Messier Catalog

🔽 Description

The Messier Catalog dates to the 18th century when French astronomer Charles Messier set out to create a "Catalog of Nebulae and Star Clusters." Interestingly enough, his motivation wasn't to discover deep sky objects. Charles was a devoted comet hunter and wanted to be sure other astronomers didn't waste their time on these "distractions." The catalog features 110 objects ranging from nebulae, galaxies, and star clusters to rich star fields and asterisms. My goal is to observe every target in the catalog. Use this grid to explore the catalog. Click colum headings to sort. The season is the best time of year to observe the target and the difficulty describes how easy targets are to view with binoculars.

 

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Target Name Type Constellation R.A. Dec. Mag. Size Distance Season Difficulty
M1
To start the new year, I imaged the first item in the Messier catalog on the first day of the year. Coincidentally, M1 was the first deep space object and nebula I photographed. This is a stack of several nights of 5-minute exposures that sum to just over seven hours of integration time.
NGC 1952 Crab Nebula
Supernova Remnant Taurus 5h 34.5m 22°1  8.4  6.0x4.0 6,300 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟡  Moderate
M2
NGC 7089
Globular Cluster Aquarius 21h 33.5m -0°49  6.5  12.9 37,500 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🟢  Easy
M3
A night of exposures with Stellina.
NGC 5272
Globular Cluster Canes Venatici 13h 42.2m 28°23  6.2  16.2 33,900 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟢  Easy
M4
I took advantage of low horizons in a dark site to capture this close-up of the elusive Rho Ophiuchi system with bright yellow Antares, purple-bluish Alniya and the M4 and NGC6144 clusters.
NGC 6121
Globular Cluster Scorpius 16h 23.6m -26°32  5.6  26.3 7,200 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🔴  Hard
M5
'My friend, I don't always photograph stars, but when I do, I prefer globular clusters.' M5 is a top favorite of mine (M13 holds the #1 spot) and I was excited to image it at 1650mm focal length. You can count the stars! (When William Herschel did it in 1791, he counted 200).
NGC 5904
Globular Cluster Serpens Caput 15h 18.6m 2°5  5.6  17.4 24,500 L.Y. ☀  Summer ✅  Very Easy
M6
❌
NGC 6405 Butterfly Cluster
Open Cluster Scorpius 17h 40.1m -32°13  5.3  25 2,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M7
❌
NGC 6475 Ptolemy's Cluster
Open Cluster Scorpius 17h 53.9m -34°49  4.1  80 800 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M8
This large, bright and beautiful nebula stays low on the horizon in the Pacific Northwest, making it a challenging target to observe.
NGC 6523 Lagoon Nebula
Diffuse Nebula Sagittarius 18h 3.8m -24°23  6  90x40 5,200 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M9
❌
NGC 6333
Globular Cluster Ophiucus 17h 19.2m -18°31  7.7  9.3 26,700 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M10
This cluster spans just over 80 light years in diameter at a distance of 14,300 light years.
NGC 6254
Globular Cluster Ophiucus 16h 57.1m -4°6  6.6  15.1 14,400 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M11
An open cluster of stars discovered in 1681.
NGC 6705 Wild Duck Cluster
Open Cluster Scutum 18h 51.1m -6°16  6.3  14 6,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer ✅  Very Easy
M12
A cluster that is distinct for its abundance of apparently low-mass stars.
NGC 6218
Globular Cluster Ophiucus 16h 47.2m -1°57  6.7  14.5 16,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M13
This cluster, just barely visible to the naked eye, contains several hundred thousand stars in its diameter of 145 light years.
NGC 6205 Hercules Globular Cluster
Globular Cluster Hercules 16h 41.7m 36°28  5.8  16.6 22,800 L.Y. ☀  Summer ✅  Very Easy
M14
❌
NGC 6402
Globular Cluster Ophiucus 17h 37.6m -3°15  7.6  11.7 27,400 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M15
An estimated age of over 12 billion years makes M15 the oldest known globular cluster. This massive grouping of stars is collapsing under its own gravitation pull, drawing the stars in towards a possible black hole in its core.
