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with contributions by
Glen Cozens,
Guy McArthur and
Bill Arnett
Also available as ascii file
This list summarizes all deep sky objects which are known or seriously assumed to have been discovered before William Herschel began his great Deep Sky survey in September, 1782.
We give the identification by name or catalog number, basic astronomical data, discovery data, and possible common names for each object. As these objects have all been detected with moderate equipment, they are all within the range of even modest modern amateur telescopes.
This project was partly inspired by a fruitful discussion with Glen Cozens. Data are partly based on the original Messier data, collected by Guy McArthur and updated by the authors with the help of Bill Arnett.
This list is arranged to 2 lines per object. Also available as 1-line and 3-lines per object lists.
This list is sorted by catalog number/Name. Also available: ordered by Right Ascension, ordered by Declination, ordered by Constellation, ordered.by Discovery Date.
M No/Name NGC Const T SubT RA Dec m_v Dim Dist
Discov. Date Discoverer Names/Notes
M 1 1952 Tau 9 - 05:34.5 +22:01 8.4 6x4 6.3
1731 Bevis Crab Nebula
M 2 7089 Aqr 2 II 21:33.5 -00:49 6.5 12.9 36.2
1746 Sep 11 Maraldi
M 3 5272 CVn 2 VI 13:42.2 +28:23 6.2 16.2 30.6
1764 May 3 Messier
M 4 6121 Sco 2 IX 16:23.6 -26:32 5.6 26.3 6.8
1745-6 de Cheseaux No. 19
M 5 5904 SerCap 2 V 15:18.6 +02:05 5.6 17.4 22.8
1702 May 5 Kirch
M 6 6405 Sco 1 'e' 17:40.1 -32:13 5.3 25.0 2
<1654 Hodierna Butterfly Cluster
M 7 6475 Sco 1 'e' 17:53.9 -34:49 4.1 80.0 0.8
138 AD Ptolemy The Scorpion's Tail, Ptolemy's Cluster
M 8 6523 Sgr 4 E 18:03.8 -24:23 6.0 90x40 5.2
1749 Le Gentil Lagoon Nebula
M 9 6333 Oph 2 VIII 17:19.2 -18:31 7.7 9.3 26.4
1764 May 28 Messier
M 10 6254 Oph 2 VII 16:57.1 -04:06 6.6 15.1 13.4
1764 May 29 Messier
M 11 6705 Sct 1 'g' 18:51.1 -06:16 6.3 14.0 6
1681 Kirch Wild Duck Cluster
M 12 6218 Oph 2 IX 16:47.2 -01:57 6.7 14.5 17.6
1764 May 30 Messier
M 13 6205 Her 2 V 16:41.7 +36:28 5.8 16.6 22.8
1714 Halley Hercules Globular Cluster
M 14 6402 Oph 2 VIII 17:37.6 -03:15 7.6 11.7 27.4
1764 Jun 1 Messier
M 15 7078 Peg 2 IV 21:30.0 +12:10 6.2 12.3 32.6
1746 Sep 7 Maraldi
M 16 6611 SerCau 1 'e' 18:18.8 -13:47 6.4 7.0 7
1745-46 de Cheseaux No. 4 associated with the Eagle Nebula
M 17 6618 Sgr 4 E 18:20.8 -16:11 7.0 11.0 5
