The Messier Catalogue of Objects To Observe

The Messier Catalogue is a set of astronomical objects to which resembled, but were not, comets and should be avoided by comet hunters.

By Tim Trott | Celestial Objects | March 28, 2013
2,048 words, estimated reading time 8 minutes.
Astronomical Objects

This article is part of a series of articles. Please use the links below to navigate between the articles.

  1. Constellation Guide and Associated Mythology
  2. What are Asteroids, Meteors and Comets?
  3. What Are Binary Stars and Double Stars
  4. What are Variable Stars and How to Observe Them
  5. What are Supernova and Supernovae?
  6. What Nebula and Nebulae, What are the Types of Nebula?
  7. What Are Black Holes? Black Holes Explained - From Birth to Death
  8. What Are Quasars (QUAsi-Stellar Radio Source)?
  9. Pulsars - Natures Lighthouses Key to Astronomy
  10. What is a Neutron Star and What Are They Made Of?
  11. What Are Gamma Ray Bursts and Where Do They Come From?
  12. What is the Kuiper Belt and Kuiper Belt Objects?
  13. What is an Exoplanet? How Can We Detect Exoplanets?
  14. What is a galaxy? What Types of Galaxy Are There? Where Do They Come From?
  15. The Messier Catalogue of Objects To Observe
  16. The Caldwell Catalogue
  17. 25 Stunning Sights Every Astronomer Should See

The Messier Objects are a set of astronomical objects catalogued by Charles Messier in his catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters first published in 1774. The original motivation behind the catalogue was that Messier was a comet hunter, and was frustrated by objects which resembled but were not comets. He, therefore, compiled a list of these objects. In total there are 110 Messier objects to observe.

The first edition covered 45 Messier objects numbered M1 to M45. The total list consists of 110 Messier objects, ranging from M1 to M110. The final catalogue was published in 1781 and printed in the Connaissance des Temps in 1784. Many of these objects are still known by their Messier number.

Charles Messier
Charles Messier 

Because the Messier list was compiled by astronomers in the Northern Hemisphere, it contains only objects from the north celestial pole to a celestial latitude of about -35°. Many impressive Southern objects, such as the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are excluded from the list. Because all of the Messier objects are visible with binoculars or small telescopes (under favourable conditions), they are popular viewing objects for amateur astronomers. In early spring, astronomers sometimes gather for "Messier Marathons", when all of the objects can be viewed over a single night.

The New General Catalogue (NGC) is the most well-known catalogue of deep-sky objects in amateur astronomy. It contains nearly 8,000 objects, known as the NGC objects. The NGC is one of the largest comprehensive catalogues, as it includes all types of deep sky objects (not specialised to just galaxies for instance).

The catalogue was compiled in the 1880s by J. L. E. Dreyer using observations mostly from William Herschel, and then subsequently expanded with two Index Catalogues (IC I & IC II), adding nearly 5,000 objects.

Here is a list of the full 110 Messier Objects and some details about them. It was compiled using information mainly from the SEDS database  and from Wikipedia.

You may also wish to look at Sir Patrick Moore's Caldwell Catalogue.

You can also view my gallery of Deep Space Objects.

The Messier Objects

In this table, the observation month represents the month in which the object reaches its highest point in the sky. It can also be viewed a few months before and after depending on your location. Direction is the compass direction in which the object is located, with Z meaning Zenith or overhead.

