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Astronomy: Charles Messier Catalog: 110 Deep Sky objects
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This catalog was made by Charles Messier and contains all bright diffuse objects from the sky, observed centuries ago. The catalog has been alive for many centuries. The quoted texts are original comments and observations from Messier, a centuries old kept heritage. Often, Messier observed a nebula (a blurry spot in the sky) and could not distinguish a single star in the nebula. The pictures next to the old comments are much more recent and give a clear perspective (often the blurry spot contains of thousands of stars). Observed at Paris by M. Messier
At the Observatory of the Marine Hotel de Cluny. Rue de Mathurins. M1: September 12, 1758 (also known as the Crab nebula) 
Comment from Messier: `Nebula above the southern horn of Taurus, it doesn't contain any star; it is a whitish light, elongated in the shape of a flame of a candle, discovered while observing the comet of 1758. See the chart of that comet, Mem. Acad. of the year 1759, page 188; observed by Dr. Bevis in about 1731. It is reported on the English Celestial Atlas.' M2: September 11, 1760 (a cluster of 100.000 stars orbiting the Milky Way Galaxy) 
`Nebula without star in the head of Aquarius, its center is brilliant, and the light surrounding it is round; it resembles the beautiful nebula which is situated between the head and the bow of Sagittarius [M22], it is seen very well with a telescope of 2 feet [FL], placed below the parallel [same Dec] of Alpha of Aquarius.'M. Messier has reported this nebula on the chart of the track of the comet observed in 1759. Mem. Acad. of the year 1760, page 464. M. Maraldi has seen this nebula in 1746 while observing the comet which appeared that year. (Diam. 4') M3: May 3, 1764 (a cluster of 500.000 old stars orbiting the Milky Way Galaxy) 
`Nebula discovered between Bootes and one of the Hunting Dogs of Hevelius [Canes Venatici], it doesn't contain any star, its center is brilliant, and its light is gradually fading away, it is round; in a beautiful [dark] sky, one can see it in a telescope of 1-foot [FL]: It is reported on the chart of the comet observed in 1779. Memoirs of the Academy of the same year. Reviewed on March 29, 1781, always very beautiful. (Diam. 3')' M4: May 8, 1764 `Cluster of very small [faint] stars; with an inferior telescope, it appears more like a nebula; this cluster is situated near Antares and on its parallel. Observed by M. de la Caille, and reported in his catalog. Reviewed January 30 and March 22, 1781. (Diam 2.5')' M5: May 23, 1764 `Beautiful Nebula discovered between the Balance [Libra] and the Serpent [Serpens], near the star in the Serpent, of 6th magnitude, which is the 5th according to the Catalog of Flamsteed [5 Ser]: it doesn't contain any star; it is round, and one sees it very well, in a fine [clear dark] sky, with an ordinary refractor of 1-foot [FL]. M. Messier has reported it in the chart of the comet of 1763. Mem. Acad for the year 1774, page 40. Reviewed on Sep. 5, 1780, January 30 and March 22, 1781. (Diam. 3')' M6: May 23, 1764 `Cluster of small stars between the bow of Sagittarius and the tail of Scorpius. At simple view [to the naked eye], this cluster seems to form a nebula without stars; but even with the smallest instrument one employs for investigating one sees a cluster of small [faint] stars. (Diam. 15')' M7: May 23, 1764 (a cluster of 100 blue stars inside our Milky Way Galaxy) 
`Star cluster more considerable than the preceding [M6]; this cluster appears to the naked eye like a nebulosity; it is little distant from the preceding, placed between the bow of Sagittarius and the tail of Scorpius. (Diam. 30')' M8: May 23, 1764 `A cluster which appears in the shape of a nebula when observed with an ordinary telescope of 3 feet [FL]; but with an excellent instrument one perceives nothing but a large quantity of small [faint] stars; near this cluster is a fairly bright star, surrounded by a very faint glow: this is the ninth star of Sagittarius, of seventh magnitude, according to Flamsteed [9 Sgr]: this cluster appears in elongated shape, which extends from North-East to South-West, between the arc of Sagittarius and the foot of Ophiuchus. (Diam. 30')' M9: May 28, 1764 `Nebula, without star, in the right leg of Ophiuchus; it is round and its light is faint. Reviewed on March 22, 1781. (Diam. 3')' M10: May 29, 1764 (beautiful old star cluster) 
`Nebula, without stars, in the belt of Ophiuchus, near the 30th star of that constellation, of sixth magnitude, according to Flamsteed [30 Oph]. This nebula is beautiful and round; one can only see it with difficulty in an ordinary telescope of 3-feet [FL]. M. Messier has reported on the 2nd chart of the track of the Comet of 1769. Mem. Acad. for the year 1775, plate IX. Reviewed on March 6, 1781.' (Diam. 4') M11: May 30, 1764 `Cluster of a great number of small [faint] stars, near the star K of Antinous [ Sct], which one can see only in a good instrument; with an ordinary telescope of 3 feet [FL] it resembles a Comet: This cluster is mingled with a faint glow; in this cluster there is a star of 8th magnitude. M. Kirch observed it in 1681. Philosophical Transactions No. 347, p. 390. It is reported on the English Great Atlas.' (diam. 4') M12: May 30, 1764 `Nebula discovered in the Serpent, between the arm and the left side of Ophiuchus: this nebula doesn't contain any star, it is round and its light faint; near this nebula there is a star of 9th magnitude. M. Messier has reported it on the second Chart of the Comet observed in 1769. Mem. Acad. 1775, pl. IX. Reviewed March 6, 1781. (diam. 3')' M13: June 1, 1764 (an old globular cluster of 100.000 old stars) 
