Tim Vasquez's Deep Sky Viewing guide

Tim Vasquez's Deep Sky Viewing Guide
©2001 Tim Vasquez

This is designed to be a viewing guide that caters to my idea of deep sky observing. Many of the objects are Messier objects. Charles Messier (pronounced mez'-yay) was a 18th century French astronomer who studied comets. He compiled a list of unusual objects which were not comets. Interestingly this gave us one of the best lists ever of beautiful deep-sky objects to see, known as the Messier Catalog. It consists of about 107 objects. I've added onto this list, though, identifying some of the favorite NGC and other spectacles in the night sky.

Abbreviations

snov Supernova remnant

glob Globular Cluster

open Open Cluster

diff Diffuse Nebula

ptch Milky Way patch

plan Planetary nebula

sgax Spiral galaxy

egax Elliptical galaxy

doub Double Star

astr Asterism

igax Irregular galaxy

lgax Lenticular galaxy

M#	NGC #	Name	Object type	Location	RA	Decl	Ang dia	Distance (ly)	Size (ly)	App mag	Remarks
M1	1952	Crab Nebula	snov	Taurus	5h 34.5m	+22 01'	6 x 4'	6300	10	8.4	This is remnants of summer 1054 A.D. supernova, said to be six times brighter than Venus Appears to be along outward radial from Milky Way core in the lower part of the Perseus arm (the next arm outward from us) At center is a pulsar: from a neutron star rotating 30 times per second! This was the deep-sky object that initially fooled Charles Messier, prompting him to develop the list of "non comet" objects that became the Messier Catalog
M2	7089	-	glob	Aquarius	21h 33.5m	-0 49'	12.9'	37500	150	6.5	Located a significant distance underneath the far side of the Milky Way galaxy (below and right of the core) A favorite Contains about 150,000 stars
M3	5272	-	glob	Canes Venatici	13h 42.2m	+28 23'	16.2'	33900	160	6.2	Located upstream along galaxy arm, outlying and above galaxy Contains 500,00 stars; 212 of them being variable stars Approaches at 148.5 km/s
M4	6121	-	glob	Scorpius	16h 23.6m	-26 32'	26.3'	7200	58	5.6	Looks perpendicular into inner arms; probably located in Centaurus arm (the next one past neighboring Sagittarius arm) Extremely bright but strongly obscured by dark interstellar matter Recedes at 65 km/s
M5	5904	-	glob	Serpens	15h 18.6m	+2 05'	17.4'	24500	140	5.6	We see it through void between next inner arm; M5 is probably upstream where our arm wraps inward Among the oldest globular clusters (age 13 billion years) Receding at 50 km/s
M6	6405	Butterfly Cluster	open	Scorpius	17h 40.1m	-32 13'	25.0'	2000	20	5.3	Located in void between our galaxy arm and next inner one (Sagittarius); we look upstream through void Probably located on near edge of Sagittarius arm (next one inward); we look inward and broadside to it Age is 50 to 100 million years
M7	6475	Scorpion's Tail Ptolemy's Cluster	open	Scorpius	17h 53.9m	-34 49'	80'	800	20	4.1	Located nearby on outer edge of our own galaxy arm (Orion) near void to Sagittarius arm Described by Ptolemy in 130 AD as "nebula following the sting of Scorpius"
M8	6523	Lagoon Nebula	diff	Sagittarius	18h 3.8m	-24 23'	90' x 40'	5200	140 x 60	6.0	Likely located on far side of Sagittarius arm (the next one inward), which we see broadside Contains dark nebula (globules): collapsing protostellar clouds In brightest part of M8 is the Lagoon Nebula Hubble Space Telescope views of M8 are breathtaking
M9	6333	-	glob	Ophichius	17h 19.2m	-18 31'	9.3'	26700	70	7.7	Located close to Milky Way galaxy center (just to the right from our perspective) Only 5500 ly from the galactic center Heavily obscured by dark interstellar matter Receding at 224 km/s (fast)

