BEAUTY: 
BRAGGING RIGHTS: A beautiful sight
HOW EASY IS IT TO SEE? Best with a rich-field telescope
BEST TIME TO SEE IT: Fall (in Sculptor)
TYPE: Galaxy DISCOVERED: 1783 by Caroline Herschel
Herschel’s galaxy. Caroline Herschel was William Herschel’s sister, and this is one of at least a dozen deep-sky objects she discovered. But the Herschels were observing from England, and this southern galaxy is never far from the hazy horizon. It was William Herschel’s son John, observing from South Africa, who had a chance to see its “streaky and knotty” appearance, and who speculated that it might be resolvable into stars. From North America you’ll need a clear view of the southern horizon to see this amazing galaxy. If it were higher up in the sky it would be much more famous, as it is brighter than all but a few others. To find it, look 7½ degrees south of Beta Ceti. Many observers report seeing a mottled look, particularly around the galaxy’s core. With dark skies you might also see two faint galactic arms sticking out to either side.
