STAR CHARTS BY SEASON

WINTER (Chart reflects January 1 at 10 p.m. from 40° latitude)

Despite the cold nights—which you should be prepared for—winter can be one of the best times for observing. The crisp, dry air is unusually transparent and the stars seem to shine brighter. The winter skies are dominated by Orion, one of the easiest constellations to identify and host to several sights on this list. The “W” of Cassiopeia is another prominent constellation; the Milky Way passes through it and you can find dozens of star clusters within it.

#10 PLEIADES (MESSIER 45)

#14 THE ORION NEBULA (MESSIER 42)

#23 CRAB NEBULA (MESSIER 1)

#25 HYADES (CALDWELL 41)

#32 ALGOL

#33 BETELGEUSE

#34 SIRIUS

#36 DOUBLE CLUSTER (CALDWELL 14)

#46 POLARIS

#53 ESKIMO NEBULA (CALDWELL 39)

#63 ROSETTE NEBULA (CALDWELL 49)

#67 CHRISTMAS TREE CLUSTER (NGC 2264)

#75 MESSIER 35

#78 MESSIER 37

#80 HUBBLE’S VARIABLE NEBULA (CALDWELL 46)

#81 MESSIER 78

#82 MESSIER 77

#83 CALDWELL 5 (IC 342)

#84 MESSIER 41

#91 NGC 1333

#93 MESSIER 46