Messier List
The Messier List
The Messier objects are a set of 110 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). When it first appeared it included 102 objects. This list has been since augmented to become a list of 110 Objects.
My Messier Marathon
The List can be all observed (or close to all) on one night around the middle of March. I have attempted this a number of times. In 1994 on a clear night I was able to locate all but one of these. I have drawings and or photos of all of them. Still I like to go back and check them out from time to time, and I plan to post images of my efforts for all of them on this BLOG.
The official list is provided below in a table. The table provides the Name, and NGC number (New General Catalog) The Constellation where it can be found, A Link to a portfolio file that provides images and descriptions of the object and information about the times that I have personally viewed, sketched and imaged, Plus how to find it in the sky.
The Images/Sketches I take reflect more closely what one can expect to see themselves when they look using a smaller telescope or a pair of binoculars and not the ones done with larger scopes.
Recently Added/Updated Items:
Want to see all the portfolio for this list?
See Messier List Portfolio
About Portfolios
Portfolios are files on each of the Items in the list. They contain generally:
- pictures/images that I have collected myself using telescopes and cameras, or that I have hand drawn. They are from my log book and they date back to 1986.
- Some information that I have gleaned from sources on the Internet and other reference material that I have.
- My Observing notes from my log book
- Categories/taxonomies that allow you to sort and find types of categories. The category can be used to find a list of related portfolios.
Messier List
| Number | Mname | NGC | Con | Link | Roger Obs Num | Roger Session ID | R.A. | Decl. | Mag | Type | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | M1 | NGC1952 | TAU | Crab Nebula supernova remnant | 1014 | 248 | 5h 34m | 22° 1' | 8.4 | PN | 2014-09-20/21 | ABASPStarland | Crab nebula. Remnant of a supernova in the year 1054. |
| 2 | M2 | NGC7089 | AQR | M2 | 248 | 117 | 21h 33m | 0° -49' | 6.5 | GC | 1991-09-14 | ABWCO | |
| 3 | M3 | NGC5272 | CVN | M3 | 1077 | 272 | 13h 42m | 28° 23' | 6.4 | GC | 2015-05-09 | ABCalgary320-40thStSW | 1000 stars approx. 40,000 ly distant. 500 variable stars. |
| 4 | M4 | NGC6121 | SCO | M4 | 839 | 213 | 16h 23m | -26° 32' | 5.9 | GC | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 5 | M5 | NGC5904 | SER | M5 | 838 | 213 | 15h 18m | 2° 5' | 5.8 | GC | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 6 | M6 | NGC6405 | SCO | M6 | 205 | 109 | 17h 40m | -32° 13' | 4.2 | OC | 1991-06-08 | ABWCO | Butterfly cluster |
| 7 | M7 | NGC6475 | SCO | M7 | 200 | 109 | 17h 54m | -34° 49' | 3.3 | OC | 1991-06-08 | ABWCO | |
| 8 | M8 | NGC6523 | SGR | M8 | 893 | 219 | 18h 3m | -24° 23' | 5.8 | DN | 2013-07-09 | ABWCO | Lagoon nebula |
| 9 | M9 | NGC6333 | OPH | M9 | 201 | 109 | 17h 19m | -18° 31' | 7.9 | GC | 1991-06-08 | ABWCO | |