`Nebula without star, discovered in the belt of Hercules; it is round and brilliant, the center [is] more brilliant than the edges, one perceives it with a telescope of one foot [FL]; it is near two stars, the one and the other of 8th magnitude, the one above and the other below it: the nebula ['s position] was determined by comparing it with Epsilon Herculis. M. Messier has reported it on the Chart of the Comet of 1779, which was included in the volume of the Academy of that year. Seen by Halley in 1714. Reviewed Jan. 5 and 30, 1781. It is reported in the English Celestial Atlas. (diam. 6')' M14: June 1, 1764 `Nebula without star, discovered in the garb which dresses the right arm of Ophiuchus, and situated on the parallel of Zeta of Serpens: this nebula is not large, its light is faint, one can see it nevertheless with an ordinary telescope of three feet and a half [FL]; it is round, near it is a small [faint] star of the nineth magnitude; its position has been determined by comparing it with Gamma of Ophiuchus, and M. Messier has reported its position on the Chart of the Comet of 1769. Memoirs de l'Academy, year 1775, plate IX. Reviewed on March 22, 1781. (diam. 7')' M15: June 3, 1764 `Nebula without a star, between the head of Pegasus and that of Equuleus; it is round, in the center it is brilliant, its position was determined by comparison with Delta Equulei. M. Maraldi, in the Memoirs of the Academy of 1746, reports of this nebula: "I have found, he says, between the stars Epsilon Pegasi and Beta Equulei, a fairly bright nebulous star, which is composed of many stars; its right ascension is 319d 27' 6", and its northern declination is 11d 2' 22". (diam. 3')' M16: June 3, 1764 (also known as the Eagle nebula) 
`A cluster of small stars, enmeshed in a faint glow, near the tail of Serpens, at little distance to the parallel of Zeta of this constellation; with an inferior telescope this cluster appears like a nebula. (diam. 8')' M17: June 3, 1764 `A train of light without stars, of 5 or 6 minutes in extent, in the shape of a spindle, and a little like that in Andromeda's belt [M31] but of a very faint light; there are two telescopic stars nearby and placed parallel to the equator. In a good sky one observes this nebula very well in an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]. Reviewed on March 22, 1781. (diam. 5')' M18: June 3, 1764 `A cluster of small stars, a little below above nebula, No. 17, surrounded by slight nebulosity, this cluster is less obvious than the preceding, No. 16: with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL], this cluster appears like a nebula; but with a good telescope one sees nothing but stars. (diam. 5')' M19: June 5, 1764 (unusual shaped cluster of stars) 
`Nebula without stars, on the parallel of Antares between Scorpius and the right foot of Ophiuchus: this nebula is round; one can see it very well with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]; the nearest neighboring known star to this nebula is 28 Ophiuchi, which is of mag. 6, according to Flamsteed. (diam. 3')'M20: June 5, 1764 `Cluster of stars, a little above the Ecliptic, between the bow of Sagittarius and the right foot of Ophiuchus. Reviewed on March 22, 1781.' M21: June 5, 1764 `Star cluster, near the preceding [M20]: The nearest neighboring known star to these two clusters is 11 Sagittarii, 7 mag, according to Flamsteed. The stars of both these clusters are of 8-9 magnitude, enveloped in nebulosity.' M22: June 5, 1764 (a globular cluster of over 100.000 stars orbiting the Milky Way Galaxy) 
`Nebula, below the ecliptic, between the head and the bow of Sagittarius, near a star of 7th magnitude, 25 Sagittarii, according to Flamsteed, this nebula is round, it doesn't contain any star, and one can see it very well in an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]; the star Lambda Sagittarii served for determination [of its position]. Abraham Ihle, a German, discovered it in 1665, while observing Saturn. M. Le Gentil observed it in 1747, and he made an engraving of it. Memoirs of the Academy, year 1759, page 470. Reviewed March 22, 1781; it is reported in the English Atlas. (diam. 6')'M23: June 20, 1764 `A star cluster, between the end of the bow of Sagittarius and the right foot of Ophiuchus, very near to 65 Ophiuchi, according to Flamsteed. The stars of this cluster are very close to one another. Its position was determined from Mu Sagittarii. (diam. 15')' M24: June 20, 1764 `Cluster on the parallel of the preceding [M23] and near the end of the bow of