# Common Name ConstellationMonthCoords Direction Mag Size (arcmin) Type Star
Chart
M1
NGC 1952
M1 Crab Nebula - Supernova RemnantThe Crab NebulaTaurusFeb05h 34.5m RA
22° 01m Dec
S/SW8.404Supernova Remnant🔍︎
M2
NGC 7089
AquariusOct21h 33.5m RA
-00° 49m Dec
S6.3016Globular Cluster🔍︎
M3
NGC 5272
Canes VenaticiJul13h 42.2m RA
28° 23m Dec
W6.2018Globular Cluster🔍︎
M4
NGC 6121
Crab Globular ClusterScorpiusJul16h 23.6m RA
-26° 32m Dec
S5.9026Globular Cluster🔍︎
M5
NGC 5904
Rose ClusterSerpensJul15h 18.6m RA
02° 05m Dec
SW6.6523Globular Cluster🔍︎
M6
NGC 6405
The Butterfly ClusterScorpiusJul17h 40.1m RA
-32° 13m Dec
S4.2025Open Cluster🔍︎
M7
NGC 6475
The Ptolemy ClusterScorpiusJul17h 53.9m RA
-34° 49m Dec
S3.3080Open Cluster🔍︎
M8
NGC 6523
The Lagoon NebulaSagittariusJul18h 03.8m RA
-24° 23m Dec
S6.0090x40Emission Nebula🔍︎
M9
NGC 6333
OphiuchusAug17h 19.2m RA
-18° 31m Dec
S8.4212Globular Cluster🔍︎
M10
NGC 6254
OphiuchusAug16h 57.1m RA
-04° 06m Dec
S/SW6.4020Globular Cluster🔍︎
M11
NGC 6705
The Wild Duck ClusterScutumAug18h 51.1m RA
-06° 16m Dec
S/SW6.3014Open Cluster🔍︎
M12
NGC 6218
Gumball GlobularOphiuchusJul16h 47.2m RA
-01° 57m Dec
S7.6816Globular Cluster🔍︎
M13
NGC 6205
The Hercules ClusterHerculesAug16h 41.7m RA
36° 28m Dec
W5.8020Globular Cluster🔍︎
M14
NGC 6402
OphiuchusAug17h 37.6m RA
-03° 15m Dec
SW7.6011Globular Cluster🔍︎
M15
NGC 7078
Great Pegasus ClusterPegasusAug21h 30.0m RA
12° 10m Dec
SE6.2018Globular Cluster🔍︎
M16
NGC 6611
Eagle NebulaSerpensAug18h 18.8m RA
-13° 47m Dec
S6.0030Emission nebula with open cluster🔍︎
M17
NGC 6618
Omega NebulaSagittariusJul18h 20.8m RA
-16° 11m Dec
S6.0011Emission nebula🔍︎
M18
NGC 6613
Black Swan ClusterSagittariusJul18h 19.9m RA
-17° 08m Dec
S7.509Open Cluster🔍︎
M19
NGC 6273
OphiuchusJul17h 02.6m RA
-26° 16m Dec
S7.4716Globular Cluster🔍︎
M20
NGC 6514
The Trifid NebulaSagittariusAug18h 02.6m RA
-23° 02m Dec
S/SW6.3028Open Cluster with Nebulosity🔍︎
M21
NGC 6531
Webb's CrossSagittariusAug18h 04.6m RA
-22° 30m Dec
S/SW6.5013Open Cluster🔍︎
M22
NGC 6656
Great Sagittarius ClusterSagittariusAug18h 36.4m RA
-29° 54m Dec
S5.1032Globular Cluster🔍︎
M23
NGC 6494
SagittariusAug17h 56.8m RA
-19° 01m Dec
S6.9027Open Cluster🔍︎
M24
IC 4715
The Sagittarius Star CloudSagittariusAug18h 16.9m RA
-18° 29m Dec
S4.6090Milky Way star cloud🔍︎
M25
IC 4725
SagittariusAug18h 31.6m RA
-19° 15m Dec
S4.6032Open Cluster🔍︎
M26
NGC 6694
ScutumAug18h 45.2m RA
-09° 24m Dec
S8.0014Open Cluster🔍︎
M27
NGC 6853
The Dumbbell NebulaVulpeculaSep19h 59.6m RA
22° 43m Dec
SW7.508x5.6Planetary Nebula🔍︎
M28
