Difference between revisions of "Messier object"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
(Created the page with a history of the Messier catalogue and a list of the objects with some details) |
m (→List: Fix broken link) |
||
| (4 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | The '''Messier objects''' are a collection of over 100 deep sky objects catalogued by [[Charles Messier]].<ref name=constellation-guide>[http://www.constellation-guide.com/messier-objects/ Messier objects] from constellation-guide.com</ref> Messier, who created the list between 1758 and 1782, listed various objects such as [[galaxies]], [[nebulae]], [[globular cluster]]s and [[binary star]]s. Messier enjoyed searching for [[comet]]s in the night sky and created the Messier catalogue as a list of objects often mistaken for comets.<ref name=constellation-guide/> As they only require [[binoculars]] or a small [[telescope]] to observe them with, they are popular targets for amateur astronomers. The list includes some famous objects such as the [[Cigar Galaxy]] and the [[Crab nebula]]. | + | [[File:Hubble Crab Nebula.JPG|thumb|right|200px|alt=Crab nebula, the first Messier object|The [[Crab nebula]], the first Messier object]] |
| + | |||
| + | The '''Messier objects''' are a collection of over 100 deep sky objects catalogued by [[Charles Messier]].<ref name=constellation-guide>[http://www.constellation-guide.com/messier-objects/ Messier objects] from constellation-guide.com</ref> Messier, who created the list between 1758 and 1782, listed various objects such as [[galaxies]], [[nebulae]], [[globular cluster]]s and [[binary star]]s. Messier enjoyed searching for [[comet]]s in the night sky and created the Messier catalogue as a list of objects often mistaken for comets.<ref name=constellation-guide/> This allowed him to quickly check if a newly found object was already known and therefore not a comet. As they only require [[binoculars]] or a small [[telescope]] to observe them with, they are popular targets for amateur astronomers. The list includes some famous objects such as the [[Cigar Galaxy]], the [[Andromeda galaxy]] and the [[Crab nebula]]. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | Charles Messier produced the list with the help of his | + | Charles Messier produced the list with the help of his colleague Pierre Méchain and first published his list in 1774 in the journal of the French Academy of Sciences in [[Paris]] in a work entitiled "Mémoires de l’Academie".<ref name=constellation-guide/> This early version contained a total of 45 objects. A final version of the catalogue was produced in 1782 and contained a total of 103 deep sky objects. A further 7 objects were added to the catalogue after Messier's death between 1921 and 1996.<ref name=constellation-guide/> These were added as evidence was uncovered that they had been observed by Messier or Méchain. |
==List== | ==List== | ||
| Line 18: | Line 20: | ||
! scope="col" | Notes | ! scope="col" | Notes | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Crab nebula|M1]] || Crab Nebula || Supernova remnant || Taurus || 6,500 || 8.4 || One of the most spectacular Messier objects. The supernova occurred in 1054 AD. | + | | [[Crab nebula|M1]] || Crab Nebula || [[Supernova]] remnant || Taurus || 6,500 || 8.4 || One of the most spectacular Messier objects. The supernova occurred in 1054 AD. |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M2 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Aquarius || 37,500 || 6.3 || It was first discovered by Maraldi in 1746 and rediscovered by Messier 14 years later. This cluster contains 150,000 [[star]s. | + | | M2 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Aquarius || 37,500 || 6.3 || It was first discovered by Maraldi in 1746 and rediscovered by Messier 14 years later. This cluster contains 150,000 [[star]]s. |
|- | |- | ||
| M3 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Canes Venatici || 33,900 || 6.2 || M3 is thought to be home to at least 500,000 stars and is well known for the large number of variable stars it contains. Discovered by Messier in 1764, it is just visible to the naked eye if conditions are good. | | M3 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Canes Venatici || 33,900 || 6.2 || M3 is thought to be home to at least 500,000 stars and is well known for the large number of variable stars it contains. Discovered by Messier in 1764, it is just visible to the naked eye if conditions are good. | ||
| Line 32: | Line 34: | ||
