To organise the work of the section a number of Observing Programmes have been devised, which cover both recreational deep sky observing and targets which are the subjects of scientific research.

Current programmes are:

• The Messier objects
• The Caldwell objects
• Variable Nebulae
• Planetary Nebulae
• Double Stars
• Globular Clusters

Most Deep Sky observers do it for fun. There is not very much science to be derived from this area of astronomy by amateur astronomers, but some areas in which amateurs can do science include: –

• Supernova patrolling.
• Nova patrolling in Local Group galaxies.
• Photometry of the variability in Active Galactic Nuclei.
• Measuring binary stars.
• Observing Variable nebulae.

Previous programmes which members might still like to follow are:

• Local Group Galaxies
• Supernova Remnants
• Visibility of the Veil Nebula