The Messier objects are a set of astronomical objects catalogued by the French astronomer Charles Messier in his "Catalogue des Nébuleuses et des Amas d'Étoiles" ("Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters"), originally published in 1771, with the last addition (based on Messier's observations) made in 1966.[1]
Because Messier was interested in finding only comets, he created a list of non-comet objects that frustrated his hunt for them. The compilation of this list, in collaboration with his assistant Pierre Méchain, is known as the Messier catalogue. This catalogue of objects is one of the most famous lists of astronomical objects, and many Messier objects are still referenced by their Messier number.[2]
The first edition included 45 objects, with Messier's final list totaling 103 objects. However, Messier 102 was not reported correctly, bringing the total to 102 objects. Other astronomers, using side notes in Messier's texts, eventually filled out the list to 110 objects.
Messier objects[]
Open cluster
Globular cluster
Nebula
Planetary nebula
Supernova remnant
Galaxy
Other
Messier number | NGC Number | Common name | Picture | Object type | Distance (kly) | Constellation | Apparent magnitude |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
M1[3] | NGC 1952 | Crab Nebula | Supernova remnant | 6.3 | Taurus | 9.0 | |
M2[4] | NGC 7089 | Cluster, globular | 36 | Aquarius | 7.5 | ||
M3[5] | NGC 5272 | Cluster, globular | 31 | Canes Venatici | 7.0 | ||
M4[6] | NGC 6121 | Cluster, globular | 7 | Scorpius | 7.5 | ||
M5[7] | NGC 5904 | Cluster, globular | 23 | Serpens | 7.0 | ||
M6[8] | NGC 6405 | Butterfly Cluster | Cluster, open | 2 | Scorpius | 4.5 | |
M7[9] | NGC 6475 | Ptolemy Cluster | Cluster, open | 1 | Scorpius | 3.5 | |
M8[10] | NGC 6523 | Lagoon Nebula | Nebula with cluster | 6.5 | Sagittarius | 6.0 | |
M9[11] | NGC 6333 | Cluster, globular | 26 | Ophiuchus | 9.0 | ||
M10[12] | NGC 6254 | Cluster, globular | 13 | Ophiuchus | 7.5 | ||
M11[13] | NGC 6705 | Wild Duck Cluster | Cluster, open | 6 | Scutum | 7.0 | |
M12[14] | NGC 6218 | Cluster, globular | 18 | Ophiuchus | 8.0 | ||
M13[15] | NGC 6205 | Great Globular Cluster in Hercules | Cluster, globular | 22 | Hercules | 5.8 | |
M14[16] | NGC 6402 | Cluster, globular | 27 | Ophiuchus | 9.5 | ||
M15[17] | NGC 7078 | Cluster, globular | 33 | Pegasus | 7.5 | ||
M16[18] | NGC 6611 | Eagle Nebula | Nebula, H II region with cluster | 7 | Serpens | 6.5 | |
M17[19] | NGC 6618 | Omega, Swan, Horseshoe, or Lobster Nebula | Nebula, H II region with cluster | 5 | Sagittarius | 6.0 | |
M18[20] | NGC 6613 | Cluster, open | 6 | Sagittarius | 8.0 | ||
M19[21] | NGC 6273 | Cluster, globular | 27 | Ophiuchus | 8.5 | ||
M20[22] | NGC 6514 | Trifid Nebula | Nebula, H II region with cluster | 5.2 | Sagittarius | 6.3 | |
M21[23] | NGC 6531 | Cluster, open | 3 | Sagittarius | 7.0 | ||
M22[24] | NGC 6656 | Sagittarius Cluster | Cluster, globular | 10 | Sagittarius | 5.1 | |
M23[25] | NGC 6494 | Cluster, open | 4.5 | Sagittarius | 6.0 | ||
M24[26] | IC 4715 | Sagittarius Star Cloud | Milky Way star cloud | 10.0 | Sagittarius | 4.6 | |
M25[27] | IC 4725 | Cluster, open | 2 | Sagittarius | 4.9 | ||
M26[28] | NGC 6694 | Cluster, open | 5 | Scutum | 9.5 | ||
M27[29] | NGC 6853 | Dumbbell Nebula | Nebula, planetary | 1.25 | Vulpecula | 7.5 | |
M28[30] | NGC 6626 | Cluster, globular | 18 | Sagittarius | 8.5 | ||
M29[31] | NGC 6913 | Cluster, open | 7.2 | Cygnus | 9.0 | ||
M30[32] | NGC 7099 | Cluster, globular | 25 | Capricornus | 8.5 | ||
M31[33] | NGC 224 | Andromeda Galaxy | Galaxy, spiral | 2,500 | Andromeda | 3.4 | |
M32[34] | NGC 221 | Galaxy, dwarf elliptical | 2,900 | Andromeda | 10.0 | ||
M33[35] | NGC 598 | Triangulum Galaxy | Galaxy, spiral | 2,810 | Triangulum | 5.7 | |
M34[36] | NGC 1039 | Cluster, open | 1.4 | Perseus | 6.0 | ||
M35[37] | NGC 2168 | Cluster, open | 2.8 | Gemini | 5.5 | ||
M36[38] | NGC 1960 | Cluster, open | 4.1 | Auriga | 6.5 | ||
M37[39] | NGC 2099 | Cluster, open | 4.6 | Auriga | 6.0 | ||
M38[40] | NGC 1912 | Cluster, open | 4.2 | Auriga | 7.0 | ||
M39[41] | NGC 7092 | Cluster, open | 0.8 | Cygnus | 5.5 | ||
M40[42] | Winnecke 4 | Double star WNC4 | 0.5 | Ursa Major | 9.0 | ||
