M57, or the Ring Nebula, is a planetary nebula in the constellation Lyra. At mag. 8.8, It is best observed using a telescope with an aperture of at least 8 in.
M56 is a globular cluster in Lyra. The cluster can be resolved using a telescope with an aperture of 8 in or larger.
Brocchi's Cluster (also known as Collinder 399) It is not an actual cluster but an is a asterism of 10 stars in the shape of an upside down coathanger. Easily seen in binoculars or a finderscope.
M71 is a globular cluster in Sagitta. For many decades M71 was thought to be a densely packed open cluster but is now confirmed a globular. A nice sight in a 10 in and larger scopes at 8th magnitude.
The Dumbbell Nebula (M27) is a large, bright planetary nebula in Vulpecula. At 7.5 and diameter of about 8 arcminutes, it is easily visible in binoculars. Any sized telescope will show its distinctive hour glass or apple core shape. An incredible sight in a large telescope with a nebular filter.
M29 is a small, bright open cluster just south of the bright star Sadir (Gamma Cygni) in Cygnus. Shining at 7th magnitude roughly 20 members are visible with four of the brightest stars making a square shape. Use medium power.
Albireo is a double star designated Beta Cygni. Appearing to the naked eye as a single star of mag. 3, viewing through even at low magnification resolves it into its two components. The brighter yellow star makes a striking color contrast with its fainter blue companion. Some of us call it the UCLA star because of the gold and blue colors.
Epsilon Lyrae (ε Lyrae), also known as the Double-Double is a multiple star system of at least four stars in the constellation of Lyra. The widest two components at magnitudes 4.7 and 5 (ε1 and ε2 ) and are easily separated when viewed through binoculars. Under high power through a telescope each component in turn are separated into two more stars with a total of four stars being visible. The separations are very tight at an average of 2.4 arc seconds each.
Clear and Dark Skies, Dave Holland