NGC 6626
SagittariusAug18h 24.5m RA
-24° 52m Dec
S7.6611Globular Cluster🔍︎
M29
NGC 6913
Cooling Tower ClusterCygnusSep20h 23.9m RA
38° 32m Dec
SE7.107Open Cluster🔍︎
M30
NGC 7099
Jellyfish ClusterCapricornusSep21h 40.4m RA
-23° 11m Dec
S7.7012Globular Cluster🔍︎
M31
NGC 224
The Andromeda GalaxyAndromedaNov00h 42.7m RA
41° 16m Dec
SW3.34190x60Galaxy🔍︎
M32
NGC 221
Le GentilAndromedaNov00h 42.7m RA
40° 52m Dec
W8.088x6Galaxy🔍︎
M33
NGC 598
M33 - The Triangulum GalaxyTriangulum GalaxyTriangulumNov01h 33.9m RA
30° 39m Dec
SW5.7270x41Galaxy🔍︎
M34
NGC 1039
M34 Open Cluster in AurigaSpiral ClusterPerseusNov02h 42.0m RA
42° 47m Dec
S5.5035Open Cluster🔍︎
M35
NGC 2168
Messier 35 or M35, also known as NGC 2168Shoe-Buckle ClusterGeminiDec06h 08.9m RA
24° 20m Dec
SE5.3028Open Cluster🔍︎
M36
NGC 1960
M36 Pinwheel ClusterPinwheel ClusterAurigaDec05h 36.1m RA
34° 08m Dec
SW6.3012Open Cluster🔍︎
M37
NGC 2099
Messier 37 (also known as M37 or NGC 2099)Salt and Pepper ClusterAurigaDec05h 52.4m RA
32° 33m Dec
SW6.2024Open Cluster🔍︎
M38
NGC 1912
M38 - Starfish ClusterStarfish ClusterAurigaDec05h 28.7m RA
35° 50m Dec
SW7.4020Open Cluster🔍︎
M39
NGC 7092
CygnusSep21h 32.2m RA
48° 26m Dec
SW5.5032Open Cluster🔍︎
M40
Winnecke 4 (also known as Messier 40 or WNC 4) is an optical double star.Winnecke 4Ursa MajorFeb12h 22.4m RA
58° 05m Dec
N9.600.86Double Star🔍︎
M41
NGC 2287
Little Beehive ClusterCanis MajorJan06h 47.0m RA
-20° 44m Dec
S4.5038Open Cluster🔍︎
M42
NGC 1976
M42 and M43 - The Great Orion NebulaThe Orion NebulaOrionDec05h 35.4m RA
-05° 27m Dec
S4.0065x60Diffuse Nebula🔍︎
M43
NGC 1982
M42 and M43 - The Great Orion Nebulade Mairan's NebulaOrionDec05h 35.6m RA
-05° 16m Dec
S9.0020x15Diffuse Nebula🔍︎
M44
NGC 2632
M44 - PraesepePraesepeCancerFeb08h 40.1m RA
19° 59m Dec
S3.7095Open Cluster🔍︎
M45
M45 - The Pleiades Star ClusterThe PleiadesTaurusDec03h 47.0m RA
24° 07m Dec
SE1.60110Open Cluster🔍︎
M46
NGC 2437
PuppisJan07h 41.8m RA
-14° 49m Dec
S6.1027Open Cluster🔍︎
M47
NGC 2422
PuppisJan07h 36.6m RA
-14° 30m Dec
S4.2030Open Cluster🔍︎
M48
NGC 2548
M48 Starfish ClusterStarfish ClusterHydraJan08h 13.8m RA
-05° 48m Dec
S7.4020Open Cluster🔍︎
M49
NGC 4472
VirgoMay12h 29.8m RA
08° 00m Dec
S9.4010.2x8.3Elliptical Galaxy🔍︎
M50
NGC 2323
M50 - Heart-Shaped ClusterHeart-Shaped ClusterMonocerosJan07h 03.2m RA
-08° 20m Dec
S5.9016Open Cluster🔍︎
M51
NGC 5194
The Whirlpool GalaxyCanes VenaticiFeb13h 29.9m RA
47° 12m Dec
NE8.4011x7Galaxy🔍︎
M52
NGC 7654
Summer Salt and Pepper ClusterCassiopeiaSep23h 24.2m RA
61° 35m Dec
NE6.9013Open Cluster🔍︎
