M24 – Sagittarius Star Cloud
How about starting the new season with a star bath at the heart of our galaxy?
Located about 10,000 light-years away, M24 lies in the Sagittarius-Carina spiral arm of the Milky Way.
It contains several thousand stars — you’ll see young, blue ones and older ones with a reddish hue.
A perfect target to experience the density of our galaxy… and reflect on our place within it, as shown in this diagram.
Saturn
Saturn is visible all month long. It rises a bit earlier each night after sunset, gradually climbing higher in the sky.
It takes Saturn 29 years to orbit the Sun. During this cycle, the tilt of its rings changes from 27° to 0°.
This year, the rings appear flat — we’ll have to wait until 2032 to see them fully tilted again.
Tip: the quality of planetary observation depends heavily on the seeing — the atmospheric stability — which varies from place to place and night to night. Try observing over several nights to catch the sharpest view!
Cocoon Nebula
Very high in the northeastern sky, the Cocoon Nebula is an easy yet striking target.
Located in the constellation Cygnus, about 3,300 light-years away, it’s a region where stars are being born.
At its core, young stars are still emerging from their cocoon of gas.
A stunning sight to enjoy with your Unistellar telescope.
Cocoon Nebula: Photo Credit Yvan Arnaud
Happy stargazing with UNISTELLAR.
Further readings
3 Reasons to observe this month
On Jupiter: Imagine moons casting their shadows on a giant planet. Right now, Jupiter’s moons offer an exceptional show: eclipses visible even from urban areas. Each time a moon passes in front of the Sun, it creates a shadow that dances across Jupiter’s surface. Check our dedicated article to catch every passage of Io, Europa, or Ganymede.
Unistellar Community Included In Multiple Scientific Papers
Did you know Unistellar Citizen Astronomers are often cited in published scientific papers? Find out how you can contribute too!
When Is the Next Solar Eclipse, and How to Observe It With a Unistellar Telescope
An annular solar eclipse is visible from the Americas on October 14. Learn how to witness the Ring of Fire with your Unistellar Telescope!
Halloween Observing Guide: Spooky Deep-Sky Objects
These Halloween deep-sky objects will add some light to those dark, spooky nights. Treats, tricks, and telescopes await!
How Big Is the Solar System?
If the Sun were the size of a basketball, do you know how big the Earth would be? Find out how big the Solar System really is!
Fall Into Cygnus and More With September Deep-Sky Objects
Unistellar’s September targets include a bevy of star clusters and nebulae of all sorts. Celebrate stars in all stages of life this month!