Deep sky challenge
There’s more to the Bull than the Pleiades and the Hyades clusters - if you’re up to the challenge
Tantalising treats lie among the stars of Taurus, including a beautiful supernova remnant
Many constellations are famous for one or two well-known and beloved deep-sky objects. Orion is famous for the Orion Nebula and the neighbouring Horsehead Nebula; Lyra’s ‘celebrity feature’ is the Ring Nebula, M57, and pretty much the only reason for pointing a telescope or pair of binoculars towards the little box of Cancer is to look at M44, the Beehive Cluster. Likewise, when you think of Taurus you automatically think of its two large, bright open star clusters, the V-shaped Hyades cluster and the ‘Mini-Big Dipper’ of the Pleiades cluster, M45. However, there are other deep-sky objects lurking within the borders of this zodiacal constellation well worth your time tracking down.
You might not think of M1, the famous ‘Crab Nebula’, as being particularly challenging, but it is if you live anywhere with skies that are corrupted by even low levels of light pollution. Our other objects – remote galaxies, clusters and nebulae – will all require medium- or large-aperture telescopes to see, but all offer something refreshingly different from the beautiful, but very familiar jewelled sprays of the Hyades and Seven Sisters. So, telescopes at the ready, swing them towards Taurus and let’s go…
1
Struve’s Lost Nebula (NGC 1554)
In 1868 deep-sky observer Otto Struve observed a nebulous region close to the star T Tauri – but he never saw it again, and no one else ever has. Can you see anything 4’ WSW of the star?
2
IC 353
Just to the north of the Pleiades lies a short, faint swath of nebulosity. Tenth-magnitude IC 353 is a gaseous nebula 460 light years away and 24 light years wide. You’ll need a small- to mediumaperture telescope to see it.
3
NGC 1807
This seventh-magnitude open cluster is little more than a loose spray of 20 or so faint stars close to Taurus’ southern border with Orion. High magnification will isolate its members.
4
NGC 1615
Close to the Horns of the Hyades, this 12th-magnitude elliptical galaxy will only be seen through large telescopes under dark skies, appearing as a small, slim oval smudge.
5
The Crab Nebula (Messier 1)
At magnitude 8.4 the famous supernova remnant M1 might sound like an easy object to find, but its small size and low surface brightness mean any light pollution or moonlight will drown it out. You'll require a medium telescope at least.
6
Crystal Ball Nebula (NGC 1514)
You’ll need a medium- or large-aperture telescope to see this magnitude 10.9 planetary nebula. With a faint outer edge and bright interior blobs and clumps some think it resembles a tiny open flower.