In each constellation below, you’ll find some of the best deep-sky objects to observe and/or photograph during spring with a telescope, including their common names and catalogue numbers (e.g., Messier or NGC). The approximate angular size of each object is provided in arcminutes (‘) or arcseconds (“). When multiple objects form a well-known group or pair, these are highlighted as well.
The date given for “culmination at midnight” refers to when the constellation (and thus these objects) reaches its highest point in the sky around midnight local time, as seen from approximately 52° North latitude — which includes cities such as Amsterdam (Netherlands), Berlin (Germany), Warsaw (Poland), Brussels (Belgium), Manchester (UK), Dublin (Ireland), Prague (Czech Republic), Vienna (Austria), Calgary and Edmonton (Canada), Minsk (Belarus), and Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia). This means the objects will be at their highest altitude, offering the best viewing and imaging conditions around that date.
Altitude values indicate how high above the horizon the objects will appear at culmination, which helps you know if they’ll be easily observable or low near the horizon.
🔁 Year-Round, but Best in Spring: Ursa Major
Ursa Major is one of the most famous constellations in the northern sky, easily recognizable by its iconic Big Dipper asterism. It’s a circumpolar constellation for most mid-northern observers, meaning it never fully sets and is visible year-round. However, during springtime, Ursa Major climbs especially high around midnight, providing excellent conditions for photographing some of its stunning galaxies. This constellation hosts a rich collection of bright galaxies, including the well-known pair called Bode’s Galaxies (M81 and M82), which are popular targets for astrophotographers.
- Key Targets:
- M81 (Bode’s Galaxy) — 23′ x 11′
- M82 (Cigar Galaxy) — 11′ x 4′
- M101 (Pinwheel Galaxy) — 28′ x 27′
- M108 (Surfboard Galaxy) — 9′ x 2′
- M97 (Owl Nebula) — 4.8′ diameter
- NGC 2841 — 8.1′ x 3.5′
- NGC 3184 — 7.4′ x 6.9′
- NGC 3079 — 7′ x 1.4′
- Altitude at culmination (52°N): Up to 85° (near zenith)
- Culmination date at midnight: Around March 15
🔭 March to Early April: Galaxy Season Begins — Leo
Leo is a striking zodiac constellation that dominates the spring sky with its distinctive backward question mark shape, often called the “Sickle,” marking the lion’s mane. It lies along the ecliptic, making it an important constellation for both amateur and professional astronomers. Springtime is the perfect season to photograph Leo’s many bright galaxies, including the famous Leo Triplet, a close group of three interacting spiral galaxies. These galaxies offer beautiful targets for medium to high focal length telescopes, making Leo a favorite among deep-sky imagers.
- Key Targets:
- Leo Triplet:
- M65 — 9′ x 4′
- M66 — 9′ x 5′
- NGC 3628 — 16′ x 3′
- Leo Group:
- M95 — 5′ x 4′
- M96 — 6′ x 5′
- M105 — 5.6′ x 4.7′
- Leo Triplet:
- Altitude at culmination (52°N): Up to 65°
- Culmination date at midnight: Around March 25
🌌 April: Core Galaxy Season — Coma Berenices, Canes Venatici & Virgo
Coma Berenices
Coma Berenices is a relatively faint but rich constellation that holds a treasure trove of deep-sky objects, including some remarkable galaxies and star clusters. Named after the ancient Egyptian queen Berenice’s hair, this constellation is best viewed in spring when it reaches its highest point near midnight. Its proximity to the Virgo Cluster makes it an excellent gateway to galaxy hunting, especially for wide-field imaging. Among its highlights is the Needle Galaxy (NGC 4565), a spectacular edge-on spiral that is both beautiful and a great challenge for astrophotographers.