M53
NGC 5024
Coma BerenicesApr13h 12.9m RA
18° 10m Dec
SE8.3013Globular Cluster🔍︎
M54
NGC 6715
SagittariusAug18h 55.1m RA
-30° 29m Dec
S8.3712Globular Cluster🔍︎
M55
NGC 6809
Summer Rose StarSagittariusAug19h 40.0m RA
-30° 58m Dec
S7.4219Globular Cluster🔍︎
M56
NGC 6779
LyraAug19h 16.6m RA
30° 11m Dec
SW8.308Globular Cluster🔍︎
M57
NGC 6720
The Ring NebulaLyraAug18h 53.6m RA
33° 02m Dec
SW8.803.83Planetary Nebula🔍︎
M58
NGC 4579
VirgoApr12h 37.7m RA
11° 49m Dec
S10.505.9x4.7Galaxy🔍︎
M59
NGC 4621
VirgoApr12h 42.0m RA
11° 39m Dec
S10.605.4x3.7Galaxy🔍︎
M60
NGC 4649
VirgoApr12h 43.7m RA
11° 33m Dec
S9.807.4x6Galaxy🔍︎
M61
NGC 4303
Swelling Spiral GalaxyVirgoApr12h 21.9m RA
04° 28m Dec
S10.186.5x5.8Galaxy🔍︎
M62
NGC 6266
Flickering Globular ClusterOphiuchusJun17h 01.2m RA
-30° 07m Dec
S7.3915Globular Cluster🔍︎
M63
NGC 5055
The Sunflower GalaxyCanes VenaticiApr13h 15.8m RA
42° 02m Dec
Z9.3012.6x7.2Galaxy🔍︎
M64
NGC 4826
The Blackeye GalaxyComa BerenicesApr12h 56.7m RA
21° 41m Dec
Z9.3610.7x5.1Galaxy🔍︎
M65
NGC 3623
Leo TripletLeoApr11h 18.9m RA
13° 05m Dec
S10.258.7x2.4Galaxy🔍︎
M66
NGC 3627
Leo TripletLeoApr11h 20.2m RA
12° 59m Dec
S8.909.1x4.2Galaxy🔍︎
M67
NGC 2682
M67 Golden-Eye Cluster (Pac-Man Cluster)Golden-Eye Cluster (Pac-Man Cluster)CancerFeb08h 50.4m RA
11° 49m Dec
S6.1030Open Cluster🔍︎
M68
NGC 4590
HydraApr12h 39.5m RA
-26° 45m Dec
S9.6711Globular Cluster🔍︎
M69
NGC 6637
SagittariusJul18h 34.4m RA
-32° 21m Dec
S8.319.8Globular Cluster🔍︎
M70
NGC 6681
SagittariusJul18h 43.2m RA
-32° 18m Dec
S9.068Globular Cluster🔍︎
M71
NGC 6838
Angelfish Cluster (Arrowhead Cluster)SagittaAug19h 53.8m RA
18° 47m Dec
Z6.107.2Globular Cluster🔍︎
M72
NGC 6981
AquariusAug20h 53.5m RA
-12° 32m Dec
S9.356.6Globular Cluster🔍︎
M73
NGC 6994
AquariusAug20h 58.9m RA
-12° 38m Dec
S9.002.8Asterism🔍︎
M74
NGC 628
Phantom Galaxy (Perfect Spiral Galaxy)PiscesOct01h 36.7m RA
15° 47m Dec
SE10.0010.5x9.5Galaxy🔍︎
M75
NGC 6864
SagittariusJul20h 06.1m RA
-21° 55m Dec
S9.186.8Globular Cluster🔍︎
M76
NGC 650
Messier 76 - The Little Dumbbell NebulaThe Little DumbbellPerseusOct01h 42.4m RA
51° 34m Dec
Z10.102.7x1.8Planetary Nebula🔍︎
M77
NGC 1068
Cetus ACetusNov02h 42.7m RA
-00° 01m Dec
S9.607.1x6Galaxy🔍︎
M78
NGC 2068
Casper the Friendly Ghost NebulaOrionDec05h 46.7m RA
00° 03m Dec
S8.308x6Diffuse Nebula🔍︎
M79
NGC 1904
LepusDec05h 24.5m RA
-24° 33m Dec
S8.568.7Globular Cluster🔍︎
M80
NGC 6093
ScorpiusJun16h 17.0m RA
-22° 59m Dec
S7.8710Globular Cluster🔍︎
M81
NGC 3031
Messier 81 (also known as NGC 3031 or Bode's Galaxy)Bodems GalaxyUrsa MajorMay09h 55.6m RA
