40 Brightest Nebulae in the Night Sky

Also see list of 147 nebulae for a list of notable 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. Omega-Swan Nebula (7.0)
2. Sagittarius

1. Trifid Nebula (5.0)
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. Iris Nebula (7)
2. Cepheus

1. Cave Nebula (7.7)
2. Cepheus

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

1. R crA Nebula ()
2. Corona Australis

1. Coalsack ()
2. Crux

1. Crescent Nebula (7.4)
2. Cygnus

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

1. Blinking Planetary (8.8)
2. Cygnus

1. Cocoon Nebula (7.2)
2. Cygnus

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

1. North America Nebula (4)
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.