Messier Objects

Messier 21

Messier 21

Messier 21 is an open cluster that consists mainly of small, faint stars, but is also home to a few blue giants. The cluster contains about 57 confirmed members, but is pretty densely packed. It…


Messier 20 Trifid Nebula

Messier 20 Trifid Nebula

Messier 20, the Trifid Nebula, is an Open Cluster as well as a combination of Emission, Reflection and Dark Nebula located in the Sagittarius region of the Milky Way. It also belongs to the constellation…


Messier 19

Messier 19

The stars in globular clusters orbit about a common center of gravity, so these clusters are usually spherical. Some globular clusters, like Messier 19, have a slightly elongated shape. This cluster is only 6,500 light-years…


Messier 18

Messier 18

It looks like Messier 18 might very well be a binary cluster that is paired with NGC 6618. NGC 6618 located inside Messier 17. Messier 18 is a relatively dim open star cluster located in…


Messier 17 Omega Nebula

Messier 17 Omega Nebula

Messier 17 is the star-forming nebula that is more famously known by its nicknames as the Omega Nebula, Swan Nebula, Checkmark Nebula, or Horseshoe Nebula. Located in the Sagittarius constellation, M17 is a very beautiful nebula…


Messier 16 Eagle Nebula

Messier 16 Eagle Nebula

Messier 16 the famous Eagle Nebula, is a star-forming nebula with a young open star cluster located in Serpens. Messier 16 is maybe most famous for the Hubble photo showing the Pillars Of Creation, which lies…


Messier 15 Great Pegasus Cluster

Messier 15 Great Pegasus Cluster

With over 100,000 stars and an age of 12 billion years old, Messier 15 the Great Pegasus Cluster is a magnificent sight to see. This globular cluster is one of the densest ever discovered, with…


Messier 14

Messier 14

Messier 14 is a globular cluster that is 13 billion years old with 150,000 stars, located in the southern constellation Ophiuchus. DescriptionVisible From Pacific NorthwestMay, June, and JulyBest Time To ObserveJulyMinimum Size Of Viewing DeviceTelescopeObject…


Messier 13 Hercules Globular Cluster

Messier 13 Hercules Globular Cluster

Messier 13 is a wonderful globular cluster to view during the summer months. Famously, Messier 13, the Hercules Globular Cluster was the target of the Arecibo message, sent in 1974, which contained information about the…


Messier 12

Messier 12

Messier 12 is located 15,700 light-years from Earth in the constellation Ophiuchus with an apparent magnitude of 7.7 and can be observed with a pair of binoculars most easily in July. Come learn about how…