Top 20 objects for wide-field astrophotography

These are 20 of the best nebulae and galaxies for wide-field astrophotography. They are ideal targets for beginner astrophotographers with short focal length scopes and large camera sensor size setups. Objects listed are wider than 1° (60 arc-minutes), which is twice the width of the full moon in apparent size (30 arc-minutes or 1/2°).


1. Galactic Center

dense region in Sagittarius
size: 40° x 27°


2. Large Magellanic Cloud (Messier 22)

Dwarf galaxy in Dorado
size: 11° x 9°


3. Barnard's Loop

Emission nebula in Orion
size: 10° x 10°


4. Coalsack Nebula

Dark nebula in Crux
size: 7° x 5°


5. Heart & Soul Nebula

Emission nebulae in Cassiopeia
size: 5.2° x 3.4°


6. Rho Ophiuchi cloud

Cloud in Ophiuchus
size: 6.5° x 4.5°


7. Orion Nebula (Messier 42)

Emission nebula in Orion
size: 5.7° x 4.2°


8. Small Magellanic Cloud

Dwarf galaxy in Tucana
size: 5° x 3°


9. Veil Nebula

Supernova remnant in Cygnus
size: 3° x 3°


10. Andromeda Galaxy

Spiral galaxy in Andromeda
size: 3° x 1°


11. Witch Head Nebula

Reflection nebula in Orion
size: 3° x 1°


12. California Nebula

Emission nebula in
size: 2.5°


13. Eta Carinae Nebula (Caldwell 92)

Emission nebula in Carina
size: 2°


14. Angel Nebula (NGC 2170)

Emission nebula in Monoceros
size: 2°


15. North America Nebula (NGC 1499)

Emission nebula in Cygnus
size: 2°


16. Pleiades (Messier 45)

Open cluster + nebulae in Taurus
size: 2°


17. Flame & Horsehead Nebula

Nebulae in Orion
size: 2° x 1°


18. Lagoon Nebula (Messier 8)

Nebula in Sagittarius
size: 1.5° x 0.5°


19. Rosette Nebula (Caldwell 49)

Nebula in Monoceros
size: 1.3°


20. Triangulum Galaxy (Messier 33)

Spiral galaxy in Triangulum
size: 1.2° x 0.7°