| M7 || Ptolemy's Cluster || [[Open cluster]] || Scorpius || 980 || 3.3 || This cluster has been known since ancient times with the first recorded observation by [[Claudius Ptolemy]]. It contains around 80 stars within a volume 25 light years wide. | | M7 || Ptolemy's Cluster || [[Open cluster]] || Scorpius || 980 || 3.3 || This cluster has been known since ancient times with the first recorded observation by [[Claudius Ptolemy]]. It contains around 80 stars within a volume 25 light years wide. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M8 || Lagoon Nebula || Emission | + | | [[Lagoon nebula|M8]] || Lagoon Nebula || [[Emission nebula]] || Sagittarius || 4,100 || 6.0 || This is a star forming cluster can contains at least 5o stars. The light produced by hot stars results in the nebula "glowing." |
|- | |- | ||
| M9 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Ophiuchus || 25,800 || 8.42 || M9 is located close to the centre of the [[Milky Way]]. Although too faint for the naked eye, its 250,000 stars make it a truly impressive cluster. | | M9 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Ophiuchus || 25,800 || 8.42 || M9 is located close to the centre of the [[Milky Way]]. Although too faint for the naked eye, its 250,000 stars make it a truly impressive cluster. | ||
| Line 48: | Line 50: | ||
| M15 || Great Pegasus Cluster || [[Globular cluster]] || Pegasus || 33,600 || 6.2 || | | M15 || Great Pegasus Cluster || [[Globular cluster]] || Pegasus || 33,600 || 6.2 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M16 || Eagle Nebula || | + | | [[Eagle nebula|M16]] || Eagle Nebula || [[Emission nebula]] || Serpens || 7,000 || 6.0 || It is best known for the "pillars of creation" photographed by the [[Hubble Space Telescope]] in 1995. |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M17 || Omega Nebula || | + | | [[Omega nebula|M17]] || Omega Nebula || [[Emission nebula]] || Sagittarius || 5,000-6,000 || 6.0 || M17 is one of the brightest star-forming nebulae in the Milky Way. It is situated in the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way. It is also known as the Lobster nebula, Horseshoe nebula, Swan nebula and the Checkmark nebula. |
|- | |- | ||
| M18 || || [[Open cluster]] || Sagittarius || 4,900 || 7.5 || | | M18 || || [[Open cluster]] || Sagittarius || 4,900 || 7.5 || | ||
| Line 56: | Line 58: | ||
| M19 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Ophiuchus || 28,700 || 7.47 || One of the most oblate cluster known. However, this may be due to intervening [[gas]] and [[dust]], blocking our view. | | M19 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Ophiuchus || 28,700 || 7.47 || One of the most oblate cluster known. However, this may be due to intervening [[gas]] and [[dust]], blocking our view. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M20 || Trifid Nebula || Dark nebula || Sagittarius || 5,200 || 6.3 || Also catalogued as Barnard 85, it is a well known star forming region. Its brightness makes it a popular target for astronomers. It is located near to the Lagoon nebula, M8. | + | | [[Trifid nebula|M20]] || Trifid Nebula || [[Dark nebula]] || Sagittarius || 5,200 || 6.3 || Also catalogued as Barnard 85, it is a well known star forming region. Its brightness makes it a popular target for astronomers. It is located near to the Lagoon nebula, M8. |
|- | |- | ||
| M21 || || [[Open cluster]] || Sagittarius || 4,250 || 6.5 || | | M21 || || [[Open cluster]] || Sagittarius || 4,250 || 6.5 || | ||
| Line 70: | Line 72: | ||
| M26 || || [[Open cluster]] || Scutum || 5,000 || 8.0 || | | M26 || || [[Open cluster]] || Scutum || 5,000 || 8.0 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M27 || Dumbbell Nebula || Planetary nebula || Vulpecula || 1,360 || 7.5 || It is the second brightest planetary nebula in the night sky. | + | | [[Dumbbel nebula|M27]] || Dumbbell Nebula || [[Planetary nebula]] || Vulpecula || 1,360 || 7.5 || It is the second brightest planetary nebula in the night sky. |
|- | |- | ||
| M28 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Sagittarius || 17,900 || 7.66 || | | M28 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Sagittarius || 17,900 || 7.66 || | ||
| Line 100: | Line 102: | ||
