These are the 40 brightest nebulae in the night sky. Also see All 147 Nebulae for a list of all named nebulae.

Messier Nebulae

These are the brightest and most interesting nebulae listed in the Messier Catalog. Messier nebulae are predominately found in the northern hemisphere. The famous Horsehead Nebulae (Barnard 33) is also located close to the Orion Nebula. The Crab Nebula is also a supernova remnant with a neutron star (the Crab Pulsar) at its center.

1. Nebula / Magnitude (m)
2. Constellation

1. Ring Nebula (9.5)
2. Lyra

1. De Mairan's Nebula (7.0)
2. Orion

1. Orion Nebula (5.0)
2. Orion

1. Little Dumbell Nebula (12.0)
2. Perseus

1. Trifid Nebula (5.0)
2. Sagittarius

1. Omega- Swan- Horseshoe Nebula (7.0)
2. Sagittarius

1. Lagoon Nebula (5.0)
2. Sagittarius

1. Crab Nebula (8.4)
2. Taurus

1. Owl Nebula (12.0)
2. Ursa Major

1. Dumbbell Nebula (7.5)
2. Vulpecula

Caldwell Nebulae

These are the brightest and most interesting nebulae listed in the Caldwell Catalog. Caldwell nebulae are predominately found in the southern hemisphere. The Veil Nebulae (East and West) are also supernova remnants, with a neutron star (pulsar) at the center.

1. Nebula / Magnitude (m)
2. Constellation

1. Blue Snowball (8.3)
2. Andromeda

1. Saturn Nebula (8)
2. Aquarius

1. Helix Nebula (7.3)
2. Aquarius

1. Flaming Star Nebula (6)
2. Auriga

1. Eta Carinae Nebula (3)
2. Carina

1. Bubble Nebula (10)
2. Casseopeia

1. Bow-Tie Nebula (12.)
2. Cepheus

1. Iris Nebula (7)
2. Cepheus

1. Cave Nebula (7.7)
2. Cepheus

1. R crA Nebula ()
2. Corona Australis

1. Coalsack ()
2. Crux

1. Crescent Nebula (7.4)
2. Cygnus

1. Cocoon Nebula (7.2)
2. Cygnus

1. Blinking Planetary (8.8)
2. Cygnus

1. North America Nebula (4)
2. Cygnus

1. E. Veil Nebula (7)
2. Cygnus

1. W. Veil Nebula (7)
2. Cygnus

1. Tarantula Nebula (8.2)
2. Dorado

1. Cat's Eye Nebula (8.1)
2. Draco

1. Eskimo Nebula (9.2)
2. Gemini

1. Ghost of Jupiter (7.8)
2. Hydra

1. Rosette Nebula (9)
2. Monoceros

1. Hubble?s Variable Nebula (9)
2. Monoceros

1. Bug Nebula (9.6)
2. Scorpius

1. Eight Burst Nebula (9.4)
2. Vela

Herschel Nebulae

These are the brightest and most interesting nebulae listed in the Herschell 400 Catalog. Herschel nebulae are generally fainter and harder to spot than Messier and Caldwell nebulae. The famous Horsehead Nebula (Barnard 33) is also located close to the Flame Nebula.