Messier Objects

Messier 50

Messier 50

DescriptionVisible From Pacific NorthwestNovember to MarchBest Time To ObserveDecember, January, and FebruaryMinimum Size Of Viewing DeviceSmall TelescopeObject TypeOpen ClusterDesignationsMessier 50, M50, NGC 2323, Collinder 124, OCl 559.0, C 0700-082, MWSC 1072Right Ascension07h 03.2mDeclination-08°20′ConstellationMonocerosNumber Of StarsMore…


Messier 49

Messier 49

The elliptical galaxy M49 was discovered by Charles Messier in 1771. Not only was it the first object discovered in the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, but it was also the first elliptical galaxy detected outside…


Messier 48

Messier 48

Messier 48 (M48) is an open star cluster located in Hydra, the largest constellation in the sky. DescriptionVisible From Pacific NorthwestOctober to MarchBest Time To ObserveJanuary and FebruaryMinimum Size Of Viewing DeviceBinocularsObject TypeOpen ClusterDesignationsMessier 48,…


Messier 47

Messier 47

Messier 47 is an open cluster in the constellation Puppis. It was discovered by Giovanni Batista Hodierna before 1654 and independently discovered by Charles Messier on February 19, 1771. It was later independently discovered again,…


Messier 46

Messier 46

M46 is a rich open cluster, easily visible with binoculars, that’s located in the Milky Way star fields of the constellation of Puppis. The cluster is a relatively large object with an apparent diameter almost…


M45 Pleides cluster

Messier 45 Pleiades

Commonly called the Pleiades or Seven Sisters, M45 is known as an open star cluster that contains over a thousand stars that are loosely bound by gravity, but it is visually dominated by a handful…


Messier 44 Beehive Cluster

The Beehive Cluster is an open cluster in the constellation Cancer. It is one of the nearest open clusters to Earth, containing a larger population of stars than other nearby bright open clusters. Under dark…


Messier 43 De Mairan's Nebula

Messier 43 De Mairan’s Nebula

Messier 43 or M43, also known as De Mairan’s Nebula and NGC 1982, is a star-forming nebula with a prominent H II region in the equatorial constellation of Orion. It was discovered by the French…


Messier 42 Orion Nebula nebula

Messier 42 Orion Nebula

Messier 42 (M42), the famous Orion Nebula, is an emission-reflection nebula located in the constellation Orion, the Hunter. The Orion Nebula is one of the most scrutinized and photographed objects in the night sky, and…


Messier 41

Messier 41

Messier 41 (M41) is a bright open star cluster located in Canis Major constellation. It lies near Sirius, the brightest star in the sky. Messier 41 occupies an area of 38 arc minutes in apparent…