1745-46 de Cheseaux No. 20 Omega, Swan, Horseshoe or Lobster Nebula
M 18 6613 Sgr 1 'd' 18:19.9 -17:08 7.5 9.0 4.9
1764 Jun 3 Messier
M 19 6273 Oph 2 VIII 17:02.6 -26:16 6.8 13.5 27.1
1764 Jun 5 Messier
M 20 6514 Sgr 4 E+R 18:02.6 -23:02 9.0 28.0 5.2
1764 Jun 5 Messier Trifid Nebula
M 21 6531 Sgr 1 'd' 18:04.6 -22:30 6.5 13.0 4.25
1764 Jun 5 Messier
M 22 6656 Sgr 2 VII 18:36.4 -23:54 5.1 24.0 10.1
1665 Aug 26 Ihle
M 23 6494 Sgr 1 'e' 17:56.8 -19:01 6.9 27.0 2.15
1764 Jun 20 Messier
M 24 >6603 Sgr B - 18:16.9 -18:29 4.6 90 10
1764 Jun 20 [Messier] Sagittarius Star Cloud, Delle Caustiche
M 25 I4725 Sgr 1 'd' 18:31.6 -19:15 6.5 40.0 2
1745-46 de Cheseaux No. 5
M 26 6694 Sct 1 'f' 18:45.2 -09:24 8.0 15.0 5
1764 Jun 20 Messier
M 27 6853 Vul 3 3a+2 19:59.6 +22:43 7.4 8.0x5.7 1.25
1764 Jul 12 Messier Dumbbell Nebula
M 28 6626 Sgr 2 IV 18:24.5 -24:52 6.8 11.2 17.9
1764 Jul 27 Messier
M 29 6913 Cyg 1 'd' 20:23.9 +38:32 7.1 7.0 4.0
1764 Jul 29 Messier
M 30 7099 Cap 2 V 21:40.4 -23:11 7.2 11.0 24.8
1764 Aug 3 Messier
M 31 224 And 5 Sb 00:42.7 +41:16 3.4 178x63 2900
< 905 AD Al Sufi Andromeda Galaxy
M 32 221 And 6 E2 00:42.7 +40:52 8.1 8x6 2900
1749 Oct 29 Le Gentil A Satellite of the Andromeda Galaxy, M31
M 33 598 Tri 5 Sc 01:33.9 +30:39 5.7 73x45 3000
<1654 Hodierna Triangulum Galaxy
M 34 1039 Per 1 'd' 02:42.0 +42:47 5.5 35.0 1.4
<1654 Hodierna
M 35 2168 Gem 1 'e' 06:08.9 +24:20 5.3 28.0 2.8
1745-46 de Cheseaux No. 12
M 36 1960 Aur 1 'f' 05:36.1 +34:08 6.3 12.0 4.1
<1654 Hodierna
M 37 2099 Aur 1 'f' 05:52.4 +32:33 6.2 24.0 4.4
<1654 Hodierna
M 38 1912 Aur 1 'e' 05:28.4 +35:50 7.4 21.0 4.2
<1654 Hodierna
M 39 7092 Cyg 1 'e' 21:32.2 +48:26 5.2 32.0 0.825
1764 Oct 24 Messier
M 40 UMa C - 12:22.4 +58:05 8.4 0.8 0.51
1764 Oct 24 [Messier] Winnecke 4
M 41 2287 CMa 1 'e' 06:46.0 -20:44 4.6 38.0 2.3
<1654 Hodierna
M 42 1976 Ori 4 E+R 05:35.4 -05:27 4.0 85x60 1.6
1610 Peiresc Orion Nebula
M 43 1982 Ori 4 E+R 05:35.6 -05:16 9.0 20x15 1.6
1731 de Mairan De Mairan's Nebula, part of Orion Nebula
M 44 2632 Cnc 1 'd' 08:40.1 +19:59 3.7 95.0 0.577
300-250 BC Aratus/Theophrastus Beehive Cluster, Praesepe
M 45 Tau 1 'c' 03:47.0 +24:07 1.6 110.0 0.38
pre-hist (Hesiod 1000 BC) Pleiades
M 46 2437 Pup 1 'f' 07:41.8 -14:49 6.0 27.0 5.4
1771 Feb 19 Messier
M 47 2422 Pup 1 'd' 07:36.6 -14:30 5.2 30.0 1.6
<1654 Hodierna
M 48 2548 Hya 1 'f' 08:13.8 -05:48 5.5 54.0 1.5
1771 Feb 19 Messier