| M41 || || [[Open cluster]] || Canis Major || 2,300 || 4.5 || Relatively loose cluster containing 100 [[star]]s. | | M41 || || [[Open cluster]] || Canis Major || 2,300 || 4.5 || Relatively loose cluster containing 100 [[star]]s. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | [[Orion nebula|M42]] || Orion Nebula || | + | | [[Orion nebula|M42]] || Orion Nebula || [[Diffuse nebula]] || Orion || 1,344 || 4.0 || A famous nebula, it is visible to the naked eye. It forms the middle "star" in Orion's sword and covers four times more area than a full moon on the sky. |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M43 || De Mairan's Nebula || | + | | M43 || De Mairan's Nebula || [[Diffuse nebula]] || Orion || 1,600 || 9.0 || Situated just below Orion's belt, it is separated from the [[Orion nebula]] by a dust lane. |
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M44 || Beehive Cluster || [[Open cluster]] || Cancer || 577 || 3.7 || Visible to the naked eye, this cluster has been knwon since ancient times. It contains at least 1000 stars and has a mass between 500 | + | | M44 || Beehive Cluster || [[Open cluster]] || Cancer || 577 || 3.7 || Visible to the naked eye, this cluster has been knwon since ancient times. It contains at least 1000 stars and has a mass between 500 and 600 that of the [[sun]]. |
|- | |- | ||
| M45 || Pleiades || [[Open cluster]] || Taurus || 444 || 1.6 || Also known as the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades contains over 1,000 stars, though only 14 are visible without binoculars. | | M45 || Pleiades || [[Open cluster]] || Taurus || 444 || 1.6 || Also known as the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades contains over 1,000 stars, though only 14 are visible without binoculars. | ||
| Line 118: | Line 120: | ||
| M50 || Heart-Shaped Cluster || [[Open cluster]] || Monoceros || 3,200 || 5.9 || M50 contains at least 100 stars. | | M50 || Heart-Shaped Cluster || [[Open cluster]] || Monoceros || 3,200 || 5.9 || M50 contains at least 100 stars. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M51 || Whirlpool Galaxy || [[Spiral galaxy]] || Canes Venatici || 23,000,000 || 8.4 || A very impressive, it was the first galaxy to be seen with spiral features | + | | [[Whirlpool Galaxy|M51]] || Whirlpool Galaxy || [[Spiral galaxy]] || Canes Venatici || 23,000,000 || 8.4 || A very impressive, it was the first galaxy to be seen with spiral features |
|- | |- | ||
| M52 || || [[Open cluster]] || Cassiopeia || 5,000 || 5.0 || | | M52 || || [[Open cluster]] || Cassiopeia || 5,000 || 5.0 || | ||
| Line 130: | Line 132: | ||
| M56 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Lyra || 32,900 || 8.3 || | | M56 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Lyra || 32,900 || 8.3 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M57 || Ring Nebula || [[Planetary nebula]] || Lyra || 2,300 || 8.8 || Famous [[nebula]], sometimes known as the "donut" nebula. It is one of four planetary nebulae in Messier's list. | + | | [[Ring nebula|M57]] || Ring Nebula || [[Planetary nebula]] || Lyra || 2,300 || 8.8 || Famous [[nebula]], sometimes known as the "donut" nebula. It is one of four planetary nebulae in Messier's list. |
|- | |- | ||
| M58 || || [[Spiral galaxy]] || Virgo || 62,000,000 || 10.5 || This [[Hubble sequence|barred]] spiral galaxy is an "anemic" galaxy, meaning there is little contrast between the [[galactic disk|disk]] and its spiral arms. | | M58 || || [[Spiral galaxy]] || Virgo || 62,000,000 || 10.5 || This [[Hubble sequence|barred]] spiral galaxy is an "anemic" galaxy, meaning there is little contrast between the [[galactic disk|disk]] and its spiral arms. | ||
| Line 162: | Line 164: | ||
| M72 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Aquarius || 54,570 || 9.35 || | | M72 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Aquarius || 54,570 || 9.35 || | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M73 || || Asterism || Aquarius || Various || 9 || Formed by four unrelated stars. These stars form a Y shape as they all lie along the same line of sight from [[Earth]]. | + | | M73 || || [[Asterism]] || Aquarius || Various || 9 || Formed by four unrelated stars. These stars form a Y shape as they all lie along the same line of sight from [[Earth]]. |
|- | |- | ||
| M74 || Phantom Galaxy || [[Spiral galaxy]] || Pisces || 30,000,000 || 10 || Thought to contain 100 billion stars, the Phantom galaxy is around the same size as the Milky Way. | | M74 || Phantom Galaxy || [[Spiral galaxy]] || Pisces || 30,000,000 || 10 || Thought to contain 100 billion stars, the Phantom galaxy is around the same size as the Milky Way. | ||
| Line 172: | Line 174: | ||