- Key Targets:
- Coma Star Cluster (Melotte 111) — ~280′ wide
- NGC 4565 (Needle Galaxy) — 16′ x 2′
- M64 (Black Eye Galaxy) — 10′ x 5.4′
- Altitude at culmination (52°N): Up to 75°
- Culmination date at midnight: Around April 10
Canes Venatici
Canes Venatici is a small but rich constellation tucked just beneath Ursa Major. Despite its modest size, it harbors some of the most photogenic galaxies in the spring sky. It’s home to M51, the famous Whirlpool Galaxy, interacting beautifully with its companion, as well as the Sunflower Galaxy (M63) and the irregular NGC 4449. The constellation sits high in the sky during spring, making it perfect for crisp, detailed imaging of galaxies from your backyard.
- Key Targets:
- M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy) — 11′ x 7′
- M63 (Sunflower Galaxy) — 12′ x 7′
- NGC 4449 — 6.2′ x 4.4′
- Altitude at culmination (52°N): Up to 80°
- Culmination date at midnight: Around April 15
Virgo
Virgo is one of the largest constellations in the sky and is renowned for containing the heart of the Virgo Cluster, the nearest massive galaxy cluster to Earth. This constellation is rich in galaxies of all shapes and sizes, making it a prime location for astrophotography and amateur galaxy surveys. The iconic Sombrero Galaxy (M104) and the giant elliptical galaxy M87 are some of the standout targets here. Virgo culminates later in spring, providing opportunities to capture galaxy clusters as they climb higher in the sky near midnight.
- Key Targets:
- M87 — 7.2′ x 6.8′
- M84 — 7.3′ x 5.5′
- M86 — 9.5′ x 6.5′
- Markarian’s Chain (group of galaxies including the above and others)
- M104 (Sombrero Galaxy) — 8′ x 4′ (near Virgo–Corvus border)
- Altitude at culmination (52°N): ~45–55°
- Culmination date at midnight: Around April 20
✨ Late April to May: New Constellations Rising — Boötes & Hercules
Boötes
Boötes is a large constellation known for its brightest star, Arcturus, one of the brightest stars in the night sky. Often depicted as a herdsman or plowman, Boötes is prominent in the spring and early summer skies. While not as densely packed with galaxies as neighboring constellations, Boötes offers a bright globular cluster and a bright star, useful for framing and guiding.
- Key Targets:
- Arcturus (bright star, useful for framing/focusing)
- NGC 5466 (Globular Cluster) — 11′ diameter
- Altitude at culmination (52°N): Up to 75°
- Culmination date at midnight: Around May 5
Hercules (Spring-Summer Transition)
Hercules, named after the mythological Greek hero, is a large constellation straddling the line between spring and summer skies. It is best known for hosting some of the most impressive globular clusters visible to northern observers, including the famous Great Hercules Cluster (M13). As the constellation culminates later in spring, it provides ample opportunity to capture these dense star clusters under dark skies. Hercules is an essential target for astrophotographers looking to image globular clusters as they climb high overhead before the arrival of summer.
- Key Targets:
- M13 (Great Hercules Globular Cluster) — 20′ diameter
- M92 (Globular Cluster) — 14′ diameter
- Abell 2151 (Hercules Cluster of galaxies) — ~24′ diameter
- Altitude at culmination (52°N): ~70–75°
- Culmination date at midnight: May 25
⚠️ Skipped for Low Altitude (from Utrecht, 52°N)
- Hydra (objects too close to horizon for good imaging)
- Crater, Sextans, Corvus (interesting but low — better from more southern latitudes )
🌟 Spring Skies Await — Grab Your Gear and Shoot!
Spring is truly a magical season for astrophotographers — the night sky fills with some of the most beautiful and varied deep-sky objects, from majestic galaxies to stunning star clusters. Whether you’re chasing the bright spirals of Leo, diving into the galaxy-rich fields of Virgo and Coma Berenices, or marveling at the mighty globular and galaxy clusters in Hercules, there’s a cosmic feast waiting for your camera. So clear those skies, set up your gear, and let the spring constellations guide you to your next great image. Happy shooting, and may your exposures be long and your skies dark!