Messier Objects – The Garden Astronomer

Messier 75 (NGC 6864): A Dense Globular Cluster in Sagittarius

Explore Messier 75 globular cluster viewed through an 8-inch telescope, showing its dense core and surrounding stars in Sagittarius.

Messier 2 (NGC 7089): One of the Largest Globular Clusters in the Sky

Explore Messier 2 (M2), a stunning globular cluster in Aquarius. See its 150,000 stars through a sketch, photo, and observing tips for fall skies.

Messier 30 (NGC 7099): The Jellyfish Globular Cluster

Explore Messier 30, a stunning globular cluster in Capricornus, with insights into its history, structure, and observing tips. Includes a personal sketch and photo from my own telescope observations.

Messier 52 (NGC 7654): A Small Scorpion in Cassiopeia

M52 is a condensed cluster of mostly faint stars sitting in the Milky Way sea of stars. This makes the object tougher to find.

Messier 80 (NGC 6093): A Stellar Beehive in Scorpius

Discover the beauty of Messier 80, a dense globular cluster near the Milky Way’s center, perfect for stargazers and amateur astronomers. Learn and see how M80 is viewed through a visual and electronic telescope such as Seestar S50.

Messier 20 (NGC 6514): The Trifid Nebula in Sagittarius

The Trifid Nebula, located in Sagittarius, is best viewed during summer months from June to August. Discovered by Charles Messier in 1764, it serves as a stellar nursery, approximately 5,200 light-years away. Modern telescopes have uncovered hidden stars and complex structures, making it a remarkable subject for backyard astronomers.

Messier 87 (NGC 4486): Home of a Famous Black Hole

Most of the public had never heard of the Messier 87 galaxy until a few years ago. This changed on the morning of April 10, 2019, as scientists released the first image of the supermassive black hole at the heart of M87. When the image appeared in my news feed that morning, I recall rushingContinueContinue reading “Messier 87 (NGC 4486): Home of a Famous Black Hole”

Messier 21 (NGC 6531): A Compact Open Cluster in Sagittarius

Messier 21, discovered by Charles Messier in 1764, is a compact open star cluster in Sagittarius. At approximately 3,900 light-years away, it contains 57 stars and offers a unique beauty, especially when viewed with binoculars or a telescope. It resides near the Trifid Nebula, making it a notable observation destination.