| 10 | M10 | NGC6254 | OPH | M10 | 228 | 113 | 16h 57m | -4° 6' | 6.6 | GC | 1991-08-18 | ABWatertonASP91 | |
| 11 | M11 | NGC6705 | SCT | M11 Wild Duck Cluster | 937 | 229 | 18h 51m | -6° 16' | 5.8 | OC | 2013-09-08 | ABASPStarland | Wild duck cluster |
| 12 | M12 | NGC6218 | OPH | M12 Globular Cluster | 212 | 111 | 16h 47m | -1° 57' | 6.6 | GC | 1991-08-03 | ABWCO | |
| 13 | M13 | NGC6205 | HER | M13 | 1004 | 248 | 16h 42m | 36° 28' | 5.9 | GC | 2014-09-20/21 | ABASPStarland | Hercules cluster. 100,000 stars |
| 14 | M14 | NGC6402 | OPH | M14 Globular Cluster | 229 | 113 | 17h 38m | -3° 15' | 7.6 | GC | 1991-08-18 | ABWatertonASP91 | |
| 15 | M15 | NGC7078 | PEG | M15 | 1201 | 323 | 21h 30m | 12° 10' | 6.4 | GC | 2016-11-22 | ABWCO | |
| 16 | M16 | NGC6611 | SER | M16 Eagle Nebula | 987 | 244 | 18h 19m | -13° 47' | 6.0 | DN | 2014-09-13 | ABFifthMeridian | Eagle nebula |
| 17 | M17 | NGC6618 | SGR | M17 Omega Nebula | 986 | 244 | 18h 21m | -16° 11' | 7.0 | DN | 2014-09-13 | ABFifthMeridian | Omega nebula |
| 18 | M18 | NGC6613 | SGR | M18 Open Cluster | 215 | 111 | 18h 20m | -17° 8' | 6.9 | OC | 1991-08-03 | ABWCO | |
| 19 | M19 | NGC6273 | OPH | M19 Globular Cluster | 203 | 109 | 17h 3m | -26° 16' | 7.2 | GC | 1991-06-08 | ABWCO | |
| 20 | M20 | NGC6514 | SGR | M20 Trifid Nebula | 981 | 242 | 18h 2m | -23° 2' | 8.5 | DN | 2014-08-26/27 | ABWCO | Trifid nebula |
| 21 | M21 | NGC6531 | SGR | M21 Open Cluster | 222 | 112 | 18h 5m | -22° 30' | 5.9 | OC | 1991-08-05 | ABWCO | |
| 22 | M22 | NGC6656 | SGR | M22 Globular Cluster | 1122 | 285 | 18h 36m | -23° 54' | 5.1 | GC | 2015-08-22/23 | ABWCO | Excellent. |
| 23 | M23 | NGC6494 | SGR | M23 Open Cluster | 220 | 112 | 17h 57m | -19° 1' | 5.5 | OC | 1991-08-05 | ABWCO | |
| 24 | M24 | NGC6603 | SGR | M24 Open Cluster | 726 | 198 | 18h 16m | -18° 29' | 4.5 | OC | 2012-08-13 | BCMKSP | |
| 25 | M25 | IC 4725 | SGR | M25 Open Cluster | 226 | 112 | 18h 32m | -19° 15' | 4.6 | OC | 1991-08-05 | ABWCO | |
| 26 | M26 | NGC6694 | SGR | M26 Open Cluster | 240 | 116 | 18h 45m | -9° 24' | 8.0 | OC | 1991-09-06 | ABWCO | |
| 27 | M27 | NGC6853 | VUL | M27 Dumbell Neb | 1022 | 249 | 20h 0m | 22° 43' | 8.1 | PN | 2014-09-21/22 | ABASPStarland | Dumbbell nebula |
| 28 | M28 | NGC6626 | SGR | M28 Globular Cluster | 224 | 112 | 18h 25m | -24° 52' | 6.9 | GC | 1991-08-05 | ABWCO | |
| 29 | M29 | NGC6913 | CYG | M29 Open Cluster | 1273 | 344 | 20h 23m | 38° 32' | 6.6 | OC | 2017-12-13 | ABCalgary4407-46thAveSW | |
| 30 | M30 | NGC7099 | CAP | M30 Globular Cluster | 701 | 190 | 21h 40m | -23° 11' | 7.5 | GC | 2008-11-04 | ABWCO | |
| 31 | M31 | NGC224 | AND | Andromeda Galaxies | 1182 | 317 | 0h 43m | 41° 16' | 3.4 | SG | 2016-08-28 | ABASPStarland | Andromeda galaxy |
| 32 | M32 | NGC221 | AND | Andromeda Galaxies | 1182 | 317 | 0h 43m | 40° 52' | 8.2 | EG | 2016-08-28 | ABASPStarland | Satellite to Andromeda Galaxy |
| 33 | M33 | NGC598 | TRI | M33 Triangulum Galaxy | 1196 | 321 | 1h 34m | 30° 39' | 5.7 | SG | 2016-10-22 | ABWCO | Pinwheel galaxy |
| 34 | M34 | NGC1039 | PER | M34 Open Cluster | 255 | 118 | 2h 42m | 42° 47' | 5.2 | OC | 1991-10-05 | ABWCO | |