M 49 4472 Vir 6 E4 12:29.8 +08:00 8.4 9x7.5 60000
1771 Feb 19 Messier
M 50 2323 Mon 1 'e' 07:03.2 -08:20 6.3 16.0 3
1711 G.D. Cassini (?)
M 51 5194 CVn 5 Sc 13:29.9 +47:12 8.4 11x7 37000
1773 Oct 13 Messier Whirlpool Galaxy
M 52 7654 Cas 1 'e' 23:24.2 +61:35 7.3 13.0 5.0
1774 Sep 7 Messier
M 53 5024 Com 2 V 13:12.9 +18:10 7.6 12.6 56.4
1775 Feb 3 Bode (#26)
M 54 6715 Sgr 2 III 18:55.1 -30:29 7.6 9.1 82.8
1778 Jul 24 Messier
M 55 6809 Sgr 2 XI 19:40.0 -30:58 6.3 19.0 16.6
1751-52 Lacaille I.14
M 56 6779 Lyr 2 X 19:16.6 +30:11 8.3 7.1 31.6
1779 Jan 19 Messier
M 57 6720 Lyr 3 4+3 18:53.6 +33:02 8.8 1.4x1.0 4.1
1779 Jan Darquier Ring Nebula
M 58 4579 Vir 5 SBc 12:37.7 +11:49 9.7 5.5x4.5 60000
1779 Apr 15 Messier
M 59 4621 Vir 6 E5 12:42.0 +11:39 9.6 5x3.5 60000
1779 Apr 11 Koehler
M 60 4649 Vir 6 E2 12:43.7 +11:33 8.8 7x6 60000
1779 Apr 11 Koehler
M 61 4303 Vir 5 SABbc 12:21.9 +04:28 9.7 6x5.5 60000
1779 May 5 Oriani
M 62 6266 Oph 2 IV 17:01.2 -30:07 6.5 14.1 21.5
1771 Jun 7 Messier
M 63 5055 CVn 5 Sb 13:15.8 +42:02 8.6 10x6 37000
1779 Jun 14 Mechain Sunflower Galaxy
M 64 4826 Com 5 Sb 12:56.7 +21:41 8.5 9.3x5.4 12000
1779 Apr 4 Bode (#77) Blackeye Galaxy
M 65 3623 Leo 5 Sa 11:18.9 +13:05 9.3 8x1.5 35000
1780 Mar 1 Mechain in the Leo Triplett
M 66 3627 Leo 5 Sb 11:20.2 +12:59 8.9 8x2.5 35000
1780 Mar 1 Mechain in the Leo Triplett
M 67 2682 Cnc 1 'f' 08:50.4 +11:49 6.1 30.0 2.7
<1779 Koehler (#19)
M 68 4590 Hya 2 X 12:39.5 -26:45 7.8 12.0 32.3
1780 Apr 9 Mechain
M 69 6637 Sgr 2 V 18:31.4 -32:21 7.6 7.1 26.7
1751-52 Lacaille I.11
M 70 6681 Sgr 2 V 18:43.2 -32:18 7.9 7.8 28.0
1780 Aug 31 Messier
M 71 6838 Sge 2 X-XI 19:53.8 +18:47 8.2 7.2 11.7
1745-46 de Cheseaux No. 13
M 72 6981 Aqr 2 IX 20:53.5 -12:32 9.3 5.9 52.8
1780 Aug 30 Mechain
M 73 6994 Aqr A - 20:58.9 -12:38 9.0 2.8 0
1780 Oct 4 [Messier]
M 74 628 Psc 5 Sc 01:36.7 +15:47 9.4 10.2x9.5 35000
1780 Sep end Mechain
M 75 6864 Sgr 2 I 20:06.1 -21:55 8.5 6.0 57.7
1780 Aug 27 Mechain
M 76 650 Per 3 3+6 01:42.4 +51:34 10.1 2.7x1.8 3.4
1780 Sep 5 Mechain Little Dumbbell Nebula
M 77 1068 Cet 5 Sb 02:42.7 -00:01 8.9 7x6 60000
1780 Oct 29 Mechain Cetus A
M 78 2068 Ori 4 R 05:46.7 +00:03 8.3 8x6 1.6
1780 "begin" Mechain
M 79 1904 Lep 2 V 05:24.5 -24:33 7.7 8.7 41.1
1780 Oct 26 Mechain
M 80 6093 Sco 2 II 16:17.0 -22:59 7.3 8.9 27.4
1781 Jan 4 Messier
M 81 3031 UMa 5 Sb 09:55.6 +69:04 6.9 21x10 12000
1774 Dec 31 Bode (#17) Bode's Galaxy
