Messier Objects

Click on the link to the left, or below in the text to view my images of the various Messier objects.

Galaxies, Globular Clusters, Open Clusters, Planetary Nebulae, and Other Objects.

The following two paragraphs are copied from: http://seds.org/messier/

During the years from 1758 to 1782 Charles Messier, a French astronomer (1730 - 1817), compiled a list of approximately 100 diffuse objects that were difficult to distinguish from comets through the telescopes of the day. Discovering comets was the way to make a name for yourself in astronomy in the 18th century -- Messier's first aim was to catalog the objects that were often mistaken for comets.

Fortunately for us, the Messier Catalog became well known for a much higher purpose, as a collection of the most beautiful objects in the sky including nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies. It was one of the first major milestones in the history of the discovery of Deep Sky objects, as it was the first more comprehensive and more reliable list: Only four or five objects were initially missing because of data reduction errors, which could be figured out later though. Today's versions of the catalog usually include also later additions of objects observed by Charles Messier and his collegial friend, Pierre Méchain, but not included in his original list. The study of these objects by astronomers has led, and continues to lead, to important, incredible discoveries such as the life cycles of stars, the reality of galaxies as separate 'island universes,' and the possible age of the universe.

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Detailed, in depth, writeups for each Messier object can be viewed at: http://seds.org/messier/

See the entire Messier List here: http://astro.nineplanets.org/dssm/messier.html

I completed the Messier Marathon (viewing all objects in a single night) in March 2009. Ironically, i also was able to catch "quick images" of each object. There were three of us that accomplished the viewing of all 110 objects that night. Also ironic was the fact that the three of us were set up next to each other in the observing field, and kept encouraging each other through out the evening. There were about 150 total observers in the field that night.

Since then, I have always wanted to go back, and do a complete imaging project, worthy of posting to this site. I have begun a complete new series, which I am referring to as "Messier From DaHut". "DaHut" is the name that we have given to the back-yard observatory at our home in Tempe, Arizona. Therein lies a challenge. I am going to try and capture good images from with the city light area of Tempe (thing greater Phoenix, Arizona).

This project begins May, 2012. The entire 110 objects break down to the following table:

Galaxies . 40 Objects Thus far, 7 are now complete

Globular Clusters . 29 Objects Thus far, 10 are now complete

Open Clusters . 33 Objects Thus far, 0 are now complete

Planetary Nebulae . 4 Objects Thus far, 2 are now complete

Other Objects . 4 Objects Thus far, 1 are now complete

The completed (viewed and imaged) objects can be viewed here.

After i get about half way through, or so, I will do a different arrangement of the images, by type.

You can click on the small picture icons, and a full size image will be displayed.

Clusters | Galaxies | Nebulae