Deep-Sky Section

Section Director: Colin Steyn
Programmes: Deep-Sky Marathons, Big 5 of the African Sky, ASSA Top-100 Deep-Sky Objects, Bennett Catalogue, Dunlop’s Catalogue, La Caille’s Catalogue
Publications: Deep Sky Bulletin
Awards: Big 5 Honour Roll, Observing Pins
Specialists & Collaborators: Auke Slotegraaf, Magda Streicher, Hannes Pieterse (Big 5 & Marathons), Carol Botha (Big 5)
Contact us: [ deepskyassa.saao.ac.za ]

Introduction

Beyond the Sun, Moon and planets lie the stars of our Galaxy. Some are grouped together in clusters, others are spread out along the plane of the Galaxy along its spiral arms, a region rich in nebulae (vast clouds of gas and dust). Far beyond our Galaxy we encounter other galaxies, clusters of galaxies and quasars. These objects – galaxies, star clusters and nebulae – are what deep-sky observers study. (Historically, no distinction was made between what we today call nebulae, and galaxies – these “faint fuzzies” were lumped together as ‘nebulae’.) To find out more about these objects, visit the “Observing deep-sky objects” page.

Deep-Sky Observing Challenges

Take up the challenge and observe the glorious objects on these lists:

Virtual Observing Pins

Observers who reach certain observing milestones are awarded virtual observing pins: a graphic that is created uniquely for you, officially hosted on the ASSA website, that you can link to and embed in online media to show off your achievement.

ConCard Updates

A new version (1.5) of the ConCards was release on 2014 October 01. It now includes a rough all-sky map of the Milky Way to aid in identifying the most wonderful portions of our home galaxy. Download the latest edition as a 4.2-Meg PDF file.

Deep-Sky Essays

In addition to Nightfall, and Southern Skies, here are some more deep-sky essays, many by veteran observer Magda Streicher, for your enjoyment:

  1. Comet Lovejoy and Messier’s Black Sheep – 2014 December
  2. NGC 6656 (Messier 22) Observing Report – October 2014
  3. A selection of sketches by Carol Botha – January 2014
  4. Hydra, the Multi-headed Serpent – 2013
  5. Two fishes in the Starry Sea – 2013
  6. Her name is Virgo – 2013
  7. The Painter’s World – 2013
  8. Celestial Home of Stars – 2013
  9. Scutum the Protective Shield – 2012
  10. Mythical Monoceros – Unicorn of the Skies – 2012
  11. Cetus a Monster Whale – 2012
  12. The Proud Indian – 2012
  13. The Useful Triangle – 2012
  14. A Misty Cloud – 2011
  15. A Misty Cloud on our Doorstep – 2011
  16. Fornax An Oven Full of Fuzzies – 2011
  17. Ophiuchus, the Herb Healer – 2011
  18. Columba, the Dove – 2011
  19. Lepus – a Storybook Rabbit – 2011
  20. A Flame rises from the Altar – 2010
  21. Antlia the Machine Pneumatique – 2010
  22. Grus – an Elegant Starry Bird – 2010
  23. Pavo – a Fanciful Bird – 2010
  24. The Ancient Starry Ship – 2010
  25. A Compass Pointing South – 2010
  26. The never changing Chamaeleon – 2010
  27. The Taurus Giants – 2009
  28. A Spyglass Telescope – 2009
  29. Reticulum: The Celestial Crosshairs – 2009
  30. Plough northwards, to the Big Dipper – 2009
  31. Circinus – a Handy Tool – 2009
  32. The Pendulum Clock – 2009
  33. A dolphin in Durban – 2008
  34. Centaurus, a constellation like no other – 2008
  35. The Southern Queen’s Crown – 2008
  36. A Crow named Corvus – 2008
  37. The Sculptor’s feast in art – 2008
  38. Unique Clusters in the Starry Ship – 2008
  39. Canis Major the trusty Dog – 2007
  40. Heading for the pole – 2007
  41. Crux, our Southern heritage – 2007
  42. Tiny bat vs mighty Eagle – 2007
  43. Lupus, a wild animal – 2007
  44. Aquarius, the Watering Can Man – 2007
  45. Star Birds of Paradise – 2006
  46. Scorpius, the winter bug – 2006
  47. Sailing along River Eridani – 2006
  48. Rings around Lyra – 2006
  49. Musca, the Heavenly Fly – 2006
  50. Treasures of Orion – 2006
  51. Caroline Herschel’s deepsky discoveries – 2005