Many amateur astronomers begin their deep-sky adventure by observing the 110 assorted nebulae, star clusters and galaxies in the Messier catalog. This catalog was compiled by French astronomer Charles Messier during the late 1700's and includes many of the best deep-sky objects that can be observed with a small telescope. Some backyard observers even attempt to observe all 110 Messier objects in a single night. This observing challenge is known as the Messier Marathon. Click on the button to enter my Messier Marathoner's Guide.
The links below will take you to my sketches of these fine deep-sky delights. You may enjoy visiting the SEDS Messier Database, a Web site maintained by the Students for the Exploration and Development of Space featuring information about Charles Messier and his catalog.
M1-Crab Nebula | M2 | M3 | M4 | M5 | M6 | M7 | M8-Lagoon Nebula | M9 | M10 | M11-Wild Duck | M12 | M13-Great Hercules Cluster | M14 | M15 | M16-Eagle Nebula | M17-Swan Nebula | M18 | M19 | M20-Trifid Nebula | M21 | M22 | M23 | M24-Milky Way Star Cloud | M25 | M26 | M27-Dumbbell Nebula | M28 | M29-Little Sisters | M30 | M31-Andromeda Galaxy, M32 & M110 | M33-Pinwheel Galaxy | M34 | M35 | M36 | M37 | M38 | M39 | M40 | M41 | M42-Orion Nebula & M43 | M44-Beehive Cluster | M45-Pleiades | M46 | M47 | M48 | M49 | M50 | M51-Whirlpool Galaxy | M52 | M53 | M54 | M55 | M56 | M57-Ring Nebula | M58 | M59 | M60 | M61 | M62 | M63 | M64-Black Eye Galaxy | M65 & 66 | M67 | M68 | M69 | M70 | M71 | M72 | M73 | M74 | M75 | M76-Little Dumbbell | M77 | M78 | M79 | M80 | M81 & M82 | M83 | M84 & M86-Virgo Cluster | M85 | M87 | M88 | M89 | M90 | M91 | M92 | M93 | M94 | M95 & M96 | M97-Owl Nebula | M98 | M99 | M100 | M101 | M102 | M103-Christmas Tree Cluster | M104-Sombrero Galaxy | M105 | M106 | M107 | M108 | M109
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Revised: February 5, 2002 [WDF]