M#	NGC #	Name	Object type	Location	RA	Decl	Ang dia	Distance (ly)	Size (ly)	App mag	Remarks
M10	6254	-	glob	Ophiuchus	16h 57.1m	-4 06'	15.1'	14400	63	6.6	Located upstream along Sagittarius arm (next inner one) some distance, about halfway to closest approach to Galactic core Receding at 69 km/s Only contains 3 variable stars
M11	6705	Wild Duck Cluster	open	Scutum	18h 51.1m	-6 16'	14.0'	6000	25	6.3	Located within Sagittarius arm of galaxy (next one inward), looking broadside but slightly upstream About 220 million years old Contains many yellow and red giants of around absolute magnitude -1.0 Receding at 22 km/s
M12	6218	-	glob	Ophiuchus	16h 47.2m	-1 57'	14.5'	16000	68	6.7	Located upstream along Sagittarius arm (next inner one) some distance, about halfway to closest approach to Galactic core Similar in appearance and location to M10
M13	6205	Hercules Globular Cluster	glob	Hercules	16h 41.7m	+36 28'	16.6'	25100	165	5.8	Located far above Milky Way galaxy upstream arms before they curve around the galactic core One of the most familiar globular clusters in northern sky Contains 100,000 stars At least 14 billion years old Contains unusually new (blue) star (Barnard 29) Suspected as one of best candidates for other civilizations; was selected in 1974 as target for one of first radio messages
M14	6402	-	glob	Ophiuchus	17h 37.6m	-3 15'	11.7'	29000	72	7.6	Located far upstream along Sagittarius arm close to galactic core Contains no dense central condensation Contains over 70 variable stars A nova appeared in M14 in 1938 at magnitude 16 Is considered to be the first heavenly body CCD-imaged
M15	7078	-	glob	Pegasus	21h 30.0m	+12 10'	12.3'	33600	120	6.2	Located well below outermost arms of Milky Way galaxy, broadside to our arm and slightly upstream Regarded as a familiar favorite Densest of all globular clusters in the Milky Way A black hole is hypothesized to be responsible for dense core Contains 15 pulsars Core is contracting as part of a core collapse Contains 112 variable stars Approaching at 112 km/s
M16	6611	near Eagle Nebula	open	Serpens	18h 18.8m	-13 47'	7.0'	7000	18	6.4	Located in next inner spiral arm of Milky Way Glows because of excitation by radiation of nearby hot young stars Hubble Space Telescope views are breathtaking Only 5.5 million years old
M17	6618	Omega, Swan, Horseshoe or Lobster Nebula	diff	Sagittarius	18h 20.8m	-16 11'	11'	5000	15	7.0	Located in Sagittarius arm, next one inward; it is broadside to us near M17 Glows by emission due to nearby hot, young stars Mass of nebula is 800 times that of our sun
M18	6613	-	open	Sagittarius	18h 19.9m	-17 08'	9.0	4900	17	7.5	Located in Sagittarius arm of Milky Way galaxy, the next one inward, it is broadside to us near M18 Contains only 20 stars Cluster is only 32 million years old
M19	6273	-	glob	Ophiuchus	17h 02.6m	-26 16'	13.5'	28400	65	6.8	Located above next inward arm of Milky Way galaxy (Sagittarius arm) near galactic core Only 5200 ly from center of Milky Way Receding at 146 km/s

M#	NGC #	Name	Object type	Location	RA	Decl	Ang dia	Distance (ly)	Size (ly)	App mag	Remarks
M20	6514	Trifid Nebula	diff	Sagittarius	18h 02.6m	-23 02'	28.0'	5200	50	9.0	Located in Sagittarius Arm, the next inward arm, which is broadside to us near M20 Unique brainlike mass with three lobes Energized by ADS 10991, a system of 3 extremely hot O stars Very close to M21
M21	6531	-	open	Sagittarius	19h 4.6m	-22 30'	13.0'	4250	25	6.5	Located in Sagittarius Arm, the next inward arm, which is broadside to us near M21 Consists of 57 stars, the brightest of which are spectral type B Young cluster (only 4.6 million years old) Very close to M20 (Trifid Nebula)
M22	6656	-	glob	Sagittarius	18h 36.4m	-23 54'	24'	10400	65	5.1	A favorite Probably located in the Centaurus arm (second one inward); directly toward galactic core but only a third of the way to it Consists of 70,000 stars; 32 of which are variables From lambda go northeast along string of stars 2 deg. Better at 50x in small, 100x in large scopes Part of Halley's list of 6 objects published in 1715 Bright enough to be visible to the naked eye
M23	6494	-	open	Sagittarius	17h 56.8m	-19 01'	27'	2150	20	6.9	Located somewhere in interstellar void between our arm and the next one inward (Sagittarius Arm), which we see broadside near M23 Contains about 150 stars Age is about 220 million years
M24	6603	Sagittarius Star Cloud Delle Caustiche	ptch	Sagittarius	18h 16.9m	-18 29'	90'	10000	200w	4.6	Probably located in the Centaurus arm (second one inward); directly toward galactic core but only a third of the way to it Consists of numerous stars not clustered but aligned along line of sight through a gap in interstellar dust Most stars in M24 are part of Sagittarius arm of Milky Way (next one inward) One of our only windows towards other arms of Milky Way
M25	IC4725	-	open	Sagittarius	18h 31.6m	-19 15'	40'	2000	23	6.5	Located somewhere in interstellar void between our arm and the next one inward (Sagittarius Arm), which we see broadside near M23 Consists of about 86 stars; two of type M and two of type G About 90 million years old
M26	6694	-	open	Scutum	18h 45.2m	-09 24'	15'	5000	22	8.0	Located in Sagittarius arm of Milky Way galaxy (next one inward), which is upstream from us around M26 Much dimmer than nearby M11 About 89 million years old Contains unusual "hole" in center; likely an obscuration by interstellar dust
M27	6853	Dumbbell Nebula	plan	Vulpecula	19h 59.6m	+22 43'	8x5.7'	1250	2	7.4	In interstellar void between us and next inner arm (Sagittarius), looking upstream A very impressive sight M27 is ring-shaped; we see it edge-on so it looks continuous No more than 4000 years old! Emission star is an extremely hot dwarf star, type O, mag 13.5
M28	6626	-	glob	Sagittarius	18h 24.5m	-24 52'	11.2'	18600	75	6.8	Likely located in the Scutum-Crux arm of Milky Way (inward beyond Sagittarius and even Centaurus), somewhat close to galactic core Smaller than nearby M22 Contains 18 variables Contains a millisecond pulsar, spinning at 90 times per second! M4 also contains such a pulsar.
M29	6913	-	open	Cygnus	20h 23.9m	+38 32'	7'	4000	11	7.1	Looks upstream within our own galactic arm (Orion) about one arm gap width Contains 50 stars; seven of which form the so-called "Stubby Dipper" Surrounded by so much interstellar matter that it would otherwise shine at magnitude 4!

