A set of 7 Reference Line Maps, charts and DSS photos of M74. This series of maps has been developed for use with the Reference Line Method. This method adapts well to both binoculars and telescopes.
How to Use Reference Line Maps to locate deep sky objects.
Notes:
- The N-S reference line and eta Pisces will lead directly to M74. May need dark skies for M74.
- Because M74 appears resolvable under close observation, John Herschel mistook M74 for a globular cluster: “A globular cluster; faint, very large; round; very gradually, then pretty suddenly, much brighter in the middle; partially resolved.”
Credits, Links & Resources:
- The images of galactic position of eemission nebulae, star clusters and planetary nebulae relative to our own Sun are provided courtesy of thinkastronomy.com.
- A complete online resource for distances, sizes and locations of deep sky objects is available at seds.org.
- Sky and Tleescope’s This Week’s Sky At A Glance is worth checking before every stargazing session.
- Danko’s Clear Sky Chart provides a 48 hour forecast of observing conditions for every location in North America.
- Reference Line Maps are produced by Project DeepSkyMap, a collaborative venture of observers who enjoy knowing the heavens and locating objects for themselves.

Click on Cover of Field Guide to download free trial at Amazon
Fall Nights Deep Sky Field Guide for the Backyard
Get three for the price of one at Amazon. Each guide can be used simultaneously on a laptop, cell phone and the Kindle. Although these field guides are designed for the liquid ink technology used on the Kindle, you need not own a Kindle to use them. The free “Kindle for PC” from Amazon allows these maps to be used with no glare from a laptop. Additionally, the iPhone and iPad versions, also available at Amazon,are fantastic. Get FREE Samples of these field guides at Amazon: Fall Nights Deep Sky Field Guide or Deep Sky Naked Eye Field Guide
Confirmed by P. Messier Renaix
Mapped by P. Messier Renaix