Vic Menard

General information

Vic Menard is a legendary figure in the amateur community, primarily known for his definitive work on Newtonian telescope collimation, but his 400-object observing list is highly prized by those who want a break from the standard "tourist" targets.

While the Herschel and O’Meara catalogs are the "heavy hitters" of the astronomical world, the Vic Menard Catalog (often simply called "The List") is the cult classic. If the Herschel 400 is the textbook, Menard’s list is the personal notebook of a master observer who has seen it all and wants to show you the "good stuff."

The presented catalog is the culmination of countless nights spent by Vic Menard engaging in Messier marathons, exploring the depths of the Herschel 400, scouring the southern horizon for unexpected celestial gems, navigating the starry expanse in pursuit of elusive faint fuzzies, and ultimately finding myself at the controls of a 22-inch Go-To telescope, uncertain of what celestial wonders to explore next! Familiar names will undoubtedly populate this list, ranging from the most celebrated destinations in the night sky to those that present a formidable challenge even with apertures below 20 inches. Some entries may evoke a sense of nostalgia for owners of 3-inch refractors or transport observers back to the dark skies of their earliest deep-sky adventures.

The catalog is organized in "constellation by right ascension, right ascension within constellation" order, catering to those utilizing digital setting circles or a driven Go-To telescope, appreciating the streamlined tasking "by constellation" provides. The SkyQ designation prioritizes objects based on sky quality, considering naked-eye limiting magnitudes of 4-5-6+ (with some variability). Objects with exclamation marks denote particular noteworthiness. For double and multiple stars, the Size/Sep column aids observers in selecting targets based on their night sky conditions and telescope capabilities. The remarks accompanying each entry are largely derived from notes scribbled at the eyepiece of a 20-inch Dobsonian or a 5-inch richest field refractor, with additional insights drawn from fellow observers' posts, periodicals, and various texts.

Positional elements for NGC and IC objects adhere to epoch 2000, while stellar positional elements exhibit some variation. Current separations for double stars are estimated for the year 2000, offering surprises for those accustomed to observing true binaries for decades. The southernmost objects in the list are Alpha Centauri and Eta Carina, with Einstein's Cross at magnitude 17 1/2 being the faintest and most challenging, closely followed by the Twin Lensing Quasar in Ursa Major at 16 1/2.

Out of the 400 objects in this list, the distribution is as follows: 179 galaxies, 59 planetary nebulae, 37 open clusters, 29 globular clusters, 21 diffuse or "bright" nebulae, 4 supernova remnants, and 2 lensed quasars. Additionally, 75 stellar objects include double and multiple stars, contrasting color double stars, and a representative selection of the best deep red carbon stars. Notably, 145 objects are designated with a SkyQ of 4, making them ideal for small telescopes or average observing conditions. On nights with above-average conditions, an additional 170 objects can be easily added to the observational agenda.

History & Who Made It

Vic Menard, an "astro-observer extraordinaire" based in Bradenton, Florida, compiled this list over decades of elite-level observing. The list gained widespread popularity around 2001 when it was featured in Amateur Astronomy magazine.

Vic created this database out of a specific kind of frustration: after finishing the Messier marathon, the Herschel 400, and chasing "invisible faint fuzzies" with a giant 22-inch telescope, he realized he didn't know what to look for next. He wanted a single, master list that combined the most beautiful showpieces with the most interesting technical challenges.

The Purpose: "The Quality Filter"

The main purpose of the Menard catalog isn't just to list objects, but to rank them by sky quality.

Vic recognized that not every night is a "perfect" night. He categorized his 400 objects using a "SkyQ" (Sky Quality) rating from 4 to 6:

• SkyQ 4: Great for average nights or smaller telescopes.

• SkyQ 5: Requires better-than-average transparency.

• SkyQ 6: The "Limit Testers." These require remarkable nights and will push your optics (and your eyes) to the absolute edge.

What Objects Can Be Found In It?

Menard’s list is unique because it isn't strictly "Deep Sky" in the way the Herschel list is. He includes stars and exotic phenomena that most catalogs ignore.

The Breakdown (400 Objects):

• 179 Galaxies: Including famous ones like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and "marquee" targets like M82.

• 59 Planetary Nebulae: Featuring gems like the "Blue Snowball" and the "Little Dumbbell."

• 37 Open Clusters: Such as the "Dragonfly Cluster" and the "Double Cluster" in Perseus.

• 29 Globular Clusters: The best "star balls" in the northern and southern reach.

• 21 Diffuse Nebulae: The glowing clouds of gas where stars are born.

• 75 Stellar Objects: This is where Menard shines. He includes Double and Multiple stars, contrasting color pairs (like Albireo), and a specific sampling of deep-red Carbon Stars.

• The "Oddballs": The list even includes 4 Supernova Remnants and 2 Lensed Quasars (incredibly distant objects being magnified by the gravity of closer galaxies).

How it Differs from the Herschel/O'Meara Lists

1. The Human Touch: Vic adds exclamation marks (!!) to flag objects that are particularly notable or "must-sees."

2. The "Marquee" Effect: He is famous for discovering the "marquee" effect in the galaxy M82—a phenomenon where tiny stellar points seem to wink in and out of view, which he includes as a challenge for others.

3. Stellar Beauty: While O'Meara and Herschel focus heavily on nebulae and galaxies, Menard treats a stunningly red Carbon Star or a tight Double Star with the same reverence as a massive galaxy.

Category | Count | Key Examples

Galaxies179M31, NGC 253, M82

Planetary Nebulae | 59Blue Snowball (NGC 7662), Little Dumbbell

Star Clusters | 66 | Double Cluster, Dragonfly Cluster

Stars/Multiples | 75 | Alamak (colored double), Carbon Stars

Exotica | 21+ | Lensed Quasars, Supernova Remnants

Vic Menard’s database is essentially the "Connoisseur’s Catalog." It’s designed for the observer who has graduated from the basics and wants to appreciate the subtle colors of a star or the fleeting "twinkle" of a starburst galaxy. 

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