| M77 || Cetus A || [[Spiral galaxy]] || Cetus || 47,000,000 || 9.6 || A barred spiral galaxy, it is the nearest Seyfert galaxy to the Milky Way. | | M77 || Cetus A || [[Spiral galaxy]] || Cetus || 47,000,000 || 9.6 || A barred spiral galaxy, it is the nearest Seyfert galaxy to the Milky Way. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M78 || || Reflection nebula || Orion || 1,600 || 8.3 || | + | | M78 || || [[Reflection nebula]] || Orion || 1,600 || 8.3 || |
|- | |- | ||
| M79 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Lepus || 41,000 || 8.56 || | | M79 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Lepus || 41,000 || 8.56 || | ||
| Line 178: | Line 180: | ||
| M80 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Scorpius || 32,600 || 7.87 || Contains over 200,000 stars. | | M80 || || [[Globular cluster]] || Scorpius || 32,600 || 7.87 || Contains over 200,000 stars. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M81 || Bode's Galaxy || [[Spiral galaxy]] || Ursa Major || 11,800,000 || 6.94 || This [Grand design galaxy]] is one of the largest and nearest to the [[Local Group]]. | + | | M81 || Bode's Galaxy || [[Spiral galaxy]] || Ursa Major || 11,800,000 || 6.94 || This [[Grand Design Galaxy|Grand design galaxy]] is one of the largest and nearest to the [[Local Group]]. |
|- | |- | ||
| [[Cigar Galaxy|M82]] || Cigar Galaxy || [[Galaxy|Starburst galaxy]] || Ursa Major || 11,400,000-12,400,000 || 8.41 || One of the more impressive galaxies in Messier's catalogue, it is five times brighter than the Milky Way. | | [[Cigar Galaxy|M82]] || Cigar Galaxy || [[Galaxy|Starburst galaxy]] || Ursa Major || 11,400,000-12,400,000 || 8.41 || One of the more impressive galaxies in Messier's catalogue, it is five times brighter than the Milky Way. | ||
| Line 186: | Line 188: | ||
| M84 || || [[Galaxy]] || Virgo || 60,000,000 || 10.1 || This galaxy may be [[Elliptical galaxy|elliptical]] or [[Lenticular galaxy|lenticular]] in nature. It is a member of the Virgo Cluster. | | M84 || || [[Galaxy]] || Virgo || 60,000,000 || 10.1 || This galaxy may be [[Elliptical galaxy|elliptical]] or [[Lenticular galaxy|lenticular]] in nature. It is a member of the Virgo Cluster. | ||
|- | |- | ||
| − | | M85 || || [[Galaxy]] || Coma Berenices || 60,000,000 || 10 || M85 was thought to be classified as S0 (a [[lenticular galaxy) but is now thought to be E1 (an [[elliptical galaxy]]). | + | | M85 || || [[Galaxy]] || Coma Berenices || 60,000,000 || 10 || M85 was thought to be classified as S0 (a [[lenticular galaxy]]) but is now thought to be E1 (an [[elliptical galaxy]]). |
|- | |- | ||
| M86 || || [[Galaxy]] || Virgo || 52,000,000 || 9.8 || Messier 85 is sometimes classified as an E3 [[elliptical galaxy]] or an S0 [[lenticular galaxy]]. Nowadays, it tends to be classified as lenticular. The galaxy contains at least 400 billion stars. | | M86 || || [[Galaxy]] || Virgo || 52,000,000 || 9.8 || Messier 85 is sometimes classified as an E3 [[elliptical galaxy]] or an S0 [[lenticular galaxy]]. Nowadays, it tends to be classified as lenticular. The galaxy contains at least 400 billion stars. | ||
| Line 245: | Line 247: | ||
[[Category:Astronomy]] | [[Category:Astronomy]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Messier | + | [[Category:Messier Objects]] |
Latest revision as of 19:04, April 3, 2019
The Crab nebula, the first Messier object
The Messier objects are a collection of over 100 deep sky objects catalogued by Charles Messier.[1] Messier, who created the list between 1758 and 1782, listed various objects such as galaxies, nebulae, globular clusters and binary stars. Messier enjoyed searching for comets in the night sky and created the Messier catalogue as a list of objects often mistaken for comets.[1] This allowed him to quickly check if a newly found object was already known and therefore not a comet. As they only require binoculars or a small telescope to observe them with, they are popular targets for amateur astronomers. The list includes some famous objects such as the Cigar Galaxy, the Andromeda galaxy and the Crab nebula.
History
Charles Messier produced the list with the help of his colleague Pierre Méchain and first published his list in 1774 in the journal of the French Academy of Sciences in Paris in a work entitiled "Mémoires de l’Academie".[1] This early version contained a total of 45 objects. A final version of the catalogue was produced in 1782 and contained a total of 103 deep sky objects. A further 7 objects were added to the catalogue after Messier's death between 1921 and 1996.[1] These were added as evidence was uncovered that they had been observed by Messier or Méchain.