| 35 | M35 | NGC2168 | GEM | M35 | 1013 | 248 | 6h 9m | 24° 20' | 5.1 | OC | 2014-09-20/21 | ABASPStarland | |
| 36 | M36 | NGC1960 | AUR | M36 Open Cluster | 1015 | 248 | 5h 36m | 34° 8' | 6.0 | OC | 2014-09-20/21 | ABASPStarland | |
| 37 | M37 | NGC2099 | AUR | M37 Open Cluster | 280 | 121 | 5h 52m | 32° 33' | 5.6 | OC | 1991-10-12 | ABWCO | |
| 38 | M38 | NGC1912 | AUR | M38 Open Cluster | 170 | 103 | 5h 29m | 35° 50' | 6.4 | OC | 1991-04-13 | ABNantonWillowCreekProvPk | |
| 39 | M39 | NGC7092 | CYG | M39 Open Cluster | 250 | 117 | 21h 32m | 48° 26' | 4.6 | OC | 1991-09-14 | ABWCO | |
| 40 | M40 | NGC | UMA | M40/ WNC4 | 176 | 105 | 12h 22m | 58° 5' | 8.0 | dbl | 1991-05-04 | ABWCO | Two separated faint stars - each same brightness |
| 41 | M41 | NGC2287 | CMA | M41 Open Cluster | 268 | 120 | 6h 47m | -20° 44' | 4.5 | OC | 1991-10-11 | ABWCO | South from Sirius |
| 42 | M42 | NGC1976 | ORI | M42/M43 Orion Nebula | 1224 | 330 | 5h 35m | -5° 27' | 4.0 | DN | 2017-02-17 | ABWCO | Great Orion nebula |
| 43 | M43 | NGC1982 | ORI | M42/M43 Orion Nebula | 1224 | 330 | 5h 35m | -5° 16' | 9.0 | DN | 2017-02-17 | ABWCO | |
| 44 | M44 | NGC2632 | CNC | M44 Beehive Cluster | 1060 | 262 | 8h 40m | 19° 59' | 3.1 | OC | 2015-01-26 | ABWCO | Beehive cluster. 358 stars approx. 500 ly distant |
| 45 | M45 | NGC | TAU | M45 Pleiades | 1265 | 343 | 3h 47m | 24° 7' | 1.2 | OC | 2017-12-12 | ABCalgary4407-46thAveSW | Pleiades |
| 46 | M46 | NGC2437 | PUP | M46 Open Cluster Puppis | 750 | 202 | 7h 42m | -14° 49' | 6.1 | OC | 2013-02-04 | ABWCO | |
| 47 | M47 | NGC2422 | PUP | M47 Open Cluster | 749 | 202 | 7h 37m | -14° 30' | 4.4 | OC | 2013-02-04 | ABWCO | |
| 48 | M48 | NGC2548 | HYA | M48 Open Cluster | 810 | 213 | 8h 14m | -5° 48' | 5.8 | OC | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 49 | M49 | NGC4472 | VIR | M49 Virgo Galaxy | 821 | 213 | 12h 30m | 8° 0' | 8.4 | EG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 50 | M50 | NGC2323 | MON | M50 Open Cluster | 274 | 120 | 7h 3m | -8° 20' | 5.9 | OC | 1991-10-11 | ABWCO | |
| 51 | M51 | NGC5194 | CVN | M51 Whirlpool Galaxy | 995 | 245 | 13h 30m | 47° 12' | 8.1 | SG | 2014-09-14 | ABFifthMeridian | Whirlpool galaxy |
| 52 | M52 | NGC7654 | CAS | M52 Open Cluster | 251 | 118 | 23h 24m | 61° 35' | 6.9 | OC | 1991-10-05 | ABWCO | |
| 53 | M53 | NGC5024 | COM | M53 Globular Cluster | 1101 | 276 | 13h 13m | 18° 10' | 7.7 | GC | 2015-05-20 | ABWCO | |
| 54 | M54 | NGC6715 | SGR | M54 Globular Cluster | 1121 | 285 | 18h 55m | -30° 29' | 7.7 | GC | 2015-08-22/23 | ABWCO | |
| 55 | M55 | NGC6809 | SGR | M55 Globular Cluster | 211 | 111 | 19h 40m | -30° 58' | 7.0 | GC | 1991-08-03 | ABWCO | |
| 56 | M56 | NGC6779 | LYR | M56 GC | 992 | 245 | 19h 17m | 30° 11' | 8.2 | GC | 2014-09-14 | ABFifthMeridian | |
| 57 | M57 | NGC6720 | LYR | M57 Ring Nebula | 1068 | 269 | 18h 54m | 33° 2' | 9.0 | PN | 2015-04-19 | ABCalgary320-40thStSW | Ring nebula. Looks like smoke ring. |
