The Messier objects are a set of astronomical objects catalogued by French astronomer Charles Messier in his catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters first published in 1774. The original motivation behind the catalogue was that Messier was a comet hunter, and was frustrated by objects which resembled but were not comets. He therefore compiled a list of these objects.[1] The first edition covered 45 objects numbered M1 to M45. The total list consists of 110 objects, ranging from M1 to M110. The final catalogue was published in 1781 and printed in the Connaissance des Temps in 1784. Many of these objects are still known by their Messier number.[2] Because Messier lived and did his astronomical work in France in the Northern Hemisphere, the list he compiled contains only objects from the north celestial pole to a celestial latitude of about -35°. Many impressive Southern objects, such as the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds are excluded from the list. Because all of the Messier objects are visible with binoculars or small telescopes (under favorable conditions), they are popular viewing objects for amateur astronomers. In early spring, astronomers sometimes gather for "Messier marathons", when all of the objects can be viewed over a single night. Answer from Wikipedia and all of its sources
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A Messier object is any celestial object listed in the Messier catalog, which is a compilation of astronomical objects such as galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. The catalog was created by French astronomer Charles Messier in the 18th century to help distinguish these objects from comets.
I believe it is the Pleiades, Messier 45. The current best estimate at its distance is 135 parsecs, or about 440 light years away. Also as an interesting aside in Japanese it is known as Subaru and is used as the companies logo as seen on the front of its cars.
Kim Clark is Mark Messier's wife. Not girlfriend.
There are approximately 10 billion stars in Messier 32.
Charles Messier, a French astronomer, compiled a list of 110 astronomical objects, including comets, known as the Messier catalogue in the 18th century. His catalog was created to help differentiate between comets and other celestial objects, such as galaxies and nebulae.
Charles Messier discovered a list of astronomical objects known as the Messier Catalog, which includes galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae. He created this catalog while searching for comets, in order to help differentiate between comets and other celestial objects.