Messier Number

EXCELLENT QUESTION. In 1774, frustrated astronomer Charles Messier published a numbered list of things he had mistaken for comets. Called Nebulae and Star Clusters, the book catalogued his thwarted ambitions of Halley-style discovery fame. 

The first edition featured astronomical objects M1 to M45, with a final catalogue of 110 published in 1784. Many are still known by their Messier numbers, as he would be satisfied to learn. Others have since been given more descriptive names, including the Crab Nebula and Cigar Galaxy.

Working from France, Messier’s vision was restricted to the Northern Hemisphere, and limited by primitive technology. Nonetheless, the beautiful  objects remain popular viewing for amateur astrologers. Each year in early spring, stargazers gather for “Messier marathons”, when the objects can all be seen in a single night.

As for the blog, it just seemed a fitting title.