| 58 | M58 | NGC4579 | VIR | M58 M89 M90 | 822 | 213 | 12h 38m | 11° 49' | 9.8 | SG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 59 | M59 | NGC4621 | VIR | M59 & M60 | 1086 | 274 | 12h 42m | 11° 39' | 9.8 | EG | 2015-05-11 | ABWCO | |
| 60 | M60 | NGC4649 | VIR | M59 & M60 | 1086 | 274 | 12h 44m | 11° 33' | 8.8 | EG | 2015-05-11 | ABWCO | |
| 61 | M61 | NGC4303 | VIR | M61 | 168 | 102 | 12h 22m | 4° 28' | 9.7 | SG | 1991-04-11 | ABWCO | |
| 62 | M62 | NGC6266 | OPH | M62 | 204 | 109 | 17h 1m | -30° 7' | 6.6 | GC | 1991-06-08 | ABWCO | |
| 63 | M63 | NGC5055 | CVN | m63 sunflower galaxy | 1102 | 276 | 13h 16m | 42° 2' | 8.6 | SG | 2015-05-20 | ABWCO | Sunflower galaxy |
| 64 | M64 | NGC4826 | COM | M64 Black Eye Galaxy | 1094 | 275 | 12h 57m | 21° 41' | 8.5 | SG | 2015-05-18 | ABWCO | Black eye galaxy |
| 65 | M65 | NGC3623 | LEO | Part of Leo's Triplet | 1229 | 331 | 11h 19m | 13° 5' | 9.3 | SG | 2017-04-21 | ABWCO | Leo's triplet |
| 66 | M66 | NGC3627 | LEO | Part of Leo's Triplet | 1229 | 331 | 11h 20m | 12° 59' | 9.0 | SG | 2015-04-19 | ABWCO | Leo's triplet |
| 67 | M67 | NGC2682 | CNC | M67 Open Cluster | 1236 | 335 | 8h 50m | 11° 49' | 6.9 | OC | 2017-05-26 | ABWCO | |
| 68 | M68 | NGC4590 | HYA | M68 Globular Cluster | 173 | 104 | 12h 40m | -26° 45' | 8.2 | GC | 1991-04-20 | ABWCO | |
| 69 | M69 | NGC6637 | SGR | M69 Globular Cluster | 214 | 111 | 18h 31m | -32° 21' | 7.7 | GC | 1991-08-03 | ABWCO | |
| 70 | M70 | NGC6681 | SGR | M70 Globular Cluster | 209 | 111 | 18h 43m | -32° 18' | 8.1 | GC | 1991-08-03 | ABWCO | |
| 71 | M71 | NGC6838 | SGE | M71 | 926 | 228 | 19h 54m | 18° 47' | 8.3 | GC | 2013-09-02 | ABWCO | |
| 72 | M72 | NGC6981 | AQR | M72 | 698 | 190 | 20h 54m | -12° 32' | 9.4 | GC | 2008-11-04 | ABWCO | |
| 73 | M73 | NGC6994 | AQR | M73 | 699 | 190 | 20h 58m | -12° 38' | ast | 2008-11-04 | ABWCO | Very difficult, small grouping of stars | |
| 74 | M74 | NGC628 | PSC | M74 | 1203 | 324 | 1h 37m | 15° 47' | 9.2 | S | 2016-11-26 | ABWCO | |
| 75 | M75 | NGC6864 | SGR | M75 Globular Cluster | 232 | 113 | 20h 6m | -21° 55' | 8.6 | GC | 1991-08-18 | ABWatertonASP91 | |
| 76 | M76 | NGC650 | PER | M76 | 253 | 118 | 1h 42m | 51° 34' | 11.5 | PN | 1991-10-05 | ABWCO | Cork nebula |
| 77 | M77 | NGC1068 | CET | M77 | 1206 | 324 | 2h 43m | 0° 1' | 8.8 | SG | 2016-11-26 | ABWCO | |
| 78 | M78 | NGC2068 | ORI | M78 | 1018 | 248 | 5h 47m | 0° 3' | 8.0 | DN | 2014-09-20/21 | ABASPStarland | |
| 79 | M79 | NGC1904 | LEP | M79 | 743 | 201 | 5h 24m | -24° 33' | 8.0 | GC | 2013-01-04 | ABWCO | |
| 80 | M80 | NGC6093 | SCO | M80 | 840 | 213 | 16h 17m | -22° 59' | 7.2 | GC | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 81 | M81 | NGC3031 | UMA | M81/M82 | 1047 | 258 | 9h 56m | 69° 4' | 6.8 | SG | 2015-01-20 | ABWCO | Bodes nebula |
| 82 | M82 | NGC3034 | UMA | M81/M82 | 1047 | 258 | 9h 56m | 69° 41' | 8.4 | IG | 2015-01-20 | ABWCO | |
| 83 | M83 | NGC5236 | HYA | M83 | 1100 | 276 | 13h 38m | -29° 52' | 7.6 | SG | 2015-05-20 | ABWCO | |
| 84 | M84 | NGC4374 | VIR | Markarian Chain that includes M84 | 826 | 213 | 12h 25m | 12° 53' | 9.3 | EG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 85 | M85 | NGC4382 | COM | M85 | 834 | 213 | 12h 25m | 18° 11' | 9.2 | EG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 86 | M86 | NGC4406 | VIR | Markarian Chain that includes M86 | 1165 | 312 | 12h 26m | 12° 57' | 9.2 | EG | 2016-05-07 | ABWCO | |