M 82 3034 UMa 7 Ir-II 09:55.8 +69:41 8.4 9x4 12000
1774 Dec 31 Bode (#18) Cigar Galaxy
M 83 5236 Hya 5 SABc 13:37.0 -29:52 7.6 11x10 15000
1751-52 Lacaille I.6 Southern Pinwheel
M 84 4374 Vir 8 S0 12:25.1 +12:53 9.1 5.0 60000
1781 Mar 18 Messier
M 85 4382 Com 8 S0 12:25.4 +18:11 9.1 7.1x5.2 60000
1781 Mar 4 Mechain
M 86 4406 Vir 8 S0 12:26.2 +12:57 8.9 7.5x5.5 60000
1781 Mar 18 Messier
M 87 4486 Vir 6 E1 12:30.8 +12:24 8.6 7.0 60000
1781 Mar 18 Messier Virgo A
M 88 4501 Com 5 Sc 12:32.0 +14:25 9.6 7x4 60000
1781 Mar 18 Messier
M 89 4552 Vir 6 E0 12:35.7 +12:33 9.8 4.0 60000
1781 Mar 18 Messier
M 90 4569 Vir 5 Sb 12:36.8 +13:10 9.5 9.5x4.5 60000
1781 Mar 18 Messier
M 91 4548 Com 5 SBb 12:35.4 +14:30 10.2 5.4x4.4 60000
1781 Mar 18 Messier
M 92 6341 Her 2 IV 17:17.1 +43:08 6.4 11.2 26.4
1777 Dec 31 Bode (#76)
M 93 2447 Pup 1 'g' 07:44.6 -23:52 6.0 22.0 3.6
1781 Mar 20 Messier
M 94 4736 CVn 5 Sb 12:50.9 +41:07 8.2 7x3 14500
1781 Mar 22 Mechain
M 95 3351 Leo 5 SBb 10:44.0 +11:42 9.7 4.4x3.3 38000
1781 Mar 20 Mechain
M 96 3368 Leo 5 Sa 10:46.8 +11:49 9.2 6x4 38000
1781 Mar 20 Mechain
M 97 3587 UMa 3 3a 11:14.8 +55:01 9.9 3.4x3.3 2.6
1781 Feb 16 Mechain Owl Nebula
M 98 4192 Com 5 Sb 12:13.8 +14:54 10.1 9.5x3.2 60000
1781 Mar 15 Mechain
M 99 4254 Com 5 Sc 12:18.8 +14:25 9.9 5.4x4.8 60000
1781 Mar 15 Mechain
M100 4321 Com 5 Sc 12:22.9 +15:49 9.3 7x6 60000
1781 Mar 15 Mechain
M101 5457 UMa 5 Sc 14:03.2 +54:21 7.9 22.0 27000
1781 Mar 27 Mechain Pinwheel Galaxy
M102? 5866 Dra 8 S0_3 15:06.5 +55:46 9.9 5.2x2.3 40000
1781 Mar-Apr Mechain? Messier? Spindle Galaxy
M103 581 Cas 1 'd' 01:33.2 +60:42 7.4 6.0 8
1781 Mar-Apr Mechain
M104 4594 Vir 5 Sa 12:40.0 -11:37 8.0 9x4 50000
1781 May 11 Messier Sombrero Galaxy
M105 3379 Leo 6 E1 10:47.8 +12:35 9.3 2.0 38000
1781 Mar 24 Mechain
M106 4258 CVn 5 Sbp 12:19.0 +47:18 8.4 19x8 25000
1781 Jul Mechain
M107 6171 Oph 2 X 16:32.5 -13:03 7.9 10.0 19.6
1782 Apr Mechain
M108 3556 UMa 5 Sc 11:11.5 +55:40 10.0 8x1 45000
1781 Feb 16 Mechain
M109 3992 UMa 5 SBc 11:57.6 +53:23 9.8 7x4 55000
1781 Feb 16 Mechain
M110 205 And 6 E6p 00:40.4 +41:41 8.5 17x10 2900
1773 Aug 10 Messier A Satellite of the Andromeda Galaxy, M31
47 Tuc 104 Tuc 2 III 00:24.1 -72:05 4.03 30.9 13.4
1751-52 Lacaille I.1 47 Tucanae
SMC 292 Tuc 7 SBmp 00:52.7 -72:50 2.3 280x160 210
pre-hist (Magellan 1519) Small Magellanic Cloud
752 And 1 'd' 01:57.8 +37:41 5.7 60 1.3
<1654 Hodierna (prob)