Sagittarius, in the Milky Way: a large nebulosity in which there are many stars of different magnitudes: the light which is spread throughout this cluster is divided into several parts; it is the center of this cluster which has been determined [position]. (diam. 1d 30')' M25: June 20, 1764 `A cluster of small stars in the neighborhood of the two previous clusters [M23 and M24], between the head and the end of the bow of Sagittarius: the nearest known star to this cluster is 21 Sagittarii, 6th magnitude, according to Flamsteed. The stars of this cluster are seen with difficulty with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]; no nebulosity can be seen. Its position has been determined from Mu Sagittarii. (diam. 10')' M26 : June 20, 1764 `A cluster near Eta and Omicron in Antinous [now Alpha and Delta Scuti], between which there is another one of more brightness: with a telescope of 3.5-foot [FL] one cannot distinguish them, one needs to employ a good instrument. This cluster contains no nebulosity. (diam. 2')' M27: July 12, 1764 (the Dumbbell nebula, an emission nebula) 
`Nebula without star, discovered in Vulpecula, between the two forepaws, and very near the star 14 of that constellation, of 5th magnitude according to Flamsteed; one can see it well with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]; it appears of oval shape, and it contains no star. M. Messier has reported its position on the chart of the Comet of 1779, which was engraved for the volume of the Academy of the same year. Reviewed on January 31, 1781. (diam. 4')'M28: July 27, 1764 `Nebula discovered in the upper part of the bow of Sagittarius at about one degree from the star Lambda and little distant from the beautiful nebula which is between the head and the bow [M22]. It contains no star; it is round, it can only be seen difficultly with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]. Its position has been determined from Lambda Sagittarii. Reviewed March 20, 1781. (diam. 2')' M29: July 29, 1764 `A cluster of 7 or 8 very small stars, which are below Gamma Cygni, which one sees with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL] in the form of a nebula. Its position determined from Gamma Cygni. Reported on chart of the Comet of 1779.' M30: August 3, 1764 `Nebula discovered below the tail of Capricorn, very near to the star 41 of that constellation, of 6th magnitude, according to Flamsteed. One sees it with difficulty with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]. It is round and contains no star; its position determined from Zeta Capricorni, M. Messier reported it on chart of the Comet of 1759. Mem. Acad. 1760, pl. II. (diam. 2')' M31: August 3, 1764 (also known as the Andromeda Galaxy) 
`The beautiful nebula of the belt of Andromeda, shaped like a spindle; M. Messier has investigated it with different instruments, and he didn't recognise a star: it resembles two cones or pyramides of light, opposed at their bases, the axes of which are in direction NW-SE; the two points of light or the apices are about 40 arc minutes apart; the common base of the pyramids is about 15'. This nebula was discovered by Simon Marius, and consequently observed by different astronomers. M. le Gentil has given a drawing in the Memoirs of the Academy for 1759, page 453. It is reported on the English Atlas. (diam. 40')'M32: August 3, 1764 (8.000 old blue stars near M31) 
`Small nebula without stars, below and at some minutes [separation] from that of the belt of Andromeda [M31]; this small nebula is round, its light fainter than that of the belt. M. le Gentil has discovered it on October 29, 1749. M. Messier saw it, for the first time, in 1757, and he has not found any change. (diam. 2')'M33: August 25, 1764 (spiral galaxy near M31) 
`Nebula discovered between the head of the Northern Fish [of Pisces] and the great Triangle, a bit distant from a star of 6th magnitude: The nebula is of a whitish light of almost even density [of brightness], however a little brighter along two-third of its diameter, and contains no star. One sees it with difficulty with an ordinary telescope of 1-foot [FL]. Its position was determined from Alpha Trianguli. Reviewed on September 27, 1780. (diam. 15')'M34: August 25, 1764 `Cluster of small stars, between the head of Medusa (Algol) and the left foot of Andromeda, a little below the parallel of Gamma [Andromedae]: with an ordinary telescope of 3 foot [FL] one can distinguish the stars. Its position has been determined from Beta [Persei], the head of Medusa. (diam. 15')' M35: August 30, 1764 `Cluster of very small stars, near the left foot of Castor, at a little distance from the stars Mu and Eta of that constellation [Gemini]. M. Messier has reported its position on the chart of the comet of 1770, Mem. Acad. 1771, pl. VII. Reported in the English Atlas. (diam. 20')' M36: September 2, 1764 `Cluster of stars in Auriga, near the star Phi: with an ordinary telescope of 3.5 foot [FL] one has pain to distinguish the stars, the cluster contains no nebulosity. Its position determined from Phi [Aurigae]. (diam. 9')' M37: September 2, 1764 `Cluster of small stars, little remote from the