List
The following is a list of the 110 Messier objects.[2]
| Designation | Common Name | Type | Constellation | Distance (ly) | Apparent Magnitude | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 | Crab Nebula | Supernova remnant | Taurus | 6,500 | 8.4 | One of the most spectacular Messier objects. The supernova occurred in 1054 AD. |
| M2 | Globular cluster | Aquarius | 37,500 | 6.3 | It was first discovered by Maraldi in 1746 and rediscovered by Messier 14 years later. This cluster contains 150,000 stars. | |
| M3 | Globular cluster | Canes Venatici | 33,900 | 6.2 | M3 is thought to be home to at least 500,000 stars and is well known for the large number of variable stars it contains. Discovered by Messier in 1764, it is just visible to the naked eye if conditions are good. | |
| M4 | Globular cluster | Scorpius | 7,200 | 5.9 | Discovered by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux in 1745-46, it is one of the nearest clusters to Earth. Unusually for a cluster, it possesses a bar like structure. It also contains much interstellar material. | |
| M5 | Globular cluster | Serpens | 24,500 | 6.65 | It was first observed by Gottfried Kirch in 1702 and is elliptical in nature. | |
| M6 | Butterfly Cluster | Open cluster | Scorpius | 1,600 | 4.2 | Discovered by Hodierna at some time before 1654, the Butterfly cluster contains many variable stars. This means the brightness of the cluster varies noticeably. |
| M7 | Ptolemy's Cluster | Open cluster | Scorpius | 980 | 3.3 | This cluster has been known since ancient times with the first recorded observation by Claudius Ptolemy. It contains around 80 stars within a volume 25 light years wide. |
| M8 | Lagoon Nebula | Emission nebula | Sagittarius | 4,100 | 6.0 | This is a star forming cluster can contains at least 5o stars. The light produced by hot stars results in the nebula "glowing." |
| M9 | Globular cluster | Ophiuchus | 25,800 | 8.42 | M9 is located close to the centre of the Milky Way. Although too faint for the naked eye, its 250,000 stars make it a truly impressive cluster. | |
| M10 | Globular cluster | Ophiuchus | 16,000 | 6.4 | ||
| M11 | Wild Duck Cluster | Open cluster | Scutum | 6,200 | 6.3 | Home to 2,900 stars, the Wild Duck Cluster is one on the most compact clusters known. Through binoculars, it appears diamond shaped. The brightest stars in the cluster form a V shape and are said to look like a flock of ducks in flight. |
| M12 | Gumball Globular | Globular cluster | Ophiuchus | 15,700 | 7.68 | M12 is 75 light years across and contains 200,000 stars. |
| M13 | Hercules Globular Cluster | Globular cluster | Hercules | 22,200 | 5.8 | Containing 300,000 stars, the Hercules Globular cluster can be seen with the naked eye. Messier added it to his catalogue in in 1764. |
| M14 | Globular cluster | Ophiuchus | 30,300 | 7.6 | ||
| M15 | Great Pegasus Cluster | Globular cluster | Pegasus | 33,600 | 6.2 | |
| M16 | Eagle Nebula | Emission nebula | Serpens | 7,000 | 6.0 | It is best known for the "pillars of creation" photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope in 1995. |
| M17 | Omega Nebula | Emission nebula | Sagittarius | 5,000-6,000 | 6.0 | M17 is one of the brightest star-forming nebulae in the Milky Way. It is situated in the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way. It is also known as the Lobster nebula, Horseshoe nebula, Swan nebula and the Checkmark nebula. |
| M18 | Open cluster | Sagittarius | 4,900 | 7.5 | ||
| M19 | Globular cluster | Ophiuchus | 28,700 | 7.47 | One of the most oblate cluster known. However, this may be due to intervening gas and dust, blocking our view. | |
| M20 | Trifid Nebula | Dark nebula | Sagittarius | 5,200 | 6.3 | Also catalogued as Barnard 85, it is a well known star forming region. Its brightness makes it a popular target for astronomers. It is located near to the Lagoon nebula, M8. |
| M21 | Open cluster | Sagittarius | 4,250 | 6.5 | ||