M#	NGC #	Name	Object type	Location	RA	Decl	Ang dia	Distance (ly)	Size (ly)	App mag	Remarks
M30	7099	-	glob	Capricornus	21h 40.4m	-23 11'	11'	26100	75	7.2	Located upstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) but well below it; close to galactic core Contains 12 variables Approaching at 164 km/s Has undergone a core collapse Not among favorites of Messier marathoners due to southerly latitude
M31	224	Andromeda Galaxy	sgax	Andromeda	00h 42.7m	+41 16'	178 x 63'	2.9 million	200,000	3.4	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending in an outward direction from our arm and below it Easy to find, but not much detail in smaller scopes This is one of neighboring galaxies Twice the size of Milky Way This was thought to be a nearby nebula until 20th century Approaching at 266 km/s One supernova was observed in M31 in 1885 to 1890, reaching mag 6
M32	221	Satellite of Andromeda Galaxy	egax	Andromeda	00h 42.7m	+40 52'	8x6'	2.9 million	8000	8.1	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending in an outward direction from our arm and below it Adjacent to M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) Very small galaxy Extremely dense with 5000 suns per cubic parsec
M33	598	Triangulum Galaxy	sgax	Triangulum	01h 33.9m	+30 39'	73x45'	3 million	50,000	5.7	Located far beyond our galaxy along a line extending inward past galactic core and just below it A favorite About half the size of the Milky Way A gravitational companion of M31 (Andromeda Galaxy)
M34	1039	-	open	Perseus	2h 42.0m	+42 47'	35'	1400	14	5.5	Located on the outward side of our own galactic arm (Orion), slightly upstream Consists of 100 stars About 180 million years old
M35	2168	-	open	Gemini	6h 08.9m	+24 20'	28'	2800	24	5.3	Located along outer periphery of our own galactic arm, slightly downstream Consists of over 200 stars Approaching at 5 km/s
M36	1960	-	open	Auriga	5h 36.1m	+34 08'	12'	4100	14	6.3	Located on inner periphery of next outer galactic arm (Perseus), slightly downstream Consists of 60 stars Only 25 million years old; no red giants Would be similar to Pleiades if it was 10 times closer
M37	2099	-	open	Auriga	5h 52.4m	+32 33'	24'	4400	20	6.2	Located on inner periphery of next outer galactic arm (Perseus), slightly downstream Regarded as a favorite About 500 stars; 12 are red giants About 300 million years old
M38	1912	-	open	Auriga	5h 28.4m	+35 50'	21'	4200	25	7.4	Located on inner periphery of next outer galactic arm (Perseus), slightly downstream Forms a pattern resembling the Greek letter pi
M39	7092	-	open	Cygnus	21h 32.2m	+48 26'	32'	825	7	4.6	Located in our own galactic arm (Orion) a short distance upstream Very close Messier object containing 30 stars About 230 million years old Approaching at 28 km/s

