Our next target, globular cluster
M15 in Pegasus, is a showpiece. It glows at magnitude 6.2 and measures 12.3' across. Finding it is pretty easy. Just draw a line from Theta (θ) through Epsilon Pegasi, and continue another 4°. Don’t be confused by the 6th-magnitude star only ¼° to the east.
From a dark site, sharp-eyed observers can spot M15 with their naked eyes. But confirm your sighting through your telescope: A 4-inch scope will resolve dozens of stars around the cluster’s bright core. Look for chains of stars that wind out from its central region.
Now head south to Aquarius for M2, one of the sky’s richest and most compact globular clusters. It shines at magnitude 6.6 and has a diameter of 12.9'.
To find it, scan roughly 4.5° due north of Beta Aquarii. If you have sharp eyes, you might spot the cluster with your naked eyes from a dark site. Through your telescope, you’ll notice that M2 appears slightly elliptical.
Our final treat, M30 in Capricornus, lies roughly 3° east-southeast of Zeta Capricorni. It glows at magnitude 6.9 and measures 11' across.
Through a 4-inch scope, you’ll see a bright, broad core you won’t resolve, surrounded by myriad stars you can resolve. Use a 12-inch scope, however, and crank the power to 300x or more, and the core will explode with detail.
Much more to see
Believe it or not, space allowed me to describe only half of the Messier objects visible in the summer sky. After you’ve gazed lovingly at the wonders I’ve listed, you absolutely should check out M9, M14, M19, M62, and M107 in Ophiuchus; M80 in Scorpius; M18, M24, M25, M28, M54, M55, M69, and M75 in Sagittarius; M26 in Scutum; M56 in Lyra; M72 in Aquarius; M71 in Sagitta; and M29 and M39 in Cygnus. Each is worth your time, and the darker your observing site, the better. Good luck!