69° 04m Dec
Z6.9426.9x14.1Galaxy🔍︎
M82
NGC 3034
Cigar GalaxyUrsa MajorMay09h 55.8m RA
69° 41m Dec
Z8.4111.4x4.3Galaxy🔍︎
M83
NGC 5236
Southern Pinwheel GalaxyHydraMay13h 37.0m RA
-29° 52m Dec
S7.5412.9x11.5Galaxy🔍︎
M84
NGC 4374
Markarian's ChainVirgoApr12h 25.1m RA
12° 53m Dec
S10.106.5x5.6Galaxy🔍︎
M85
NGC 4382
Coma BerenicesApr12h 25.4m RA
18° 11m Dec
S10.007.1x5.5Galaxy🔍︎
M86
NGC 4406
Markarian's ChainVirgoApr12h 26.2m RA
12° 57m Dec
S9.808.9x5.8Galaxy🔍︎
M87
NGC 4486
Virgo AVirgoApr12h 30.8m RA
12° 24m Dec
S9.597.2x6.8Galaxy🔍︎
M88
NGC 4501
Coma BerenicesApr12h 32.0m RA
14° 25m Dec
S10.406.9x3.7Galaxy🔍︎
M89
NGC 4552
VirgoApr12h 35.7m RA
12° 33m Dec
S10.735.1x4.7Galaxy🔍︎
M90
NGC 4569
VirgoApr12h 36.8m RA
13° 10m Dec
S10.269.5x4.4Galaxy🔍︎
M91
NGC 4548
Coma BerenicesApr12h 35.4m RA
14° 30m Dec
S11.005.4x4.3Galaxy🔍︎
M92
NGC 6341
HerculesAug17h 17.1m RA
43° 08m Dec
Z6.3014Globular Cluster🔍︎
M93
C71
NGC 2447
Butterfly ClusterPuppisJan07h 44.6m RA
-23° 52m Dec
S5.8022Open Cluster🔍︎
M94
NGC 4736
Cat's Eye GalaxyCanes VenaticiMay12h 50.9m RA
41° 07m Dec
SW8.9911.2x9.1Galaxy🔍︎
M95
NGC 3351
LeoApr10h 44.0m RA
11° 42m Dec
SW11.403.1x2.9Galaxy🔍︎
M96
NGC 3368
LeoApr10h 46.8m RA
11° 49m Dec
SW10.107.6x5.2Galaxy🔍︎
M97
NGC 3587
The Owl NebulaUrsa MajorMar11h 14.8m RA
55° 01m Dec
Z9.903.3x3.4Planetary Nebula🔍︎
M98
NGC 4192
Coma BerenicesFeb12h 13.8m RA
14° 54m Dec
SE11.009.8*2.8Galaxy🔍︎
M99
NGC 4254
Coma Pinwheel GalaxyComa BerenicesFeb12h 18.8m RA
14° 25m Dec
SE10.405.4x4.7Galaxy🔍︎
M100
NGC 4321
Blowdryer Galaxy (Mirror Galaxy)Coma BerenicesFeb12h 22.9m RA
15° 49m Dec
SE10.107.4x6.3Galaxy🔍︎
M101
NGC 5457
Pinwheel GalaxyUrsa MajorMay14h 03.3m RA
54° 21m Dec
Z7.8628.8x26.9Galaxy🔍︎
M102
NGC 5866
Spindle GalaxyDracoApr15h 06.5m RA
55° 45m Dec
NE10.704.7x1.9Galaxy🔍︎
M103
NGC 581
CassiopeiaOct01h 33.2m RA
60° 42m Dec
Z7.406Open Cluster🔍︎
M104
NGC 4594
Sombrero GalaxyVirgoMay12h 40.0m RA
-11° 37m Dec
S/SW8.988.7x3.5Galaxy🔍︎
M105
NGC 3379
LeoApr10h 47.8m RA
12° 35m Dec
SW10.205.4x4.8Galaxy🔍︎
M106
NGC 4258
Canes VenaticiMay12h 19.0m RA
47° 18m Dec
SW9.1018.6x7.2Galaxy🔍︎
M107
NGC 6171
The Crucifix ClusterOphiuchusJun16h 32.5m RA
-13° 03m Dec
S8.8513Globular Cluster🔍︎
M108
NGC 3556
The Surfboard GalaxyUrsa MajorMay11h 11.5m RA
55° 40m Dec
Z10.708.7x2.2Galaxy🔍︎
M109
NGC 3992
M109 - Vacuum Cleaner GalaxyVacuum Cleaner GalaxyUrsa MajorMay11h 57.6m RA
53° 23m Dec
Z10.607.6x4.7Galaxy🔍︎
M110
NGC 205
AndromedaNov00h 40.4m RA
41° 41m Dec
W8.9221.9*11.0Galaxy🔍︎
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