| M22 | Sagittarius Cluster | Globular cluster | Sagittarius | 10,600 | 5.5 | Visible to the naked eye in good conditions. |
| M23 | Open cluster | Sagittarius | 2,150 | 6.9 | ||
| M24 | Sagittarius Star Cloud | Star cloud | Sagittarius | 10,000 | 4.6 | It is the densest star cloud visible with binoculars and located in the Sagittarius arm of the Milky Way. |
| M25 | Open cluster | Sagittarius | 2,000 | 4.6 | ||
| M26 | Open cluster | Scutum | 5,000 | 8.0 | ||
| M27 | Dumbbell Nebula | Planetary nebula | Vulpecula | 1,360 | 7.5 | It is the second brightest planetary nebula in the night sky. |
| M28 | Globular cluster | Sagittarius | 17,900 | 7.66 | ||
| M29 | Open cluster | Cygnus | 4,000 | 7.1 | Is visible with a small telescope | |
| M30 | Globular cluster | Capricornus | 27,140 | 7.7 | ||
| M31 | Andromeda Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Andromeda | 2,540,000 | 3.44 | The Andromeda galaxy is our closest major galaxy. It is approaching us at 301 km/s and contains around 1 trillion stars. |
| M32 | Le Gentil | Dwarf galaxy | Andromeda | 2,490,000 | 8.08 | M32 is a dwarf galaxy and a satellite galaxy of M31. |
| M33 | Triangulum Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Triangulum | 2.38 to 3.07 million | 5.72 | The third largest galaxy in the Local group after Andromeda and the Milky Way. It is the nearest spiral galaxy after Andromeda. |
| M34 | Open cluster | Perseus | 1,500 | 5.5 | ||
| M35 | Open cluster | Gemini | 2,800 | 5.3 | The cluster contains several hundred stars. | |
| M36 | Pinwheel Cluster | Open cluster | Auringa | 4,100 | 6.3 | |
| M37 | Open cluster | Auriga | 4,511 | 6.2 | Lying in the opposite direction from the galactic core, M37 contains over 500 stars, has a mass over 1,500 solar masses and is around 20-25 light years wide. | |
| M38 | Starfish Cluster | Open cluster | Auriga | 4,200 | 7.4 | Invisible to the naked eye, it contains at least 100 stars. |
| M39 | Open cluster | Cygnus | 824.4 | 5.5 | A large open cluster that appears larger than a full moon on the night sky. | |
| M40 | Winnecke 4 | Double star | Ursa Major | 510 | 5.54 | Not a deep sky object and was catalogued by mistake. It is composed of two stars, with magnitudes 9.65 and 10.10. These stars form an optical binary, meaning they line along the same line of sight but are not actually near each other. The furthest star is 1,900 light years away. |
| M41 | Open cluster | Canis Major | 2,300 | 4.5 | Relatively loose cluster containing 100 stars. | |
| M42 | Orion Nebula | Diffuse nebula | Orion | 1,344 | 4.0 | A famous nebula, it is visible to the naked eye. It forms the middle "star" in Orion's sword and covers four times more area than a full moon on the sky. |
| M43 | De Mairan's Nebula | Diffuse nebula | Orion | 1,600 | 9.0 | Situated just below Orion's belt, it is separated from the Orion nebula by a dust lane. |
| M44 | Beehive Cluster | Open cluster | Cancer | 577 | 3.7 | Visible to the naked eye, this cluster has been knwon since ancient times. It contains at least 1000 stars and has a mass between 500 and 600 that of the sun. |
| M45 | Pleiades | Open cluster | Taurus | 444 | 1.6 | Also known as the Seven Sisters, the Pleiades contains over 1,000 stars, though only 14 are visible without binoculars. |
| M46 | Open cluster | Puppis | 5,400 | 6.1 | Contains around 500 stars. | |
| M47 | Open cluster | Puppis | 1,600 | 4.2 | ||
| M48 | Open cluster | Hydra | 1,500 | 5.5 | Has a diameter of 23 light years and contains more than 80 stars. | |
| M49 | Elliptical galaxy | Virgo | 55,900,000 | 9.4 | Brightest member of the Virgo cluster and the second galaxy found outside the Local Group. | |
| M50 | Heart-Shaped Cluster | Open cluster | Monoceros | 3,200 | 5.9 | M50 contains at least 100 stars. |
| M51 | Whirlpool Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Canes Venatici | 23,000,000 | 8.4 | A very impressive, it was the first galaxy to be seen with spiral features |
| M52 | Open cluster | Cassiopeia | 5,000 | 5.0 | ||
