Deep Sky Help

Deep Sky Objects Help

The settings in this view let you control the display of star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.

Show Objects: Draws symbols for star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies.
Show Images: Displays Digitized Sky Survey images of deep sky objects at their true size and orientation.
Best-Known Only: Shows only Messier, Caldwell, and other named objects. (Plus/Pro only)
Show in Wide Fields: Allows deep sky objects to be displayed when the field of view is wider than 45 degrees. (Plus/Pro only)
Magnitude Limit: Sets the faintest deep sky objects visible.
Never Show Fainter Than: Sets the absolute magnitude limit.
Intensity: Sets the brightness of deep sky object symbols and names.

Show Names: Displays names next to objects.
Proper Names: Shows proper names (e.g. "Hercules Cluster") instead of catalog numbers (e.g. "M 13").
Name Density: Sets the percentage of objects whose names are displayed.

Globular Clusters: Dense concentrations of stars (e.g. M 13 in Hercules).
Bright Nebulae: Glowing clouds of gas (e.g. M 42, the Great Orion Nebula).
Dark Nebulae: Opaque clouds of cold dust (e.g. B 33, the Horsehead Nebula).
Planetary Nebulae: Expanding shells of gas from dying stars (e.g. M 57, the Ring Nebula).
Galaxies: Star systems outside our Milky Way (e.g. M 31 in Andromeda).