preceding [M36], above the parallel of chi Aurigae; the stars are smaller, more close together and enclosing some nebulosity; with an ordinary telescope of 3.5 feet [FL], one has pain to see the stars: this cluster is reported on the Chart of the second Comet of 1771, Mem. Acad. 1777. (diam. 9')' M38: September 25, 1764 `Cluster of small stars in Auriga, near the star Sigma, little distant from the two preceding clusters [M36 and M37]; this one is of square shape and contains no nebulosity, if one takes care to examine it with a good telescope. Its extension is about 15' of arc. (diam. 15')' M39: October 24, 1764 `Cluster of stars near the tail of the Swan; one can see them with an ordinary telescope of 3.5 feet [FL]. (diam. 1d 00')' M40: October 24, 1764 `The same night of October 24 to 25, I searched for the nebula above the tail of the Great Bear, which is indicated in the book Figure of the Stars, second edition: its should have, in 1660, the right ascension 183d 32' 41", and the northern declination 60d 20' 33". I have found, by means of this position, two stars very near to each other and of equal brightness, about the 9th magnitude, placed at the beginning of the tail of Ursa Major: one has difficulty to distinguish them with an ordinary [nonachromatic] refractor of 6 feet [FL]. Here are their position: right ascension, 182 deg 45' 30", and 59 deg 23' 50" northern declination. There is reason to presume that Hevelius mistook these two stars for a nebula.' M41: January 16, 1765 `Cluster of stars below Sirius, near Rho Canis Majoris; this cluster appears nebulous in an ordinary telescope of one foot [FL]; it is nothing more than a cluster of small stars.' M42: March 4, 1769 (the Great nebula in Orion) 
`Position of the beautiful nebula in the sword of Orion, around the star Theta which ii contains [together] with three other smaller stars which one cannot see but with good instruments. Messier has entered into the great details in this great nebula; he has created a drawing, made with the greatest care, which one can see in the Memoirs of the Academy for 1771, plate VIII. It was Huygens who discovered it in 1656: it has been observed since by many astronomers. Reported in the English Atlas.' M43: March 4, 1769 `Position of the little star surrounded by nebulosity and which is below the nebula of the sword of Orion. M. Messier has included it in the drawing of the Great [Nebula].' M44: March 4, 1769 `Cluster of stars known by the name of the nebula in Cancer. The position given is that of the star C.' M45: March 4, 1769 `A cluster of stars, known by the name of the Pleiades. The position reported is that of the star Alcyone.' M46: February 19, 1771 `A cluster of very small stars, between the head of the Great Dog and the two hind feet of the Unicorn, [its position] determined by comparing this cluster with the star 2 Navis, of 6th-magnitude, according to Flamsteed; one cannot see these stars but with a good refractor; the cluster contains a bit of nebulosity.' M47: February 19, 1771 `Cluster of stars, little distant from the preceding; the stars are greater [brighter]; the middle of the cluster was compared with the same star, 2 Navis. The cluster contains no nebulosity.' M48: February 19, 1771 `Cluster of very small [faint] stars, without nebulosity; this cluster is at a short distance from the three stars that form the beginning of the Unicorn's tail.' M49: February 19, 1771 `Nebula discovered near the star Rho Virginis. One cannot see it without difficulty with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-feet [FL]. The Comet of 1779 was compared by M. Messier with this nebula on April 22 and 23: The comet and the nebula had the same light. M. Messier has reported this nebula on the chart of the route of the comet, which appeared in the volume of the Academy of the same year 1779. Reviewed on April 10, 1781.' M50: April 5, 1772 `Cluster of small stars, more or less brilliant, above the right loins of the Unicorn, above the star Theta of the ear of Canis Major, and near a star of 7th magnitude. It was while observing the Comet of 1772 that M. Messier observed this cluster. He has reported it on the chart of that comet, on which its trace has been drawn. Mem. Acad. 1772.' M51: January 11, 1774 (two colliding galaxies M51 and NGC 5195) 
`Very faint nebula, without stars, near the eye of the Northern Greyhound [hunting dog], below the star Eta of 2nd magnitude of the tail of Ursa Major: M. Messier discovered this nebula on October 13, 1773, while he was watching the comet visible at that time. One cannot see this nebula without difficulties with an ordinary telescope of 3.5 foot [FL]: Near it is a star of 8th magnitude. M. Messier reported its position on the Chart of the Comet observed in 1773 and 1774. Memoirs of the Academy 1774, plate III. It is double, each has a bright center, which are separated 4'35". The two "atmospheres" touch each other, the one is even fainter than the other. Reobserved several times.' M52: September 7, 1774 `Cluster of very small [faint] stars, mingled with nebulosity, which can be seen only with an achromatic telescope. It was when he observed the Comet