Messier Observations

Click on any object name below to learn more.

OBJECTTYPEVIEWOBSERVED1
Messier 1: Crab NebulaSupernovaJan09/12/1758
Messier 2Globular ClusterOct09/11/1760
Messier 3Globular ClusterJun05/03/1764
Messier 4: Spider GlobularGlobular ClusterJul05/08/1764
Messier 5: Rose ClusterGlobular ClusterJun05/23/1764
Messier 7: Ptolemy’s ClusterOpen Star ClusterAug05/23/1764
Messier 9Globular ClusterJul05/28/1764
Messier 10Globular ClusterJun05/29/1764
Messier 11: Wild Duck ClusterOpen Star ClusterAug05/30/1764
Messier 12: Gumball ClusterGlobular ClusterJul05/30/1764
Messier 13: Hercules ClusterGlobular ClusterAug06/01/1764
Messier 14Globular ClusterJul06/01/1764
Messier 15: Great Pegasus ClusterGlobular ClusterOct06/03/1764
Messier 16: Eagle NebulaEmission NebulaJul06/03/1764
Messier 17: Swan NebulaEmission NebulaJul06/03/1764
Messier 20: Trifid NebulaEm, Ref, Dark NebulaAug06/05/1764
Messier 21Open Star ClusterAug06/05/1764
Messier 22Globular ClusterJun06/05/1764
Messier 23Open Star ClusterJul06/20/1764
Messier 24Star CloudJul06/20/1764
Messier 25Open Star ClusterAug06/20/1764
Messier 26Open Star ClusterAug06/20/1764
Messier 27: Dumbbell NebulaPlanetary NebulaAug07/12/1764
Messier 29: Cooling TowerOpen Star ClusterSep07/29/1764
Messier 30: Jellyfish ClusterGlobular ClusterOct08/03/1764
Messier 31: Andromeda GalaxyGalaxyOct08/03/1764
Messier 32: Le GentilGalaxyNov08/03/1764
Messier 33: Pinwheel GalaxyGalaxyDec08/25/1764
Messier 34: Spiral ClusterOpen Star ClusterJan08/25/1764
Messier 35: Shoe-Buckle ClusterOpen Star ClusterNov08/30/1764
Messier 36: Pinwheel ClusterOpen Star ClusterNov09/02/1764
Messier 37: Salt & Pepper ClusterOpen Star ClusterNov09/02/1764
Messier 38: Starfish ClusterOpen Star ClusterNov09/25/1764
Messier 39Open Star ClusterDec10/24/1764
Messier 40: Winnecke 4Optical DoubleApr10/24/1764
Messier 41: Little Beehive ClusterOpen Star ClusterFeb01/16/1765
Messier 42: Orion NebulaDiffuse NebulaJan03/04/1769
Messier 44: Beehive ClusterOpen Star ClusterFeb03/04/1769
Messier 45: PleiadesOpen Star ClusterNov03/04/1769
Messier 46Open Star ClusterFeb02/19/1771
Messier 47Open Star ClusterFeb02/19/1771
Messier 48Open Star ClusterJan02/19/1771
Messier 49GalaxyMay02/19/1771
Messier 50: Heart-Shaped ClusterOpen Star ClusterOct04/05/1772
Messier 51: Whirlpool GalaxyGalaxyMay01/11/1774
Messier 52: Scorpion ClusterOpen Star ClusterNov09/07/1774
Messier 53Globular ClusterMay02/26/1777
Messier 56Open Star ClusterOct01/23/1779
Messier 57: Ring NebulaPlanetary NebulaAug01/31/1779
Messier 58GalaxyApr04/15/1779
Messier 59GalaxyApr04/15/1779
Messier 60GalaxyMay04/15/1779
Messier 63: Sunflower GalaxyGalaxyMay06/14/1779
Messier 64: Blackeye GalaxyGalaxyMay03/01/1780
Messier 66: Leo TripletGalaxyMay03/01/1780
Messier 67: King Cobra ClusterOpen Star ClusterJan04/06/1780
Messier 71: Angelfish ClusterGlobular ClusterAug10/04/1780
Messier 73AsterismOct10/04/1780
Messier 75Globular ClusterAug08/27/1780
Messier 78: Casper Ghost NebulaReflection NebulaJan12/17/1780
Messier 80Globular ClusterSep01/04/1781
Messier 81: Bode’s GalaxyGalaxyMar02/09/1781
Messier 82: Cigar GalaxyGalaxyMar02/09/1781
Messier 84GalaxyMay03/18/1781
Messier 85GalaxyMay03/18/1781
Messier 86GalaxyMay03/18/1781
Messier 87: Virgo AGalaxyMay03/18/1781
Messier 92Globular ClusterMay03/18/1781
Messier 94: Cat’s Eye GalaxyGalaxyApr03/24/1781
Messier 96GalaxyMar03/24/1781
Messier 97: Owl NebulaPlanetary NebulaMar02/16/1781
Messier 100GalaxyApr03/15/1781
Messier 101: PinwheelGalaxyMay03/27/1781
Messier 102: Spindle GalaxyGalaxyJul03/??/1781
Messier 103Open Star ClusterOct03/??/1781
Messier 104: Sombrero GalaxyGalaxyMar05/11/1781
Messier 106Galaxy—19472
Messier 108: Surfboard GalaxyGalaxyFeb02/18/1781

1 Date when the object was first observed or added to Messier’s records.

2 Helen Sawyer Hogg added to the Messier list in 1947.