M#	NGC #	Name	Object type	Location	RA	Decl	Ang dia	Distance (ly)	Size (ly)	App mag	Remarks
M40	WNC 4	Winnecke 4	doub	Ursa Major	12h 22.4m	+58 05'	0.8'	510	?	8.4	Located in our own galactic arm (Orion), outward, upstream, and above Two stars are of visual magnitudes 9.0 and 9.3 About 125 million years old
M41	2287	-	open	Canis Major	6h 46.0m	-20 44'	38'	2300	25	4.6	Located in our own galactic arm (Orion), downstream a short distance Near Sirius; contains about 100 stars; some are red giants About 200 million years old Receding at 34 km/s
M42	1976	Orion Nebula	diff	Orion	5h 35.4m	-5 27'	85x60'	1600	32	4.0	Located on outer periphery of our own galactic arm (Orion) somewhat downstream By far the largest, richest object to be seen in northern hemisphere; perhaps the most favorite of all Part of the Great Orion Nebula, spanning over 10 deg of sky
M43	1982	De Mairan's Nebula Part of Orion Nebula	diff	Orion	5h 35.6m	-5 16'	20x15'	1600	8	9.0	Located on outer periphery of our own galactic arm (Orion) somewhat downstream Part of Great Orion Nebula, spanning over 10 deg of sky Excited by star NU Orionis, type B.
M44	2632	Beehive Cluster Praesepe	open	Cancer	08h 40.1m	+19 59'	95'	577	12	3.7	Located within our own galactic arm (Orion) downstream and in upper portion Easily visible to the naked eye Contains 350 stars
M45	-	Pleiades	open	Taurus	3h 47.0m	+24 07'	110'	380	8	1.6	Located in our own galactic arm (Orion) looking outward, downstream, and upward Consists of 500 stars; 9 of which are exceptionally bright Seven brightest stars are named for seven daughters of Atlas and Pleione: Alcyone, Asterope, Electra, Maia, Merope, Taygeta, and Celaeno Using Big Dipper shape, handle star is Atlas; then going along top to pouring side to bottom, stars are Alcyone, Maia, Electra, and Merope Known to Japanese as Subaru; thus the auto manufacturer's logo In proximity to a bluish reflection nebula, closest to Merope
M46	2437	-	open	Puppis	7h 41.8m	-14 49'	27'	5400	30	6.0	Looks far downstream along our own galactic arm (Orion) about the distance of one arm gap Consists of 500 stars; 150 of them brighter than mag 13 Age is about 300 million years Contains a small planetary nebula which is not associated with the cluster; much closer at only 2900 ly
M47	2422	-	open	Puppis	7h 36.6m	-14 30'	30'	1600	12	5.2	Looks downstream along our own galactic arm (Orion) about the distance of one arm gap Contains about 50 stars; 2 of which are orange giants About 78 million years old
M48	2548	-	open	Hydra	8h 13.8m	-5 48'	54'	1500	23	5.5	Located downstream along our galactic arm (Orion) and in upper portions Contains 80 stars; 3 are yellow giants About 300 million years old
M49	4472	-	egax	Virgo	12h 29.8m	+8 00'	9x7.5'	60 million	160,000	8.4	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending downstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) and far upward About 20 times further away than M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) A supernova was believed to occur in this galaxy in 1969

M#	NGC #	Name	Object type	Location	RA	Decl	Ang dia	Distance (ly)	Size (ly)	App mag	Remarks
M50	2323	-	open	Monoceros	7h 03.2m	-8 20'	16'	3000	9	6.3	Located downstream along outer portion of our own galactic arm (Orion) Consists of 200 stars; one is a red giant which stands out About 78 million years old
M51	5194	Whirlpool Galaxy	sgax	Canes Venatici	13h 29.9m	+47 12'	11x7'	37 million	100,000	8.4	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending outward from galactic core, slightly upstream and far upward About 12 times further away than M31 (Andromeda), but halfway closer than M49 Nice face-on spiral galaxy; one of only ones that have spirals that can be seen in medium scopes Nearby "nebular" galaxy is considered M51B or NGC 5195; much of larger galaxy's spiral pattern is caused by interaction with it A supernova occurred in M51 in 1994 Part of M51 group, which includes M63
M52	7654	-	open	Cassiopeia	23h 24.2m	+61 35'	13'	5000	19	7.3	Located on outer periphery of our own galactic arm (Orion) somewhat upstream from us Consists of about 193 stars Star density is near 3 per cubic parsec Light is severely attenuated by interstellar dust
M53	5024	-	glob	Coma Berenices	13h 12.9m	+18 10'	12.6'	59700	250	7.6	Located directly upward from galactic disc about one galactic radius distant Very distant and just about as far from Milky Way center Stars are thought to be mostly devoid of metals, consisting mostly of hydrogen and helium Approaching at 112 km/s
M54	6715	-	glob	Sagittarius	18h 55.1m	-30 29'	9.1'	88700	200	7.6	Very bizarre -- looks near galactic core, through far side of galaxy, and past it! An extragalactic globular cluster! Part of Sagittarius Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy; 30 times closer than M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) Originally thought to be about twice as close and part of Milky Way Receding at 130 km/s
M55	6809	-	glob	Sagittarius	19h 40.0m	-30 58'	19'	17600	100	6.3	Probably located in Scutum-Crux arm of galaxy, which is the third innermost one from us, near galactic core Contains only 6 variable stars Looks somewhat like a star cluster
M56	6779	-	glob	Lyra	19h 16.6m	+30 11'	7.1'	32900	60	8.3	Located in another arm on far side of galaxy, along a line directly upstream along our own Orion arm, slightly upward Contains only 12 variable stars Approaching at 145 km/s
M57	6720	Ring Nebula	plan	Lyra	18h 53.6m	+33 02'	1.4x1'	2300	2.4	8.8	Located upstream along our own Orion arm in upper periphery Considered to be one of the best planetary nebulas, but it's rather tiny Consensus is that it is a torus or cylinder and not a sphere Composed of H, He, O, N, Ne, S, Ar, and Cl Usually appears green even in small scopes Approaching at 21 km/s Central star is a 15 mag white dwarf
M58	4579	-	sgax	Virgo	12h 37.7m	+11 49'	5.5x4.5'	60 million	100,000	9.7	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending downstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) and far upward M58 is a barred spiral Supernova have appeared in 1988 and 1989 Part of row of galaxies: M58, M59, and M60
M59	4621	-	egax	Virgo	12h 42.0m	+11 39'	5x3.5'	60 million	90,000	9.6	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending downstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) and far upward Over 30 times the distance to M31 (Andromeda) Has about 2000 globular clusters, much more than the Milky Way A single object close to M60 and its companion NGC 4647 Part of row of galaxies: M58, M59, and M60