M41[43] | NGC 2287 | Cluster, open | 2.3 | Canis Major | 4.5 | ||
M42[44] | NGC 1976 | Orion Nebula | Nebula, H II region | 1.6 | Orion | 4.0 | |
M43[45] | NGC 1982 | De Mairan's Nebula | Nebula, H II region (part of the Orion Nebula) |
1.6 | Orion | 7.0 | |
M44[46] | NGC 2632 | Beehive Cluster | Cluster, open | 0.6 | Cancer | 3.7 | |
M45[47] | Pleiades | Cluster, open | 0.4 | Taurus | 1.6 | ||
M46[48] | NGC 2437 | Cluster, open | 5.4 | Puppis | 6.5 | ||
M47[49] | NGC 2422 | Cluster, open | 1.6 | Puppis | 4.5 | ||
M48[50] | NGC 2548 | Cluster, open | 1.5 | Hydra | 5.5 | ||
M49[51] | NGC 4472 | Galaxy, elliptical | 60,000 | Virgo | 10.0 | ||
M50[52] | NGC 2323 | Cluster, open | 3 | Monoceros | 7.0 | ||
M51[53] | NGC 5194, NGC 5195 | Whirlpool Galaxy | Galaxy, spiral | 37,000 | Canes Venatici | 8.4 | |
M52[54] | NGC 7654 | Cluster, open | 7 | Cassiopeia | 8.0 | ||
M53[55] | NGC 5024 | Cluster, globular | 56 | Coma Berenices | 8.5 | ||
M54[56] | NGC 6715 | Cluster, globular | 83 | Sagittarius | 8.5 | ||
M55[57] | NGC 6809 | Cluster, globular | 17 | Sagittarius | 7.0 | ||
M56[58] | NGC 6779 | Cluster, globular | 32 | Lyra | 9.5 | ||
M57[59] | NGC 6720 | Ring Nebula | Nebula, planetary | 2.3 | Lyra | 8.8 | |
M58[60] | NGC 4579 | Galaxy, barred spiral | 60,000 | Virgo | 11.0 | ||
M59[61] | NGC 4621 | Galaxy, elliptical | 60,000 | Virgo | 11.5 | ||
M60[62] | NGC 4649 | Galaxy, elliptical | 60,000 | Virgo | 10.5 | ||
M61[63] | NGC 4303 | Galaxy, spiral | 60,000 | Virgo | 10.5 | ||
M62[64] | NGC 6266 | Cluster, globular | 22 | Ophiuchus | 8.0 | ||
M63[65] | NGC 5055 | Sunflower Galaxy | Galaxy, spiral | 37,000 | Canes Venatici | 8.5 | |
M64[66] | NGC 4826 | Black Eye Galaxy | Galaxy, spiral | 12,000 | Coma Berenices | 9.0 | |
M65[67] | NGC 3623 | Galaxy, barred spiral | 35,000 | Leo | 10.5 | ||
M66[68] | NGC 3627 | Galaxy, barred spiral | 35,000 | Leo | 10.0 | ||
M67[69] | NGC 2682 | Cluster, open | 2.25 | Cancer | 7.5 | ||
M68[70] | NGC 4590 | Cluster, globular | 32 | Hydra | 9.0 | ||
M69[71] | NGC 6637 | Cluster, globular | 25 | Sagittarius | 9.0 | ||
M70[72] | NGC 6681 | Cluster, globular | 28 | Sagittarius | 9.0 | ||
M71[73] | NGC 6838 | Cluster, globular | 12 | Sagitta | 8.5 | ||
M72[74] | NGC 6981 | Cluster, globular | 53 | Aquarius | 10.0 | ||
M73[75] | NGC 6994 | Asterism | Aquarius | 9.0 | |||
M74[76] | NGC 628 | Galaxy, spiral | 35,000 | Pisces | 10.5 | ||
M75[77] | NGC 6864 | Cluster, globular | 58 | Sagittarius | 9.5 | ||
M76[78] | NGC 650, NGC 651 | Little Dumbbell Nebula | Nebula, planetary | 3.4 | Perseus | 10.1 | |
M77[79] | NGC 1068 | Galaxy, spiral | 60,000 | Cetus | 10.5 | ||
M78[80] | NGC 2068 | Nebula, diffuse | 1.6 | Orion | 8.0 | ||
M79[81] | NGC 1904 | Cluster, globular | 40 | Lepus | 8.5 | ||
M80[82] | NGC 6093 | Cluster, globular | 27 | Scorpius | 8.5 | ||
M81[83] | NGC 3031 | Bode's Galaxy | Galaxy, spiral | 12,000 | Ursa Major | 6.9 | |
M82[84] | NGC 3034 | Cigar Galaxy | Galaxy, starburst | 11,000 | Ursa Major | 9.5 | |
M83[85] | NGC 5236 | Southern Pinwheel Galaxy | Galaxy, barred spiral | 10,000 | Hydra | 8.5 | |
M84[86] | NGC 4374 | Galaxy, lenticular | 60,000 | Virgo | 11.0 | ||
M85[87] | NGC 4382 | Galaxy, lenticular | 60,000 | Coma Berenices | 10.5 | ||
M86[88] | NGC 4406 | Galaxy, lenticular | 60,000 | Virgo | 11.0 | ||
M87[89] | NGC 4486 | Galaxy, elliptical | 60,000 | Virgo | 11.0 | ||
M88[90] | NGC 4501 | Galaxy, spiral | 60,000 | Coma Berenices | 11.0 | ||
M89[91] | NGC 4552 | Galaxy, elliptical | 60,000 | Virgo | 11.5 | ||
M90[92] | NGC 4569 | Galaxy, spiral | 60,000 | Virgo | 11.0 | ||
M91[93] | NGC 4548 | Galaxy, barred spiral | 60,000 | Coma Berenices | 11.0 | ||
M92[94] | NGC 6341 | Cluster, globular | 26 | Hercules | 7.5 | ||
M93[95] | NGC 2447 | Cluster, open | 4.5 | Puppis | 6.5 | ||
M94[96] | NGC 4736 | Galaxy, spiral | 14,500 | Canes Venatici | 9.5 | ||
M95[97] | NGC 3351 | Galaxy, barred spiral | 38,000 | Leo | 11.0 | ||
M96[98] | NGC 3368 | Galaxy, spiral | 38,000 | Leo | 10.5 | ||
M97[99] | NGC 3587 | Owl Nebula | Nebula, planetary | 2.6 | Ursa Major | 9.9 | |
M98[100] | NGC 4192 | Galaxy, spiral | 60,000 | Coma Berenices | 11.0 | ||
M99[101] | NGC 4254 | Galaxy, spiral | 60,000 | Coma Berenices | 10.5 | ||