h Per 869 Per 1 'f' 02:19.0 +57:09 4.3 30 7.1
130 BC Hipparchus h Persei, double cluster with chi.
Chi Per 884 Per 1 'e' 02:22.4 +57:07 4.4 30 7.4
130 BC Hipparchus chi Persei, double cluster with h.
2070 Dor 4 E 05:38.7 -69:06 8 40x25 179.0
1751-52 Lacaille I.2 Tarantula Nebula in LMC
2244 Mon 1 06:32.3 +05:03 4.8 80x60 5.5
1690 Flamsteed cluster in Rosette Nebula
2362 CMa 1 07:18.8 -24:57 4.1 8 5.0
<1654 Hodierna Tau CMa cluster
2451 Pup 1 07:45.4 -37:58 2.8 45 0.85
<1654 Hodierna (prob)
2477 Pup 1 'g' 07:52.3 -38:33 5.8 27 4.2
1751-52 Lacaille I.3
2516 Car 1 'g' 07:58.3 -60:52 3.8 30 1.3
1751-52 Lacaille II.3
2546 Pup 1 08:12.4 -37:38 6.3 41 3.3
1751-52 Lacaille II.4
2547 Vel 1 'd' 08:10.7 -49:16 4.7 20 1.96
1751-52 Lacaille III.2
3228 Vel 1 'f' 10:21.8 -51:43 6.0 18 1.6
1751-52 Lacaille II.7
3293 Car 1 'd' 10:35.8 -58:14 4.7 6 8.4
1751-52 Lacaille II.8
3372 Car 4 E 10:43.8 -59:52 1.0 120x120 10.0
1751-52 Lacaille III.5.6 Eta Carinae nebula
3532 Car 1 11:06.4 -58:40 3.0 55 1.3
1751-52 Lacaille II.10
3766 Cen 1 11:36.1 -61:37 5.3 12 5.5
1751-52 Lacaille III.7
Kappa Cru 4755 Cru 1 12:53.6 -60:20 4.2 10 7.6
1751-52 Lacaille II.12 Kappa Cruxis, the Jewel Box cluster
4833 Mus 2 VIII 12:59.6 -70:53 6.91 13.5 18.6
1751-52 Lacaille I.4
Omega Cen 5139 Cen 2 VIII 13:26.8 -47:29 3.68 36.3 16.0
1677 Halley Omega Centauri
5195 CVn 7 Pec 13:30.0 +47:16 9.6 6.4x4.6 37000
1781 Mar 20 Mechain Companion of M51
5281 Cen 1 13:46.6 -62:54 5.9 5 4.2
1751-52 Lacaille I.7
5662 Cen 1 14:35.2 -56:33 5.5 12
1751-52 Lacaille III.8
6025 TrA 1 16:03.7 -60:30 5.1 12 2.7
1751-52 Lacaille III.10
6124 Sco 1 16:25.6 -40:40 5.8: 29 18.6
1751-52 Lacaille I.8
6231 Sco 1 'e' 16:54.0 -41:48 2.6 15 5.9
<1654 Hodierna
6242 Sco 1 'f' 16:55.6 -39:30 6.4 9 3.9
1751-52 Lacaille I.10
6397 Ara 2 IX 17:40.7 -53:40 5.9 26.0 7.2
1751-52 Lacaille III.11
6530 Sgr 1 18:04.8 -24:20 4.6 14 5.2
<1654 Hodierna Open cluster associated with M8
6633 Oph 1 18:27.7 +06:34 4.6 27 1.04
1745-46 de Cheseaux
o Vel I2391 Vel 1 'c' 08:40.2 -53:04 2.5 50 0.58
964 AD Al Sufi; Lac II.5 omicron Velorum cluster
I2488 Vel 1 09:27.6 -56:59 7.4p 15 ?
1751-52 Lacaille III.4
I2602 Car 1 10:43.2 -64:24 1.9 50 0.479
1751-52 Lacaille II.9 theta Carinae cluster, Southern Pleiades
I4665 Oph 1 17:46.3 +05:43 4.2 70 1.4
1745-46 de Cheseaux
Cr 399 Vul 1 19:25.4 +20:11 3.6 60 0.42
964 AD Al Sufi Brocchi's Cluster
Mel 20 Per 1 03:22 +49: 1.2 185 0.601
<1654 Hodierna The Alpha Persei Moving Cluster
Mel 25 Tau 1 04:27 +16: 0.5 330 0.150
pre-hist Hyades
Mel 111 Com 1 12:25 +26: 1.8 275 0.288
138 AD Ptolemy Coma Star Cluster
LMC Dor 7 SBm 05:23.6 -69:45 0.1 650x550 179.0
pre-hist (Magellan 1519) Large Magellanic Cloud
Milky Way Sgr 5 SABbc 17:45.6 -28:56 28
pre-hist Milky Way, our Galaxy
UMa Cl UMa 1 12:30: +56: 0: 1800: 0.075
pre-hist Ursa Major Moving Cluster, Cr 285
Key:
1 Open Cluster
2 Globular Cluster
3 Planetary Nebula
4 Diffuse Nebula
5 Spiral Galaxy
6 Elliptical Galaxy
7 Irregular Galaxy
8 Lenticular (S0) Galaxy
9 Supernova Remnant
A System of 4 stars or Asterism (M73)
B Milky Way Patch (M24)
C Binary star (M40)
positions 2000.0 according to Sky Catalog 2000
PN vis mag from Hynes
Glob Cl vis mag and distances from Harris' database (29-Feb 96/15 May 97)
vis mag's cross-checked with Sky Catalogue 2000.0 and Kenneth Glyn Jones
for galaxies adopted from Uroanometria 2000.0
diameters from Bill Arnett's data file
M63 dist from M51 (group)
M77 quoted from HST PR
M101, M81 group, M96 group distances from HST measurements
Virgo cl distance 60 Mly assumed (HST via M96 gr)
Last Modification: 3 Feb 1998, 22:30 MET