NGC 7078
Globular Cluster Pegasus 21h 30m 12°10  6.2  12.3 33,600 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🟢  Easy
M16
M16 is called the Eagle Nebula due to its overall shape, but it's the smoky columns that span lightyears in height that make it famous. The columns are called the Pillars of Creation.
NGC 6611 Eagle Nebula Cluster
Open Cluster Serpens Claudia 18h 18.8m -13°47  6.4  7 7,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M17
A nebula with many names, the swan, lobster or horseshoe nebula is a bright object that is easy to capture.
NGC 6618 Omega, Swan, Horseshoe Nebula
Diffuse Nebula Sagittarius 18h 20.8m -16°11  7  11 5,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M18
❌
NGC 6613
Open Cluster Sagittarius 18h 19.9m -17°8  7.5  9 4,900 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M19
❌
NGC 6273
Globular Cluster Ophiucus 17h 2.6m -26°16  6.8  13.5 27,100 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M20
This is a specially framed capture to grab two Messier objects, one of which is a cluster, reflection nebula, emission nebula, and dark nebula all at the same time.
NGC 6514 Trifid Nebula
Diffuse Nebula Sagittarius 18h 2.3m -23°2  9  28 5,200 L.Y. ☀  Summer ⛔  Very Hard
M21
This is a specially framed capture to grab two Messier objects, one of which is a cluster, reflection nebula, emission nebula, and dark nebula all at the same time.
NGC 6531 Webb's Cross
Open Cluster Sagittarius 18h 4.6m -22°30  6.5  13 4,250 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M22
❌
NGC 6656
Globular Cluster Sagittarius 18h 36.4m -23°54  5.1  24 10,100 L.Y. ☀  Summer ✅  Very Easy
M23
❌
NGC 6494
Open Cluster Sagittarius 17h 56.8m -19°1  6.9  27 2,150 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M24
M24 is a Messier object that isn't a deep space target, but instead describes a region of the sky so dense with stars it forms a cloud named the Small Sagittarius Cloud.
NGC 6603 Milky Way Patch
Star Cloud Sagittarius 18h 18.4m -18°25  4.6  90 10,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M25
❌
IC 4725
Open Cluster Sagittarius 18h 31.7m -19°14  6.5  40 2,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M26
❌
NGC 6694
Open Cluster Scutum 18h 45.2m -9°24  8  15 5,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M27
This bright nebula visible in binoculars is a planetary nebula surrounding a white dwarf star.
NGC 6853 Dumbbell Nebula
Planetary Nebula Vulpecula 19h 59.6m 22°43  7.4  8.0x5.7 1,250 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M28
❌
NGC 6626
Globular Cluster Sagittarius 18h 24.5m -24°52  6.8  11.2 17,900 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M29
A bright open cluster of stars in the Cygnus constellation.
NGC 6913
Open Cluster Cygnus 20h 23.9m 38°32  7.1  7 4,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M30
❌
NGC 7099
Globular Cluster Capricornus 21h 40.4m -23°11  7.2  11 24,800 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🟢  Easy
M31
A detailed capture taken by composing multiple exposures and filters.
NGC 224 Andromeda Galaxy
Spiral Galaxy Andromeda 0h 42.7m 41°16  3.4  178x63 2,900,000 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🟢  Easy
M32
Just off the edge of the Andromeda Galaxy is one of two satellites orbiting the Milky Way's neighbor: M32, a dense cloud of stars that are classified as a dwarf, early-stage compact elliptical galaxy.
NGC 221 Satellite of M31
Elliptical Galaxy Andromeda 0h 42.7m 40°52  8.1  8x6 2,900,000 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🟢  Easy
M33
M33, the Triangulum Galaxy, is sometimes mistakenly referred to as the Pinwheel Galaxy (that title is held by M101). It is one of the few galaxies visible to the naked eye.