| M53 | Globular cluster | Coma Berenices | 58,000 | 8.33 | ||
| M54 | Globular cluster | Sagittarius | 87,400 | 8.37 | This extragalactic globular cluster was the first to be discovered outside our galaxy. It most likely belongs to the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy that orbits our own Milky Way. | |
| M55 | Summer Rose Star | Globular cluster | Sagittarius | 17,600 | 7.42 | Almost 100 light years across, it contains 100,000 stars with a mass of 269,000 times that of the sun. |
| M56 | Globular cluster | Lyra | 32,900 | 8.3 | ||
| M57 | Ring Nebula | Planetary nebula | Lyra | 2,300 | 8.8 | Famous nebula, sometimes known as the "donut" nebula. It is one of four planetary nebulae in Messier's list. |
| M58 | Spiral galaxy | Virgo | 62,000,000 | 10.5 | This barred spiral galaxy is an "anemic" galaxy, meaning there is little contrast between the disk and its spiral arms. | |
| M59 | Elliptical galaxy | Virgo | 60,000,000 | 10.6 | Messier 59 contains an exceptionally high number of globular clusters, estimated at 2,200. | |
| M60 | Elliptical galaxy | Virgo | 55,000,000 | 9.8 | Third brightest member of the Virgo Cluster, which contains over 1,300 galaxies. | |
| M61 | Spiral galaxy | Virgo | 52,500,000 | 10.18 | This spiral galaxy possesses a bar. It is roughly the same size as the Milk Way. | |
| M62 | Globular cluster | Ophiuchus | 22,200 | 7.39 | M62 is quite a dense cluster and found only 6,100 light years from the centre of the Milky Way. | |
| M63 | Sunflower Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Canes Venatici | 37,000,000 | 9.3 | The Sunflower galaxy contains many spiral arms, meaning it is a prototype galaxy for a class called "flocculent spirals." |
| M64 | Black Eye Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Coma Berenices | 24,000,000 | 9.36 | Also known as the Evil Eye galaxy or the Sleeping Beauty galaxy, Messier 64 contains an extraordinarily large dust lane, making for an impressive sight. |
| M65 | Spiral galaxy | Leo | 35,000,000 | 10.25 | ||
| M66 | Spiral galaxy | Leo | 36,000,000 | 8.9 | It is the largest and brightest of the Leo triplet of galaxies. | |
| M67 | King Cobra Cluster | Open cluster | Cancer | 2,610-2,930 | 6.1 | About the size of a full moon, it is one of the oldest clusters known. |
| M68 | Globular cluster | Hydra | 33,600 | 9.67 | ||
| M69 | Globular cluster | Sagittarius | 29,700 | 8.31 | ||
| M70 | Globular cluster | Sagittarius | 29,400 | 9.06 | ||
| M71 | Globular cluster | Sagitta | 13,000 | 6.1 | ||
| M72 | Globular cluster | Aquarius | 54,570 | 9.35 | ||
| M73 | Asterism | Aquarius | Various | 9 | Formed by four unrelated stars. These stars form a Y shape as they all lie along the same line of sight from Earth. | |
| M74 | Phantom Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Pisces | 30,000,000 | 10 | Thought to contain 100 billion stars, the Phantom galaxy is around the same size as the Milky Way. |
| M75 | Globular cluster | Sagittarius | 76,500 | 9.18 | M75 has a diameter of 134 light years. It has the highest density classification of 1 and contains over 400,000 stars. | |
| M76 | Little Dumbbell Nebula | Planetary nebula | Perseus | 2,500 | 10.1 | Sometimes called the Cork nebula or the Barbell nebula, it is named for its resemblance to the larger Dumbbell nebula. |
| M77 | Cetus A | Spiral galaxy | Cetus | 47,000,000 | 9.6 | A barred spiral galaxy, it is the nearest Seyfert galaxy to the Milky Way. |
| M78 | Reflection nebula | Orion | 1,600 | 8.3 | ||
| M79 | Globular cluster | Lepus | 41,000 | 8.56 | ||
| M80 | Globular cluster | Scorpius | 32,600 | 7.87 | Contains over 200,000 stars. | |
| M81 | Bode's Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Ursa Major | 11,800,000 | 6.94 | This Grand design galaxy is one of the largest and nearest to the Local Group. |
| M82 | Cigar Galaxy | Starburst galaxy | Ursa Major | 11,400,000-12,400,000 | 8.41 | One of the more impressive galaxies in Messier's catalogue, it is five times brighter than the Milky Way. |
