One of the original catalogs of astronomical objects,  the “Catalogue des Nébuleuses et des Amas d’Étoiles” (“Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters”) was first published in 1771 by Charles Messier and through common  usage the name has since been simplified to The Messier Catalog.

Messier was a comet hunter, as were most astronomers of the day, therefore the original purpose of his Catalog was to document those objects in the night sky which had already been investigated and ruled out as comets, so that he and his assistants would not waste time revisiting the same objects again and again.

The original publication of the Catalog comprised 45 objects.  Subsequent publications increased the number of listed objects with Messier’s final list sitting at 103, though entry M102 was a mistake leaving the verified list as 102 objects.  Following Messier’s death, reviews of the notes made by Messier and his assistant Piere Mechain led to the additional objects being included in the catalog bringing the total to 110 astronomical objects in the final list published in 1966.

While more extensive catalogs have since been developed, including many objects not visible from Messier’s location, the Messier Catalog is still one of the most widely know lists as it contains many of the objects most easily found by new amateur astronomers and therefore many objects are still referred to by it’s Messier Number (eg M42 – The Orion Nebula).

One of my goals in taking up astrophotography, as it has been for many before me, is to eventually image all Messier Catalog objects in as fine detail as I am able to manage.  While I wont be restricting myself purely to the list – there are many fine Southern targets which are not on the list – it will be an achievement if I manage to accomplish this.  I also assume that it is likely a never ending process with objects to be revisited as my equipment and skill levels improve.

The following is the full list of Messier Objects.  As I do manage to image objects I will link to the respective information and images.