M#	NGC #	Name	Object type	Location	RA	Decl	Ang dia	Distance (ly)	Size (ly)	App mag	Remarks
M60	4649	-	egax	Virgo	12h 43.7m	+11 33'	7x6'	60 million	120,000	8.8	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending downstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) and far upward Extremely luminous, with the output of 60 billion suns Has a companion, NGC 4647 Part of row of galaxies: M58, M59, and M60
M61	4303	-	sgax	Virgo	12h 21.9m	+4 28'	6x5.5'	60 million	100,000	9.7	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending downstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) and far upward About the same size as the Milky Way Supernova have occurred in 1926, 1961, 1964, and 1999
M62	6266	-	glob	Ophiuchus	17h 01.2m	-30 07'	14.1'	22500	250	6.5	Located upstream along Sagittarius arm (next inner one) some distance, approaching galactic core Only 6100 ly from Milky Way center and is deformed by gravity forces Contains 89 variable stars May have undergone a core collapse
M63	5055	Sunflower Galaxy	sgax	Canes Venatici	13h 15.8m	+42 02'	10x6'	37 million	120,000	8.6	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending outward from galactic core, slightly upstream and far upward Part of M51 group A supernova occurred in 1971
M64	4826	Black Eye Galaxy Sleeping Beauty Galaxy	sgax	Coma Berenices	12h 56.7m	+21 41'	9.3x5.4'	19 million	51,000	8.5	Located directly upward from galactic disc; this galaxy gets a good broadside view of the Milky Way galaxy Bright galaxy contains significant, dark dust feature Dust can be seen in 4-inch scopes Receding at 377 km/s No supernova have been observed
M65	3623	part of Leo Triplet	sgax	Leo	11h 18.9m	+13 05'	8x1.5'	35 million	90,000	9.3	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending down our Orion arm, outward, and upward Part of Leo Triplet: M65, M66, and NGC 3628, which are more of a visual than physical group
M66	3627	part of Leo Triplet	sgax	Leo	11h 20.2m	+12 59'	8x2.5'	35 million	90,000	8.9	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending down our Orion arm, outward, and upward Part of Leo Triplet: M65, M66, and NGC 3628, which are more of a visual than physical group Arms are somewhat deformed due to interactions with other galaxies Supernova were observed in 1973, 1989, and 1997
M67	2682	-	open	Cancer	8h 50.4m	+11 49'	30'	2700	80	6.1	Probably located on upper outer periphery of our own galactic arm (Orion) somewhat downstream from us About 500 stars, nearly 200 of which are white dwarfs A very old cluster; 4 billion years old!
M68	4590	-	glob	Hydra	12h 39.5m	-26 45'	12'	33000	140	7.8	Probably located very far downstream along our own galactic arm (Orion); almost in another quadrant of galaxy altogether Contains thousands of stars; averaging spectral type A Approaching at 112 km/s
M69	6637	-	glob	Sagittarius	18h 31.4m	-32 21'	7.1'	28000	55	7.6	Located very close to Milky Way galactic core Since it's near galactic core, it's subject to strong gravitational forces Contains only 8 variable stars Highly rich in metals for a globular cluster Near Milky Way center and subject to strong gravitational forces