which appeared in this year that M. Messier saw this cluster, which was close to the comet on the 7th of September 1774; it is below the star d Cassiopeiae: that star was used to determine [the position of] both the cluster of stars and the comet.' M53: February 26, 1777 `Nebula without stars discovered below and near Coma Berenices, a little distant from the star 42 in that constellation, according to Flamsteed. This nebula is round and conspicuous. The Comet of 1779 was compared directly with this nebula, and M. Messier has reported it on the chart of that comet, which will be included in the volume of the Academy for 1779. Reviewed on April 13, 1781: It resembles the nebula which is below Lepus (M79).' M54: July 24, 1778 `Very faint nebula, discovered in Sagittarius; its center is brilliant and it contains no star, seen with an achromatic telescope of 3.5 feet [FL]. Its position has been determined from Zeta Sagittarii, of 3rd magnitude.' M55: July 24, 1778 `A nebula which is a whitish spot, of about 6' extension, its light is even and does not appear to contain any star. Its position has been determined from zeta Sagittarii, with the use of an intermediate star of 7th magnitude. This nebula has been discovered by M. l'Abbe de LaCaille, see Mem. Acad. 1755, p. 194 [Glyn Jones has erroneously 1775]. M. Messier has looked for it in vain on July 29, 1764, as reported in his memoir.' M56: January 23, 1779 `Nebula without stars, having little light; M. Messier discovered it on the same day as he found the comet of 1779, January 19. On the 23rd, he determined its position by comparing it with the star 2 Cygni, according to Flamsteed: it is near the Milky Way; and close to it is a star of 10th magnitude. M. Messier reported it on the chart of the comet of 1779.' M57: January 31, 1779 (planetary nebula in constellation of Lyra) 
`A cluster of light between Gamma and Beta Lyrae, discovered when looking for the Comet of 1779, which has passed it very close: it seems that this patch of light, which is round, must be composed of very small stars: with the best telescopes it is impossible to distinguish them; there stays only a suspicion that they are there.'M. Messier reported this patch of light on the Chart of the Comet of 1779. M. Darquier, at Toulouse, discovered it when observing the same comet, and he reported: 'Nebula between gamma and beta Lyrae; it is very dull, but perfectly outlined; it is as large as Jupiter and resembles a planet which is fading.' Clearly with modern instruments we can watch the nebula in close-up and it doesn't seem dull at all. M58: April 15, 1779 `Very faint nebula discovered in Virgo, almost on the same parallel as epsilon [Virginis], 3rd mag. The slightest light for illuminating the micrometer wires makes it disappear. M. Messier reported it on the chart of the Comet of 1779, which is located inthe volume of the Academy for the same year.' M59: April 15, 1779 `Nebula in Virgo and in the neighborhood of the preceding [M58], on the parallel of epsilon [Virginis], which has served for its [position] determination: it is of the same light as the above, equally faint. M. Messier reported it on the Chart of the Comet of 1779.' M60: April 15, 1779 `Nebula in Virgo, a little more distinct than the two preceding [M58 and M59], on the same parallel as epsilon [Virginis], which has served for its [position] determination. M. Messier reported it on the Chart of the Comet of 1779. He discovered these three nebulae while observing this Comet which passed very close to them. The latter passed so near on April 13 and 14 that the one and the other were both in the same field [of view] of the refractor, and he could not see it; it was not until the 15th, while looking for the Comet, that he perceived the nebula. These three nebulae don't appear to contain any star.' M61: May 11, 1779 `Nebula, very faint and difficult to perceive. M. Messier mistook this nebula for the Comet of 1779, on the 5th, 6th and 11th of May; on the 11th he recognized that this was not the Comet, but a nebula which was located on its path and in the same point [place] of the sky.' M62: June 4, 1779 `Very beautiful nebula, discovered in Scorpio, it resembles a little Comet, the center is brilliant and surrounded by a faint glow. Its position [was] determined, by comparing it with the star Tau of Scorpius. M. Messier had already seen this nebula on June 7, 1771, without having determined the position where it is close to. Reviewed on on March 22, 1781.' M63: June 14, 1779 `Nebula discovered by M. Méchain in Canes Venatici. M. Messier searched for it; it is faint, it has nearly the same light as the nebula reported under no. 59 [M59]: it contains no star, and the slightest illumination of the micrometer wires makes it disappear: it is close to a star of 8th magnitude, which precedes the nebula on the hour wire. M. Messier has reported its position on the Chart of the track of the Comet of 1779.' M64: March 1, 1780 `Nebula discovered in Coma Berenices, which is about half as apparent as that which is below the hair [M53]. M. Messier has reported its position on the Chart of the Comet of 1779. Reviewed on March 17, 