Messier 84 (M84), also designated as NGC 4374, lies in the springtime sky amongst the plethora of viewable galaxies in Virgo. Using a small scope, one can also find it among the array of galaxies in the Virgo Cluster and the stretch of galaxies in Markarian’s Chain. It looks a faint smudge in small to mid-sized scopes from the backyard.
Category Archives: Messier Objects
Messier 53 (NGC 5024): An Old, Bold Globular Cluster on the Outskirts of the Milky Way
Messier 53 is a globular cluster on the outskirts of our galaxy at nearly 60,000 light years above us. M53 is also unique as it has a more blue straggler stars than other globulars.
Messier 46 (NGC 2437): Rich Cluster in Puppis Featuring a Bonus Nebula
Messier 46 is a rich cluster of more than 500 stars. It makes its home in the southern constellation of Puppis.
Messier 47 (NGC 2422): A Bright, Young Cluster in Southern Skies
Messier 47 graces the southern skies in the constellation Puppis. While only 50 or so stars make up this cluster, they are bright, blue, and ready to be enjoyed with binoculars or telescopes.
Messier 41 (NGC 2287): The Little Beehive in Canis Major
Messier 41 lies south of the bright star Sirius and covers an area nearly the size of the moon. I credit this wintertime cluster for inspiring my life-long love of astronomy. Learn why.
Messier 34 (NGC 1039): A Robust Cluster with Attractive Pairs of Stars
Messier 34 is a treasure chest of 80-100 viewable stars in the winter constellation Perseus.
Messier 78 (NGC 2068): A Friendly Ghost in Orion
Messier 78 joins a host of rich astronomical targets in the constellation Orion. M78 is a reflection nebula.
Messier 73 (NGC 6994): A Pattern of Four Stars Once Mired in Debate
This small pattern of four stars created substantial debate for years, but now we know it’s a simple asterism that looks like a spaceship from Asteroids!
The Garden Astronomer 