A curated selection of the finest planetary nebulae visible from northern latitudes (Dec > -20°). These dying stars showcase an extraordinary variety of shapes and colors, from perfect smoke rings to glowing spheres. An OIII or UHC filter dramatically improves the view for most of these objects. Sorted by brightness for progressive challenge.
Veröffentlicht von Skybred Veröffentlicht am March 01, 2026
10
Objekte gesamt
Objekte in der Liste
| Select | Objekt | Aktionen |
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M27
M27
NGC 6853
The brightest and easiest planetary nebula. Visible in binoculars as a fuzzy star; in a 4" telescope at 50-100x the iconic apple-core shape emerges. An OIII filter reveals faint outer lobes extending the full dumbbell shape. A must-see for any observer.
PlanetaryNebula · Vul · Mag 7.4
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Saturn nebula
NGC 7009
Saturn nebula
Named for the faint lateral extensions resembling Saturn's rings. Appears as a bright blue-green oval in 6"+ telescopes at 150-200x. The ansae (ring-like projections) require 8"+ aperture and steady seeing. An OIII filter enhances the disk but may hide the extensions.
PlanetaryNebula · Aqr · Mag 8.0
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NGC 6543
NGC 6543
A brilliant blue-green disk near the north ecliptic pole, visible year-round from northern latitudes. At 200x+ in 6" or larger scopes, concentric shells and a bright central star become apparent. One of the most structurally complex planetaries known, though most detail requires imaging.
PlanetaryNebula · Dra · Mag 9.0
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M57
M57
NGC 6720
The quintessential planetary nebula, easily found between Beta and Gamma Lyrae. Even a 3" scope at 80x shows the ghostly smoke ring. In 8"+ aperture, look for the slightly oval shape, brighter edges, and darker center. The mag 15 central star is a challenge for 12"+ scopes.
PlanetaryNebula · Lyr · Mag 8.8
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Blinking planetary
NGC 6826
Blinking planetary
Famous for its 'blinking' effect: stare directly at it and the nebula seems to vanish, leaving only the bright central star; use averted vision and the nebula reappears. Best at 100-150x in a 4"+ telescope. The OIII filter suppresses the central star and steadies the nebular glow.
PlanetaryNebula · Cyg · Mag 10.0
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Blue Snowball
NGC 7662
Blue Snowball
A vivid blue-green disk, one of the most colorful planetaries in amateur scopes. At 200x+ in 6" aperture, a brighter inner ring becomes visible within the disk. Autumn showpiece, easy to locate near Iota Andromedae. An OIII filter enhances contrast noticeably.
PlanetaryNebula · And · Mag 9.0
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NGC 6210
NGC 6210
A tiny but intensely bright blue-green disk in Hercules, easily mistaken for a star at low power. Crank magnification to 200x+ to resolve the disk and see hints of elongation. High surface brightness makes it visible even in light-polluted skies without a filter.
PlanetaryNebula · Her · Mag 9.0
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M97
M97
NGC 3587
A large, round, low-surface-brightness disk near M108 in Ursa Major. The two dark 'eye' patches that give it the Owl name require 8"+ aperture, dark skies, and an OIII or UHC filter. At 80-120x in a 6" scope, it appears as a soft, uniform gray circle. Circumpolar from mid-northern latitudes.
PlanetaryNebula · UMa · Mag 9.9
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Eskimo nebula
NGC 2392
Eskimo nebula
A bright, compact planetary showing a brilliant central star surrounded by a double-shell structure. In 8"+ scopes at 200x+, the brighter inner shell and fainter outer 'parka hood' become distinct. Winter target, easy to find near Wasat (Delta Geminorum). High surface brightness rewards high magnification.
PlanetaryNebula · Gem · Mag 10.0
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M76
M76
NGC 650, NGC 651
The faintest Messier object and a miniature version of M27. A 6"+ telescope at 100-150x reveals the distinctive bi-lobed 'cork' or 'butterfly' shape. An OIII or UHC filter is almost essential to pull it from the background. Rewarding challenge that tests both aperture and sky quality.
PlanetaryNebula · Per · Mag 10.1
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