1781.' M65: March 1, 1780 `Nebula discovered in Leo: It is very faint and contains no star.' M66: March 1, 1780 `Nebula discovered in Leo; its light is very faint and it is very close to the preceding [M65]: They both appear in the same field [of view] in the refractor. The comet of 1773 and 1774 has passed between these two nebulae on November 1 to 2, 1773. M. Messier didn't see them at that time, no doubt, because of the light of the comet.' M67: April 6, 1780 `Cluster of small stars with nebulosity, below the southern claw of Cancer. The position determined from the star Alpha [Cancri].' M68: April 9, 1780 `Nebula without stars below Corvus and Hydra; it is very faint, very difficult to see with the refractors; near it is star of sixth magnitude.' M69: August 31, 1780 `Nebula without star, in Sagittarius, below his left arm and near the arc; near it is a star of 9th magnitude; its light is very faint, one can only see it under good weather, and the least light employed to illuminate the micrometer wires makes it disappear: its position has been determined from Epsilon Sagittarii: this nebula has been observed by M. de La Caille, and reported in his Catalog; it resembles the nucleus of a small Comet. (diam 2')' M70: August 31, 1780 `Nebula without star, near the preceding [M69], and on the same parallel: near it is a star of the nineth magnitude and four small telescopic stars, almost on the same straight line, very close to one another, and [they] are situated above the nebula, as seen in a reversing telescope; the [position of the] nebula was determined from the same star Epsilon Sagittarii. (diam 2')' M71: October 4, 1780 `Nebula discovered by M. Méchain on June 28, 1780, between the stars Gamma and Delta Sagittae. On October 4 following, M. Messier looked for it: its light is very faint and it contains no star; the least light makes it disappear. It is situated about 4 degrees below [south of] that which M. Messier discovered in Vulpecula. See No. 27. He reported it on the Chart of the Comet of 1779. (diam 3.5')' M72: October 4, 1780 `Nebula seen by M. Méchain in the night of August 29-30, 1780, above the neck of Capricorn. M. Messier looked for it on the 4th and 5th October following: the light is as faint as for the preceding [M71]; near it is a small telescopic star: the position was determined from the star Nu Aquarii, of fifth magnitude. (diam 2')' M73: October 4 and 5, 1780 `Cluster of three or four small stars, which resembles a nebula at first sight, containing a little nebulosity: this cluster is situated on the same parallel as the preceding nebula [M72]: its position was determined from the same star Nu Aquarii.' M74: October 18, 1780 `Nebula without stars, near the star Eta Piscium, seen by M. Méchain at the end of September 1780, and he reports: "This nebula doesn't contain any stars; it is fairly large, very obscure, and extremely difficult to observe; one can recognize it with more certainty in fine, frosty conditions". M. Messier looked for it and found it, as M. Méchain describes it: it has been compared directly with the star Eta Piscium.' M75: October 18, 1780 `Nebula without star, between Sagittarius and the head of Capricorn; seen by M. Méchain on August 27 and 28, 1780. M. Messier looked for it on the following October 5, and on October 18, compared it [i.e., its position] with the star 4 Capricorni, of sixth magnitude, according to Flamsteed: it seemed to M. Messier to be composed of nothing but very small [faint] stars, containing nebulosity: M. Méchain reported it as a nebula without stars. M. Messier saw it on October 5; but the Moon being above the horizon, and it was not until the 18th of the same month that he was able to judge about its form and determine its position.' M76: October 21, 1780 (Little Dumbbel Nebula)  `Nebula at the right foot of Andromeda, seen by M. Méchain on September 5, 1780, and he reports: "This nebula contains no star; it is small and faint". On the following October 21, M. Messier looked for it with his achromatic telescope, and it seemed to him that it was composed of nothing but small stars, containing nebulosity, and that the least light employed to illuminate the micrometer wires causes it disappear: its position was determined from the star Phi Andromedae, of fourth magnitude. (diam. 2')' M77: December 17, 1780 `Cluster of small stars, which contains some nebulosity, in Cetus and on the parallel of the star Delta, reported of the third magnitude, and which M. Messier estimated to be hardly of the fifth. M. Méchain saw this cluster on October 29, 1780 in the form of a nebula.' M78: December 17, 1780 `Cluster of stars, with much nebulosity in Orion and on the same parallel as the star Delta in the belt, which has served to determine its position; the cluster follows [is east of] the star on the hour wire at 3d 41', and the cluster is above [north of] the star by 27'7". M. Méchain had seen this cluster at the beginning of 1780, and reported: "On the left side of Orion [Glyn Jones has, erroneously, the right]; 2 to 3 minutes in diameter, one can see two fairly bright nuclei, surrounded by nebulosity". (diam. 3')' M79: December 17, 