M#	NGC #	Name	Object type	Location	RA	Decl	Ang dia	Distance (ly)	Size (ly)	App mag	Remarks
M70	6681	-	glob	Sagittarius	18h 43.2m	-32 18'	7.8'	29400	60	7.9	Located very close to Milky Way galactic core Since it's near galactic core, it's subject to strong gravitational forces Has undergone a core collapse Comet Hale-Bopp was discovered while Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp were observing M70 in 1995
M71	6838	-	glob	Sagitta	19h 53.8m	+18 47'	7.2'	12700	25	8.2	Located upstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) Approaching at 23 km/s though figures are somewhat unreliable Metallicity is very high for a globular cluster
M72	6981	-	glob	Aquarius	20h 53.5m	-12 32'	5.9'	55400	92	9.3	Located on far side of galaxy to right of core and far below Approaching at 255 km/s
M73	6994	-	astr	Aquarius	20h 58.9m	-12 38'	2.8'	2000	2.5	9.0	Located in extreme lower periphery of our own galactic arm (Orion) close to us Consists of four stars Not clear whether M73 stars are physically related; there is some thought that they are a mini-cluster
M74	628	-	sgax	Pisces	1h 36.7m	+15 47'	10.2x9.5'	35 million	95,000	9.4	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending along outward galactic radial from us and far below Can be difficult to pick out details Not among favorites of Messier marathoners
M75	6864	-	glob	Sagittarius	20h 06.1m	-21 55'	6'	61300	90	8.5	Located beyond far side of galaxy; we see it through the core region Very remote globular cluster; perhaps the furthest Only large scopes can pick out the individual stars
M76	650	Little Dumbbell Nebula	plan	Perseus	1h 42.4m	+51 34'	2.7x1.8'	3500	11	10.1	Located in void halfway to next outer galactic arm (Perseus), which we see broadside near M76 Tends to resemble M27 (Dumbbell Nebula) Distance is ambiguous and may be anywhere from 1500 to 15000 ly Central star is mag 16.6 and temperature 60000K
M77	1068	Cetus A	sgax	Cetus	2h 42.7m	-0 01'	7x6'	60 million	150,000	8.9	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending far downward and outward away from galactic core Core appears to be extremely energetic, producing very strong radio emissions Core may be made up of 10 million solar masses Core has been compared to a miniature quasar Receding at 1100 km/s
M78	2068	-	diff	Orion	5h 46.7m	+0 03'	8x6'	1600	4	8.3	Located on outer periphery of our own galactic arm (Orion) somewhat downstream Occurs in reflected light among about 45 low mass stars M78 is the brightest diffuse reflection nebula Adjacent to NGC 2071, NGC 2067, and NGC 2064
M79	1904	-	glob	Lepus	5h 24.5m	-24 33'	8.7'	42100	100	7.7	Almost opposite Milky Way center, beyond Perseus arm and in outermost regions of galaxy