| M83 | Southern Pinwheel Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Hydra | 15,210,000 | 7.54 | Half the size of the Milky Way, Messier 83 contains a bar. |
| M84 | Galaxy | Virgo | 60,000,000 | 10.1 | This galaxy may be elliptical or lenticular in nature. It is a member of the Virgo Cluster. | |
| M85 | Galaxy | Coma Berenices | 60,000,000 | 10 | M85 was thought to be classified as S0 (a lenticular galaxy) but is now thought to be E1 (an elliptical galaxy). | |
| M86 | Galaxy | Virgo | 52,000,000 | 9.8 | Messier 85 is sometimes classified as an E3 elliptical galaxy or an S0 lenticular galaxy. Nowadays, it tends to be classified as lenticular. The galaxy contains at least 400 billion stars. | |
| M87 | Virgo A | Elliptical galaxy | Virgo | 53,500,000 | 9.59 | Also known as the Smoking Gun, M87 is a supergiant elliptical galaxy. |
| M88 | Spiral galaxy | Coma Berenices | 47,000,000 | 10.4 | ||
| M89 | Elliptical galaxy | Virgo | 50,000,000 | 10.73 | ||
| M90 | Spiral galaxy | Virgo | 58,700,000 | 10.26 | One of the larger spiral galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, it has a diameter of 165,000 light years. | |
| M91 | Spiral galaxy | Coma Berenices | 63,000,000 | 11 | M91 is a barred spiral galaxy and the faintest of all the Messier objects. This makes it one of the most difficult to observe. | |
| M92 | Globular cluster | Hercules | 26,700 | 6.3 | Messier 92 has an estimated mass of 330,000 solar masses. | |
| M93 | Open cluster | Puppis | 3,600 | 6.0 | M93 contains over 80 stars. | |
| M94 | Cat's Eye Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Canes Venatici | 16,000,000 | 8.99 | Also known as the Croc's Eye Galaxy, it is 50,000 light years across. |
| M95 | Spiral galaxy | Leo | 32,600,000 | 11.4 | M95 is one of the fainter objects in the Messier catalogue. It also possesses a bar and is 46,000 light years across. | |
| M96 | Spiral galaxy | Leo | 31,000,000 | 10.1 | ||
| M97 | Owl Nebula | Planetary nebula | Ursa Major | 2,030 | 9.9 | Named after two dark patches in the nebula that make it appear like the eyes of an owl, it has a spatial extension of 1.82 light years. |
| M98 | Spiral galaxy | Coma Berenices | 44,400,000 | 11.0 | Messier 98 is a member of the Virgo Cluster. | |
| M99 | Coma Pinwheel | Spiral galaxy | Coma Berenices | 55,700,000 | 10.4 | Sometimes called the Virgo Cluster Pinwheel, M99 contains two large spiral arms, one of which appears distorted. |
| M100 | Spiral galaxy | Coma Berenices | 55,000,000 | 10.1 | ||
| M101 | Pinwheel Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Ursa Major | 20,900,000 | 7.86 | The galaxy is 70% larger than the Milky Way and thought to contain 1 trillion stars. |
| M102 | Spindle Galaxy | Lenticular galaxy | Draco | 50,000,000 | 10.7 | M102 is an edge-on lenticular galaxy. Unusual for a lenticular galaxy, it contains a large dust lane, leading some to believe it is in fact a spiral galaxy that has been misclassified. |
| M103 | Open cluster | Cassiopeia | 10,000 | 7.4 | ||
| M104 | Sombrero Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Virgo | 29,300,000 | 8.98 | It is named for its large dust lane and unusually large and bright bulge giving it the appearance of a Sombrero. |
| M105 | Elliptical galaxy | Leo | 32,000,000 | 10.2 | ||
| M106 | Spiral galaxy | Canes Venatici | 23,700,000 | 9.1 | ||
| M107 | Globular cluster | Ophiuchus | 20,900 | 8.85 | ||
| M108 | Surfboard Galaxy | Spiral galaxy | Ursa Major | 45,900,000 | 10.7 | Classified as SBbc, it is a barred spiral galaxy with fairly loose arms. |
| M109 | Spiral galaxy | Ursa Major | 83,500,000 | 10.6 | ||
| M110 | Edward Young Star | Elliptical galaxy | Andromeda | 2,690,000 | 8.92 | Messier 110 is a dwarf elliptical galaxy found near the Andromeda galaxy. |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Messier objects from constellation-guide.com
- ↑ Information in table below is taken from messier.seds.org and messier-objects.com