1780 `Nebula without star, situated below Lepus, and on the same parallel as a star of sixth magnitude: seen by M. Méchain on October 26, 1780. M. Messier looked for it on the following December 17: this nebula is beautiful; the center brilliant, the nebulosity a little diffuse; its position was determined from the star Epsilon Leporis, of fourth magnitude.' M80: January 4, 1781 `Nebula without star, in Scorpius, between the stars g. [now Rho Ophiuchi] and Delta, compared to g to determine its position: this nebula is round, the center brilliant, and it resembles the nucleus of a small Comet, surrounded with nebulosity. M. Méchain saw it on January 27, 1781. (diam. 2')' M81: February 9, 1781 `A nebula near the ear of the great Bear [Ursa Major], on the parallel of the star d, of fourth or fifth magnitude: its position was determined from that star. This nebula is a little oval, the center clear, and one can see it well in an ordinary telescope of 3.5 feet [FL]. It was discovered by M. Bode at Berlin on December 31, 1774, and by M. Méchain, in the month August 1779.' M82: February 9, 1781 `Nebula without star, near the preceding [M81]; both are appearing in the same field of the telescope, this one is less distinct than the preceding; its light faint and [it is] elongated: at its extremity is a telescopic star. Seen at Berlin, by M. Bode, on December 31, 1774, and by M. Méchain in the month August 1779.' M83: February 17, 1781 (one of the closest and brightest spiral galaxies in the sky) 
`Nebula without star, near the head of Centaurus: it appears as a faint and even glow, but it is difficult to see in the telescope, as the least light to illuminate the micrometer wires makes it disappear. One is only able with the greatest concentration to see it at all: it forms a triangle with two stars estimated of sixth and seventh magnitude: [its position was] determined from the stars i, k and h in the head of Centaurus: M. de la Caille has already determined this nebula. See the end of this Catalog.' M84: March 18, 1781 `Nebula without star, in Virgo; the center it is a bit brilliant, surrounded with a slight nebulosity: its brightness and its appearance resemble that of those in this Catalog, No.s 59 and 60.' M85: March 18, 1781 `Nebula without star, above and near to the ear of the Virgin [Virgo], between the two stars in Coma Berenices, No.s 11 and 14 of the Catalog of Flamsteed: this nebula is very faint. M. Méchain had determined its position on March 4, 1781.' M86: March 18, 1781 `Nebula without star, in Virgo, on the parallel and very near to the nebula above, No. 84: their appearances are the same, and both appear together in the same field of the telescope.' M87: March 18, 1781 `Nebula without star, in Virgo, below and very near a star of eighth magnitude, the star having the same Right Ascension as the nebula, and its Declination was 13d 42' 21" north. This nebula appears at the same luminosity as the two nebulae Nos. 84 and 86.' M88: March 18, 1781 `Nebula without star, in Virgo, between two small stars and one star of the sixth magnitude, which appear at the same time as the nebula in the field of the telescope. Its luminosity is one of the faintest, and [it] resembles the one reported in Virgo, No. 58.' M89: March 18, 1781 `Nebula without star, in Virgo, a little of distance from and on the same parallel as the nebula reported above, No. 87. Its light was extremely faint and pale, and and it is not without difficulty that one can distinguish it.' M90: March 18, 1781 `Nebula without star, in Virgo: its light is as faint as the preceding, No. 89.' M91: March 18, 1781 `Nebula without star, in Virgo, above the preceding No. 90: its light is still fainter than that of the above.' M92: March 18, 1781 `Nebula, fine, distinct, and very bright, between the knee and the left leg of Hercules, it can be seen very well in a telescope of one foot [FL]. It contains no star; the center is clear and brilliant, surrounded by nebulosity and [it] resembles the nucleus of a large Comet: its brightness, its size, approach much that of the nebula which is in the girdle of Hercules. See No. 13 of this Catalog: its position has been determined, by direct comparison with the star Sigma Herculis, fourth magnitude: the nebula and the star are on the same parallel. (diam. 5')' M93: March 20, 1781 `Cluster of small stars, without nebulosity, between the Greater Dog [Canis Major] and the prow of the ship [Puppis of Argo Navis]. (diam 8')' M94: March 24, 1781 `Nebula without star, above the Heart of Charles [alpha Canum Venaticorum], on the parallel of the star no. 8, of sixth magnitude of the Hunting Dogs [Canes Venatici], according to Flamsteed: In the center it is brilliant and the nebulosity [is] a bit diffuse. It resembles the nebula which is below Lepus, No. 79; but this on is more beautiful and brighter: M. Méchain has discovered this one on March 22, 1781. (diam. 2.5')' M95: March 24, 1781 `Nebula without star, in the Lion [Leo], above star l (53 Leonis): its light is very faint.' M96: March 24, 1781 `Nebula without star, in the Lion [Leo], near the preceding [No. 95]: this one is less distinct, both are on the same