M#	NGC #	Name	Object type	Location	RA	Decl	Ang dia	Distance (ly)	Size (ly)	App mag	Remarks
M80	6093	-	glob	Scorpius	16h 17.0m	-22 59'	8.9'	32000	86	7.3	Located within far side of galaxy just to left of galactic core Comprised of nearly half a million stars Contains numerous "blue stragglers", very hot stars produced by interactions with other stars in this dense cluster Nova occurred in 1860 at mag 7.0
M81	3031	Bode's Galaxy	sgax	Ursa Major	9h 55.6m	+69 04'	21x10'	12 million	150,000	6.9	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending outward, slightly upstream, and far above Part of the M81 group of galaxies M81 severely deformed M82 gravitationally about 100 million years ago M81 and M82 are only 150,000 ly apart Thought to have a relatively low amount of interstellar matter A supernova occurred in 1993
M82	3034	Cigar Galaxy	igax	Ursa Major	9h 55.8m	+69 41'	9x4'	12 million	60,000	8.4	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending outward, slightly upstream, and far above Part of the M81 group of galaxies In infrared light it's the brightest galaxy in the sky M81 severely deformed M82 gravitationally about 100 million years ago; this is responsible for dark wisps and radio emissions M81 and M82 are only 150,000 ly apart
M83	5236	Southern Pinwheel	sgax	Hydra	13h 37.0m	-29 52'	11x10'	15 million	80,000	7.6	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending downstream along our own arm (Orion) and upward Almost a barred spiral galaxy Part of group containing peculiar radio galaxy Centauras A (NGC 5128) and unusual galaxy NGC 5253 Supernova have been observed almost once every decade, tying a record with NGC 6946 for most activity in a galaxy
M84	4374	-	lgax	Virgo	12h 25.1m	+12 53'	5'	60 million	120,000	9.1	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending downstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) and far upward Appears to contain a mini-quasar core containing 300 million solar masses and producing unusual radio activity Produced supernova in 1957, 1980, and 1991 Receding at 700 km/s together with M84, with which it may be a pair The edges of M86 and M84 almost overlap Part of dozens of other galaxies in the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, comprised of M84, M85, M86, M87, NGC's 4388, 4387, 4402, 4413, 4425, 4435, and 4438
M85	4382	-	lgax	Coma Berenices	12h 25.4m	+18 11'	7.1x5.2'	60 million	125,000	9.1	Located directly upward from galactic disc; this galaxy gets a good broadside view of the Milky Way galaxy Made up mostly of old yellow stars Receding at 700 km/s together with M84, with which it may be a pair Contains a foreground star which feigns to be a supernova Part of dozens of other galaxies in the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, comprised of M84, M85, M86, M87, NGC's 4388, 4387, 4402, 4413, 4425, 4435, and 4438
M86	4406	-	lgax	Virgo	12h 26.2m	+12 57'	7.5x5.5'	60 million	125,000	8.9	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending downstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) and far upward The fastest approaching velocity of all Messier galaxies at 419 km/s The edges of M86 and M84 almost overlap Near flattened edge-on view of spiral galaxy NGC 4402 Part of dozens of other galaxies in the Virgo Cluster of galaxies, comprised of M84, M85, M86, M87, NGC's 4388, 4387, 4402, 4413, 4425, 4435, and 4438
M87	4486	Virgo A	egax	Virgo	12h 30.8m	+12 24'	7'	60 million	120,000	8.6	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending downstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) and far upward Has much more mass than Milky Way (several trillion solar masses) Extremely luminous: absolute magnitude -22 Contains at least several thousand globular clusters Hubble imagery shows a jet emitting from a supermassive core measuring 2-3 billion solar masses within a 60 ly radius! Brightest of dozens of other galaxies in the Virgo Cluster, comprised of M84, M85, M86, M87, NGC's 4388, 4387, 4402, 4413, 4425, 4435, and 4438
M88	4501	-	sgax	Coma Berenices	12h 32.0m	+14 25'	7x4'	60 million	130,000	9.6	Located directly upward from galactic disc; this galaxy gets a good broadside view of the Milky Way galaxy Looks somewhat like M31 (Andromeda Galaxy) but is 20 times distant Receding at 2000 km/s Supernova was seen in 1999 reaching mag 13.6
M89	4552	-	egax	Virgo	12h 35.7m	+12 33'	4'	60 million	80,000	9.8	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending downstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) and far upward Contains a faint envelope extending 150,000 ly from center

M#	NGC #	Name	Object type	Location	RA	Decl	Ang dia	Distance (ly)	Size (ly)	App mag	Remarks
M90	4569	-	sgax	Virgo	12h 36.8m	+13 10'	9.5x4.5'	60 million	150,000	9.5	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending downstream along next inner galactic arm (Sagittarius) and far upward Thought to be a low-density galaxy Approaching at 383 km/s
M91	4548	-	sgax	Coma Berenices	12h 35.4m	+14 30'	5.4x4.4'	60 million	100,000	10.2	Located directly upward from galactic disc; this galaxy gets a good broadside view of the Milky Way galaxy Barred spiral galaxy Receding at 400 km/s
M92	6341	-	glob	Hercules	17h 17.1m	+43 08'	11.2'	26700	85	6.4	Located far above Milky Way galaxy upstream arms before they curve around the galactic core Has a mass of 330,000 suns Approaching at 112 km/s This will become a faint "north star" for Earth in 14,000 A.D.
M93	2447	-	open	Puppis	7h 44.6m	-23 52'	22'	3600	25	6.0	Located downstream along our own galactic arm (Orion) Said to look like a triangle, a fish, or a butterfly Brightest stars are hot B-type stars 100 million years old
M94	4736	-	sgax	Canes Venatici	12h 50.9m	+41 07'	7x3'	15 million	35,000	8.2	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending outward from galactic core, slightly upstream and far upward Dense, disklike spiral galaxy Contains two separate rings of new star activity, which is rare Estimates of distance vary from 14 million to 33 million ly
M95	3351	-	sgax	Leo	10h 44.0m	+11 42'	4.4x3.3'	38 million	50,000	9.7	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending down our Orion arm, outward, and upward Barred spiral galaxy Used by Hubble Space Telescope to determine Hubble constant
M96	3368	-	sgax	Leo	10h 46.8m	+11 49'	6x4'	38 million	65,000	9.2	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending down our Orion arm, outward, and upward Brightest of Leo I galaxies (M96 group)
M97	3587	Owl Nebula	plan	Ursa Major	11h 14.8m	+55 01'	3.4x3.3'	2600	0.5	9.9	Located in our own galactic arm (Orion), outward, upstream, and above One of smaller and fainter Messier objects (only 0.5 ly wide) Only about 6000 years old Mass is 0.15 solar masses, with emitting 16 mag star only 0.7 solar masses Comprised of cylindrical torus; eyes correspond to poles
M98	4192	-	sgax	Coma Berenices	12h 13.8m	+14 54'	9.5x3.2'	60 million	180,000	10.1	Located directly upward from galactic disc; this galaxy gets a good broadside view of the Milky Way galaxy Rather large spiral galaxy but faint Approaching at 125 km/s
M99	4254	-	sgax	Coma Berenices	12h 18.8m	+14 25'	5.4x4.8'	60 million	120,000	9.9	Located directly upward from galactic disc; this galaxy gets a good broadside view of the Milky Way galaxy Unusually assymetric Highest recession speed of any Messier object: 2300 km/s Three supernova have been observed: 1967, 1972, and 1986