NGC 598 Triangulum/Pinwheel Galaxy
Spiral Galaxy Triangulum 1h 33.9m 30°39  5.7  73x45 3,000,000 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🔴  Hard
M34
❌
NGC 1039
Open Cluster Perseus 2h 42m 42°47  5.5  35 1,400 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🟢  Easy
M35
❌
NGC 2168
Open Cluster Gemini 6h 8.9m 24°20  5.3  28 2,800 L.Y. ❄  Winter ✅  Very Easy
M36
Like a cousin to the Seven Sisters, M36 is an open cluster of young, blue stars that is far more distant than the Pleiades. Called the Pinwheel Cluster, it is a region of contrast with neighboring red stars.
NGC 1960
Open Cluster Auriga 5h 36.1m 34°8  6.3  12 4,100 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M37
The 37th item in the Messier catalog is the open cluster NGC2099. It is visible in binoculars and shines at an apparent magnitude of 6.2. It resides in the constellation Auriga.
NGC 2099
Open Cluster Auriga 5h 52.4m 32°33  6.2  24 4,400 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M38
NGC 1912
Open Cluster Auriga 5h 28.7m 35°50  7.4  21 4,200 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M39
An open cluster in the Cygnus constellation with an apparent size larger than the moon, making it visible with binoculars.
NGC 7092
Open Cluster Cygnus 21h 32.2m 48°26  5.2  32 825 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🟢  Easy
M40
Charles Messier was looking for a nebula but found this double star instead. It is one of the few items in the catalog that isn't a galaxy, cluster, or nebula. He may have been searching for the two galaxies visible at the edge of this frame.
Winecke 4
Double Star Ursa Major 12h 22.2m 58°5  9.3  49 510 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟢  Easy
M41
❌
NGC 2287
Open Cluster Canis Major 6h 47m -20°44  4.6  38 2,300 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M42
It's a popular target, but it never gets old. Although I've visited the Great Orion Nebula (M42) and de Mairan's Nebula (M43) many times before, I believe this is my most detailed capture yet. The data is from two sessions with Stellina taken exactly one year apart on March 4th, 2021, and 2022. I sifted by hand through over 700 10-second captures to cull it down to around 560 of the 'cleanest', stacked it in AstroPixel Processor and processed it in PixInsight.
NGC 1976 Great Orion Nebula
Diffuse Nebula Orion 5h 35.4m -5°27  4  85x60 1,600 L.Y. ❄  Winter ✅  Very Easy
M43
The Orion constellation is easily recognizable by the bright red Betelgeuse 'shoulder', three stars to form the 'belt' and a sword tipped with a nebula visible to the naked eye.
NGC 1982 de Mairan's Nebula
Diffuse Nebula Orion 5h 35.6m -5°16  9  20x15 1,600 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M44
The 44th item in the Messier catalog is a bright, open cluster visible to the naked eye and one of the closest to the earth.
NGC 2632 Beehive Cluster (Praesepe)
Open Cluster Cancer 8h 40.1m 19°59  3.7  95 577 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M45
A long exposure reveals the wispy tendrils of nebulosity that surround the major stars in M45 like a cocoon.
Pleiades, Subaru, Seven Sisters
Open Cluster Taurus 3h 47m 24°7.2  1.6  110 380 L.Y. ❄  Winter ✅  Very Easy
M46
❌
NGC 2437
Open Cluster Puppis 7h 41.8m -14°49  6  27 5,400 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M47
M47 is an open cluster with around 500 stars.
NGC 2422
Open Cluster Puppis 7h 36.6m -14°30  5.2  30 1,600 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M48
❌
NGC 2548
Open Cluster Hydra 8h 13.8m -5°48  5.5  54 1,500 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M49
❌
NGC 4472
Elliptical Galaxy Virgo 12h 29.8m 8°0  8.4  9x7.5 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M50
❌
NGC 2323
Open Cluster Monocerus 7h 3.2m -8°20  6.3  16 3,000 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M51
A stellar example of a grand-design galaxy, the whirlpool is tugging on its distant companion, the yellow NGC5195, and the resulting tidal forces may be creating new stars.
NGC 5194 Whirlpool Galaxy
Spiral Galaxy Canes Venatici 13h 29.9m 47°12  8.4  11x7 37,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M52
This sprinkling of light and dark stars is an open cluster near Cassiopeia.
