Charles Messier

Charles Messier (June 26, 1730 – (April 12, 1817) was a

Related Topics:
June 26 - 1730 - April 12 - 1817

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French astronomer who in 1774 published a catalogue of 45 deep sky objects such as nebulae and star clusters. The purpose of the catalogue was to help comet hunters (like himself) and other astronomical observers to distinguish between permanent and transient objects in the sky.

Related Topics:
French - Astronomer - 1774 - Deep sky objects - Nebula - Star cluster - Comet

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By 1781 the catalogue had grown to 110 'Messier Objects'. The objects' designations, from M1 to M110, are mostly still in use today.

Related Topics:
1781 - Catalogue - Messier Object

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The Messier crater on the Moon and the asteroid 7359 Messier were named in his honour.

Related Topics:
Messier crater - Moon - Asteroid - 7359 Messier

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