DEEP SKY CHALLENGE
SPRING IN THE GREAT BEAR
This is the perfect time to swing your telescope up to point almost overhead to spot some of the treasures hiding within Ursa Major
2Cigar Galaxy (Messier 82)
U rsa Major is famous for its seven brightest stars, which make up the famous Big Dipper. But behind the stars of this northern constellation, which hangs almost overhead after sunset on these brisk, spring nights, there are some beautiful deep-sky objects for telescope users to enjoy. Some distance away from the Big Dipper, the close pair of galaxies Messier 81 and Messier 82 are a favourite of many owners of small telescopes, but larger instruments show lovely detailing in the arms and centres of these faraway galaxies.