NGC 7654
Open Cluster Cassiopeia 23h 24.2m 61°35  7.3  13 5,000 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🟢  Easy
M53
M53 is a globular cluster that is about 58,000 lightyears from our solar system and nearly the same distance (60,000 lightyears) from our galaxy core.
NGC 5024
Globular Cluster Coma Berenices 13h 12.9m 18°10  7.6  12.6 56,400 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟢  Easy
M54
❌
NGC 6715
Globular Cluster Sagittarius 18h 55.1m -30°29  7.6  9.1 82,800 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M55
❌
NGC 6809
Globular Cluster Sagittarius 19h 40m -30°58  6.3  19 16,600 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🔴  Hard
M56
❌
NGC 6779
Globular Cluster Lyra 19h 16.6m 30°11  8.3  7.1 31,600 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M57
A star shed this ring of ionized gas as it collapsed into a white dwarf.
NGC 6720 Ring Nebula
Planetary Nebula Lyra 18h 53.6m 33°2  8.8  1.4x1 4,100 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M58
❌
NGC 4579
Spiral Galaxy Virgo 12h 37.7m 11°49  9.7  5.5x4.5 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M59
❌
NGC 4621
Elliptical Galaxy Virgo 12h 42m 11°39  9.6  5x3.5 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🔴  Hard
M60
❌
NGC 4649
Elliptical Galaxy Virgo 12h 43.7m 11°33  8.8  7x6 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M61
❌
NGC 4303
Spiral Galaxy Virgo 12h 21.9m 4°28  9.7  6x5.5 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🔴  Hard
M62
❌
NGC 6266
Globular Cluster Ophiucus 17h 1.2m -30°7  6.5  14.1 21,500 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M63
The Sunflower Galaxy is nearly 30 million light years away and home to an estimated 400 billion stars.
NGC 5055 Sunflower Galaxy
Spiral Galaxy Canes Venatici 13h 15.8m 42°2  8.6  10x6 37,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M64
This lonely galaxy is obscurred by a dark band of dust.
NGC 4826 Blackeye Galaxy
Spiral Galaxy Coma Berenices 12h 56.7m 21°41  8.5  9.3x5.4 19,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M65
A close up of two galaxies in the Leo Triplet.
NGC 3623
Spiral Galaxy Leo 11h 18.9m 13°5  9.3  8x1.5 35,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M66
A rare partnership of galaxies with lots of friends in the background.
NGC 3627
Spiral Galaxy Leo 11h 20.2m 12°59  8.9  8x2.5 35,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟢  Easy
M67
Galaxy season is coming. This is the Leo Triplet, also known as the M66 group, and includes M66, M67, and NGC3628. To the right edge is 'extra' galaxy NGC3593. This is a 336mm shot but I'll be zooming in over the coming clear nights. Happy Valentine's Day!
NGC 2682
Open Cluster Cancer 8h 50.4m 11°49  6.1  30 2,700 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M68
❌
NGC 4590
Globular Cluster Hydra 12h 39.5m -26°45  7.8  12 33,300 L.Y. 🌼  Spring ⛔  Very Hard
M69
❌
NGC 6637
Globular Cluster Sagittarius 18h 31.4m -32°21  7.6  7.1 26,700 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M70
❌
NGC 6681
Globular Cluster Sagittarius 18h 43.2m -32°18  7.9  7.8 28,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M71
In the constellation Sagitta lies a controversial group of stars that might be a dense open star cluster, or may be an unusually loose globular cluster. Either way it's home to 20,000, many of which shine a distinctive gold color.
