large, its surface brightness is low so it is difficult to observe. Binoculars or a telescope with a wide field will help.

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Second only to Omega Centauri as the largest, brightest and most spectacular naked-eye globular clusters. Some would argue it is the best. It can be seen with the naked eye. It lies at a distance of some 13000 to 20000 ly. Its brightest stars are Mv 11.5, necessitating a telescope to separate them.

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