- List of Messier objects
The Messier objects are a set of astronomical objects catalogued by
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. Because Messier was interested in finding onlycomet s, he created a list of non-comet objects that frustrated his hunt for them. The Messier catalogue of objects is one of the most famous lists of astronomical objects, and manyMessier objects are still referenced by their Messier number.The first edition included 45 objects, with Messier's final list totalling 103 objects. Other astronomers, using side notes in Messier's texts, eventually filled out the list to 110 objects.
tar chart of Messier objects
Messier objects
ee also
*
Messier object References
* [http://www.seds.org/messier/ Messier database] from
SEDS
* [http://www.space-and-telescope.com/MessierObjects.aspx Clickable table of Messier Objects]
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