| 87 | M87 | NGC4486 | VIR | M87 | 825 | 213 | 12h 31m | 12° 24' | 8.6 | EG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | Virgo A |
| 88 | M88 | NGC4501 | COM | M88 | 830 | 213 | 12h 32m | 14° 25' | 9.5 | SG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 89 | M89 | NGC4552 | VIR | M58 M89 M90 | 824 | 213 | 12h 36m | 12° 33' | 9.8 | EG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 90 | M90 | NGC4569 | VIR | M58 M89 M90 | 1073 | 270 | 12h 37m | 13° 10' | 9.5 | SG | 2015-04-19 | ABWCO | |
| 91 | M91 | NGC4548 | COM | M91 | 829 | 213 | 12h 35m | 14° 30' | 10.2 | SG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 92 | M92 | NGC6341 | HER | M92 | 695 | 190 | 17h 17m | 43° 8' | 6.5 | GC | 2008-11-04 | ABWCO | |
| 93 | M93 | NGC2447 | PUP | M93 | 707 | 191 | 7h 45m | -23° 52' | 6.2 | OC | 2009-01-19 | ABWCO | |
| 94 | M94 | NGC4736 | CVN | M94 | 206 | 109 | 12h 51m | 41° 7' | 8.1 | SG | 1991-06-08 | ABWCO | |
| 95 | M95 | NGC3351 | LEO | Leo M96 Group | 1072 | 270 | 10h 44m | 11° 42' | 9.7 | SG | 2015-04-19 | ABWCO | |
| 96 | M96 | NGC3368 | LEO | Leo M96 Group | 1072 | 270 | 10h 47m | 11° 49' | 9.2 | SG | 2015-04-19 | ABWCO | |
| 97 | M97 | NGC3587 | UMA | M97 and M108 | 982 | 242 | 11h 15m | 55° 1' | 11.2 | PN | 2014-08-26/27 | ABWCO | Owl nebula |
| 98 | M98 | NGC4192 | COM | M98 | 832 | 213 | 12h 14m | 14° 54' | 10.1 | SG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 99 | M99 | NGC4254 | COM | M99 | 831 | 213 | 12h 19m | 14° 25' | 9.8 | SG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | Pin Wheel Galaxy |
| 100 | M100 | NGC4321 | COM | M100 | 833 | 213 | 12h 23m | 15° 49' | 9.4 | SG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 101 | M101 | NGC5457 | UMA | M101 | 1180 | 316 | 14h 3m | 54° 21' | 7.7 | SG | 2016-08-05 | BCMKSP | |
| 102 | M102 | NGC5866 | UMA | M102 | 236 | 115 | 15h 6.5m | 55° 46' | 7.7 | GS0-a | 1991-09-01 | ABWCO | considered to be 102 in Modern lists |
| 103 | M103 | NGC581 | CAS | M103 | 252 | 118 | 1h 33m | 60° 42' | 7.4 | OC | 1991-10-05 | ABWCO | |
| 104 | M104 | NGC4594 | VIR | Sombrero Galaxy M104 | 231 | 331 | 12h 40m | -11° 37' | 8.3 | SG | 2017-04-21 | ABWCO | Sombrero galaxy |
| 105 | M105 | NGC3379 | LEO | Leo M96 Group | 813 | 213 | 10h 48m | 12° 35' | 9.3 | EG | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 106 | M106 | NGC4258 | CVN | M106 | 768 | 205 | 12h 19m | 47° 18' | 8.3 | SG | 2013-03-09 | ABWCO | |
| 107 | M107 | NGC6171 | OPH | M107 | 841 | 213 | 16h 33m | -13° 3' | 8.1 | GC | 2013-05-03 | ABWCO | |
| 108 | M108 | NGC3556 | UMA | M97 and M108 | 982 | 242 | 11h 12m | 55° 40' | 10.0 | SG | 2014-08-26/27 | ABWCO | |
| 109 | M109 | NGC3992 | UMA | M109 | 1103 | 276 | 11h 58m | 53° 23' | 9.8 | SG | 2015-05-20 | ABWCO | |
| 110 | M110 | NGC205 | AND | Andromeda Galaxies | 1182 | 317 | 0h 40m | 41° 41' | 8.0 | EG | 2016-08-28 | ABASPStarland | Satellite to Andromeda Galaxy |