M100[102] | NGC 4321 | Galaxy, spiral | 60,000 | Coma Berenices | 10.5 | ||
M101[103] | NGC 5457 | Pinwheel Galaxy | Galaxy, spiral | 27,000 | Ursa Major | 7.9 | |
M102[104] | (Not conclusively identified)[105] | ||||||
M103[106] | NGC 581 | Cluster, open | 8 | Cassiopeia | 7.0 | ||
M104[107] | NGC 4594 | Sombrero Galaxy | Galaxy, spiral | 50,000 | Virgo | 9.5 | |
M105[108] | NGC 3379 | Galaxy, elliptical | 38,000 | Leo | 11.0 | ||
M106[109] | NGC 4258 | Galaxy, spiral | 25,000 | Canes Venatici | 9.5 | ||
M107[110] | NGC 6171 | Cluster, globular | 20 | Ophiuchus | 10.0 | ||
M108[111] | NGC 3556 | Galaxy, spiral | 45,000 | Ursa Major | 11.0 | ||
M109[112] | NGC 3992 | Galaxy, barred spiral | 55,000 | Ursa Major | 11.0 | ||
M110[113] | NGC 205 | Galaxy, dwarf elliptical | 2,200 | Andromeda | 10.0 | ||
Messier number | NGC Number | Common name | Picture | Object type | Distance (kly) | Constellation | Apparent magnitude |
Star chart of Messier objects[]
See also[]
- Messier object
References[]
- ^ "SEDS Messier Database". THE MESSIER CATALOG. 10-11-2007. Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^ "Original Messier Catalog of 1781". Original Messier Catalog of 1781. 10-11-2007. Archived from the original on 2012-06-29. Check date values in:
|date=
(help) - ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 1". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 2". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 3". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 4". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 5". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 6". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 7". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 8". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 9". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 10". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 11". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 12". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 13". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 14". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 15". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 16". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 17". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 18". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 19". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 20". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 21". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 22". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 23". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 24". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 25". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 26". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 27". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 28". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 29". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 30". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 31". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 32". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 33". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 34". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 35". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 36". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 37". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 38". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 39". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 40". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 41". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 42". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 43". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 44". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 45". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 46". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 47". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 48". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 49". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 50". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 51". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 52". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 53". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 54". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 55". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 56". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 57". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 58". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 59". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 60". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 61". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 62". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 63". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 64". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 65". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 66". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 67". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 68". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 69". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 70". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 71". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 72". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 73". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 74". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 75". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 76". Retrieved 2009-02-06.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 77". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 78". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 79". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 80". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 81". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 82". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 83". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 84". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 85". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 86". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 87". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 88". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 89". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 90". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 91". Retrieved 2009-02-07.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 92". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 93". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 94". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 95". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 96". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 97". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 98". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 99". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 100". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 101". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 102". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Frommert, Hartmut; Kronberg, Christine (1995-05). "Messier 102". Usenet. Retrieved 2009-02-06. Cite uses deprecated parameter
|coauthors=
(help); Check date values in:|date=
(help) - ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 103". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1771). "Messier 104". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1783). "Messier 105". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1783). "Messier 106". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1783). "Messier 107". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1783). "Messier 108". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1783). "Messier 109". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
- ^ Messier, Charles (1783). "Messier 110". Retrieved 2009-02-08.
External links[]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Messier_objects |
- Messier database from SEDS
- Clickable table of Messier Objects
- Charles Messier's Original Catalogue.
- Images of the 110 Messier objects by 2MASS project.
Template:Messier objects Template:Project Messier Objects