M#	NGC #	Name	Object type	Location	RA	Decl	Ang dia	Distance (ly)	Size (ly)	App mag	Remarks
M100	4321	-	sgax	Coma Berineces	12h 22.9m	+15 49'	7x6'	56 million	150,000	9.3	Located directly upward from galactic disc; this galaxy gets a good broadside view of the Milky Way galaxy Classic spiral galaxy; contains two bright arms with young blue stars
M101	5457	Pinwheel Galaxy	sgax	Ursa Major	14h 03.2m	+54 21'	22'	24 million	170,000	7.9	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending outward, slightly upstream, and far above One of the largest galaxies known Supernova were recorded in 1909, 1951, and 1970, the latter of which reached mag 11.5 Part of a group of 9 galaxies: M101, NGCs 5447, 5449, 5450, 5451, 5453, 5455, 5458, 5461, 5462, and 5471
M102	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	No M102 officially exists; it is thought that this object may be NGC 5866, a lenticular galaxy in Draco
M103	581	-	open	Cassiopeia	1h 33.2m	+60 42'	6'	8500	15	7.4	Located on far periphery of next outer galactic arm (Perseus) slightly upstream Contains 40 stars; the brightest two of which are type-B giants and one being a red giant Better resolved in binoculars rather than telescopes
M104	4594	Sombrero Galaxy	sgax	Virgo	12h 40.0m	-11 37'	9x4'	50 million	180,000	8.0	Located on outer periphery of our own galactic arm (Orion) somewhat upstream from us Surrounded by large ring of interstellar dust Contains hundreds of globular clusters Receding at 1000 km/s
M105	3379	-	egax	Leo	10h 47.8m	+12 35'	2'	38 million	100,000	9.3	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending down our Orion arm, outward, and upward Brightest galaxy in the Leo (M96) galaxy group Massive central object of 50 million solar masses Receding at 1100 km/s
M106	4258	-	sgax	Canes Venatici	12h 19.0m	+47 18'	19x8'	25 million	250,000	8.4	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending outward from galactic core, slightly upstream and far upward Contains very dense central object of 35 million solar masses in the space of only 0.08 ly Emits more radio energy than light Receding at 540 km/s
M107	6171	-	glob	Ophiuchus	16h 32.5m	-13 03'	10'	21000	60	7.9	Located far upstream along galactic arms into far quadrant of galaxy Contains dark interstellar matter, which is uncommon for globular clusters Contains 25 variables Approaching at 147 km/s
M108	3556	-	sgax	Ursa Major	11h 11.5m	+55 40'	8x1'	45 million	180,000	10.0	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending outward, slightly upstream, and far above Appears nearly edge-on Obscured liberally by interstellar dust Supernova occurred in 1969, mag 13.9
M109	3992	-	sgax	Ursa Major	11h 57.6m	+53 23'	7x4'	55 million	200,000	9.8	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending outward, slightly upstream, and far above Barred spiral galaxy Supernova occurred in 1956 reaching 12.5 mag Receding at 1142 km/s
M110	205	Andromeda Galaxy Sat.	egax	Andromeda	0h 40.4m	+41 41'	17x10'	2.9 million	20,000	8.5	Located far outside our galaxy along a line extending in an outward direction from our arm and below it Contains unusual dark obscurations from dust Ranges somewhere around 10 billion solar masses Contains 8 globular clusters
-	7293	Helix Nebula	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Among the best planetary nebula; fainter than Ring Nebula but larger A good favorite
-	-	Rosette Nebula	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Among the best planetary nebula; fainter than Ring Nebula but larger
-	-	Trumpler 1	-	Cassiopeia	-	-	-	7000	-	-	Within Perseus Arm About 10 stars in V shape are thought to be extremely bright because of their distance
-	253	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Better from southern hemisphere
-	1023	-	-	Perseus	-	-	-	-	-	-	Bright core, very complex, great to peruse
-	4565	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Nice edge-on galaxy
-	7027	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Among the best planetary nebula; fainter than Ring Nebula but larger
-	7789	-	open	Cassiopeia	-	-	30'	-	-	9.6	About 200 stars 40x marginal, 75x good A favorite Found only as late as 1975

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