parallel of Regulus: they resemble the two nebulae in the Virgin [Virgo], Nos. 84 and 86. M. Méchain saw them both on March 20, 1781.' M97: March 24, 1781 `Nebula in the great Bear [Ursa Major], near Beta: It is difficulat to see, reports M. Méchain, especially when one illuminates the micrometer wires: its light is faint, without a star. M. Méchain saw it the first time on Feb 16, 1781, and the position is that given by him. Near this nebula he has seen another one, [the position of] which has not yet been determined [M108], and also a third which is near Gamma of the Great Bear [M109 near Gamma Ursae Majoris]. (diam. 2')' M98: April 13, 1781 `Nebula without star, of an extremely faint light, above the northern wing of the Virgin [Virgo], on the parallel and close to the star no. 6, fifth magnitude, of the hair of Berenice [Coma Berenices], according to Flamsteed. M. Méchain saw it on Mar 15, 1781.' M99: April 13, 1781 `Nebula without star, of a very rare [pale, faint] light, nevertheless a little clearer than the preceding [M98], situated on the northern wing of the Virgin [Virgo], and near the same star, no. 6, of the hair of Berenice [Comae Berenices]. The nebula is between two stars of seventh and of eighth magnitude. M. Méchain saw it on March 15, 1781.' M100: April 13, 1781 `Nebula without star, of the same light as the preceding [M99], situated in the ear of Virgo. Seen by M. Méchain on March 15, 1781. These three nebulae, nos. 98, 99 and 100, are very difficult to recognize, because of the faintness of their light: one can observe them only in good weather, and near their passage of the Meridian.' M101: March 27, 1781 (also known as the Pinwheel galaxy) 
`Nebula without star, very obscure and pretty large, of 6 or 7 minutes [of arc] in diameter, between the left hand of Bootes and the tail of the great Bear [Ursa Major]. It is difficult to distinguish when one lits the [graticule] wires. (diam. 7')'M102 Méchain: `Nebula between the stars Omicron of Bootes and Iota of the Dragon [Draco]: it is very faint; near it is a star of the sixth magnitude.' M103 Méchain: `Cluster of stars between Epsilon and Delta of the leg of Cassiopeia.' M104: May 11, 1781 (also known as the Sombrero nebula) 
Messier's handwritten note in his copy of the Connoissance des Temps for 1784 (May 11, 1781). `Very faint nebula, seen by M. Méchain on May 11, 1781.'M105 Méchain in his letter to Bernoulli, May 6, 1783: `Mr. Messier mentions there on page 264 and 265 two nebulous stars, which I have discovered in the Lion [Leo; M95 and M96]. I find nothing to correct for the given positions which I have determined by comparison of their situation with respect to Regulus. There is, however, a third one, somewhat more northerly, which is even more vivid [brighter] than the two preceding ones [M95 and M96]. I discovered this one on March 24, 1781, 4 or 5 days after I had found the other two. On April 10, I compared its situation with Gamma Leonis from which followed its right ascension 159d 3' 45" and its northern declination of 13d 43' 58".' M106 Méchain in his letter to Bernoulli, May 6, 1783: `In July 1781 I found another nebula close to the Great Bear [Ursa Major] near the star No. 3 of the Hunting Dogs [Canes Venatici] and 1 deg more south, I estimate its right ascension 181d 40' and its northern declination about 49d. I will be going to determine the more acurate position of this one shortly.' M107 Méchain in his letter to Bernoulli, May 6, 1783: `In April 1782 I discovered a small nebula in the left flank of Ophiuchus between the stars Zeta and Phi, the position of which I have not yet observed any closer.' M108 From the description of M97: `Nebula near [M97 and Beta UMa], [position] yet to be determined M109 From the description of M97: `A Nebula which is near Gamma UMa.' M110 On August 10, [1773,] I examined, under a very good sky, the beautiful nebula of the girdle of Andromeda [M31], with my achromatic refractor, which I had made to magnify 68 times, for creating a drawing like the one of that in Orion [M42] (Mém. de l'acad. 1771, pag. 460). I saw that [nebula] which C. [Citizen] Legentil discovered on October 29, 1749 [M32]. I also saw a new, fainter one, placed north of the great [nebula], which was distant from it about 35' in right ascension and 24' in declination. It appeared to me amazing that this faint nebula has escaped [the discovery by] the astronomers and myself, since the discovery of the great [nebula] by Simon Marius in 1612, because when observing the great [nebula], the small is located in the same field [of view] of the telescope. I will give a drawing of that remarkable nebula in the girdle of Andromeda, with the two small which accompany it. Original source of this content can be found at http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/history/m-cat.html and was copied in 2006. Compared to the source, this content has been altered in structure only, to improve readability, and pictures were added. The original comments from Messier have been preserved fully. Related subject>> Charles Messier |
 Charles Messier at the age of 40 |
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