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”
Category Archives: Messier Objects
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.
Messier 96 (NGC 3368): Bright Galaxy Light in Leo
Messier 96 is one of those galaxies that can break through the haze of suburban light, as long as one has a modest scope and really transparent conditions. Messier 96 (also known as M96 or NGC 3368) is a spiral galaxy approximately 31 million light-years away from Earth.
Messier 100 (NGC 4321): A Grand Design Spiral in Coma Berenices
Messier 100 (M100) is a grand design spiral galaxy located 55 million light-years away in Coma Berenices. Discovered by Pierre Méchain in 1781, it features symmetrical arms with vibrant star-forming regions. M100 is both visually striking and dynamic, making it a favorite for amateur astronomers. This post provides history and personal observations using a Seestar S50. Also known as NGC 4321, UGC 7450, PGC 40153.
Messier 7 (NGC 6475): Ptolemy’s Ancient Cluster Still Shines Bright
Messier 7, or Ptolemy’s Cluster, is a prominent star cluster located in the Scorpius constellation, first recorded by Claudius Ptolemy in 130 AD. This open cluster, visible to the naked eye, contains 80 stars and spans 25 light years. It symbolizes the lasting human fascination with astronomy and the cosmos.
Learn more about the cluster, including a personal observation from Wayne McGraw and photo using a Seestar S50 under suburban skies in Florida.
Messier 25 (IC 4725): A Scattered Jewel in Sagittarius
In the 18th century, Charles Messier cataloged celestial objects while searching for comets, including the beautiful open cluster Messier 25 (M25) in Sagittarius. Approximately 2,000 light-years away, it contains around 600 stars with no nebulosity. M25 is best viewed through binoculars or low-power telescopes during summer nights, offering a delightful starry tapestry. Also known as M25, IC 4725, Melotte 202
Messier 22 (NGC 6656): A Cosmic Heavyweight Just Off the Teapot
Messier 22 (M22) is a bright and nearby globular cluster in Sagittarius, notable for its unique features such as a planetary nebula and two black holes. Discovered by Abraham Ihle in 1665 and later cataloged by Charles Messier in 1764, M22 provides insights into the early Milky Way and is ideal for observation. Also known as NGC 6656.
Messier 17 (NGC 6618): The Enchanting Swan Nebula
In the vast expanse of our Milky Way galaxy, amidst a sea of stars, lies an ethereal celestial beauty known as Messier 17 (M17), or more commonly, the Swan Nebula. Named after its graceful swan-like appearance, this stellar nursery lies in the summer southern constellation of Sagittarius.
The Garden Astronomer 