NGC 6838
Globular Cluster Sagitta 19h 53.8m 18°47  8.3  7.2 11,700 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M72
❌
NGC 6981
Globular Cluster Aquarius 20h 53.5m -12°32  9.3  5.9 52,800 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M73
❌
NGC 6994 Group of 4 stars
Group/Asterism Aquarius 20h 59m -12°38  9  2.8 2,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🔴  Hard
M74
❌
NGC 628
Spiral Galaxy Pisces 1h 36.7m 15°47  9.4  10.2x9.5 35,000,000 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn ⛔  Very Hard
M75
❌
NGC 6864
Globular Cluster Sagittarius 20h 6.1m -21°55  8.5  6 57,700 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟡  Moderate
M76
❌
NGC 650 Little Dumbell, Cork, Butterfly Nebula
Planetary Nebula Perseus 1h 42.3m 51°34  10.1  2.7x1.8 3,400 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🟡  Moderate
M77
❌
NGC 1068 Cetus A
Spiral Galaxy Cetus 2h 42.7m 0°1  8.9  7x6 60,000,000 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🟡  Moderate
M78
The constellation Orion hosts some of the most famous and recognizable nebulae from its namesake to the Running Man, Horsehead, and Flame. Look a little west and you'll find Messier catalog item #78, a lesser known reflection nebula that surrounds a stellar nursery and is blanketed by interstellar dust.
NGC 2068
Diffuse Nebula Orion 5h 46.7m 0°3  8.3  8x6 1,600 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟡  Moderate
M79
❌
NGC 1904
Globular Cluster Lepus 5h 24.5m -24°33  7.7  8.7 41,100 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟡  Moderate
M80
❌
NGC 6093
Globular Cluster Scorpius 16h 17m -22°59  7.3  8.9 27,400 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M81
A look at Bode's Galaxy (M81) that celebrates the colorful stars and nebulae in and surrounding this grand design spiral galaxy.
NGC 3031 Bode's Galaxy
Spiral Galaxy Ursa Major 9h 55.6m 69°4  6.9  21x10 12,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟢  Easy
M82
M82 is a starburst galaxy that contains one of the brightest pulsars known.
NGC 3034 Cigar Galaxy
Irregular Galaxy Ursa Major 9h 55.8m 69°41  8.4  9.x4 12,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟢  Easy
M83
❌
NGC 5236 Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
Spiral Galaxy Hydra 13h 37m -29°52  7.6  11x10 15,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🔴  Hard
M84
A great target to kick off galaxy season. The main galaxy is unique with a massive plume of plasma ejecting from its core, while the neighbors are a catalog of spiral galaxy viewing angles.
NGC 4374
Lenticular (S0) Galaxy Virgo 12h 25.1m 12°53  9.1  5 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M85
❌
NGC 4382
Lenticular (S0) Galaxy Coma Berenices 12h 25.4m 18°11  9.1  7.1x5.2 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M86
A great target to kick off galaxy season. The main galaxy is unique with a massive plume of plasma ejecting from its core, while the neighbors are a catalog of spiral galaxy viewing angles.
NGC 4406
Lenticular (S0) Galaxy Virgo 12h 26.2m 12°57  8.9  7.5x5.5 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M87
A great target to kick off galaxy season. The main galaxy is unique with a massive plume of plasma ejecting from its core, while the neighbors are a catalog of spiral galaxy viewing angles.
NGC 4486 Virgo A
Elliptical Galaxy Virgo 12h 30.8m 12°24  8.6  7 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M88
❌
NGC 4501
Spiral Galaxy Coma Berenices 12h 32m 14°25  9.6  7x4 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M89
A great target to kick off galaxy season. The main galaxy is unique with a massive plume of plasma ejecting from its core, while the neighbors are a catalog of spiral galaxy viewing angles.
NGC 4552
Elliptical Galaxy Virgo 12h 35.7m 12°33  9.8  4 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M90
A great target to kick off galaxy season. The main galaxy is unique with a massive plume of plasma ejecting from its core, while the neighbors are a catalog of spiral galaxy viewing angles.
NGC 4569
Spiral Galaxy Virgo 12h 36.8m 13°10  9.5  9.5x4.5 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🔴  Hard
M91
❌
NGC 4548
Spiral Galaxy Coma Berenices 12h 35.4m 14°30  10.2  5.4x4.4 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring ⛔  Very Hard
M92
A glubular cluster in Hercules.
NGC 6341
Globular Cluster Hercules 17h 17.1m 43°8  6.4  11.2 26,400 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🟢  Easy
M93
❌
NGC 2447
Open Cluster Puppis 7h 44.6m -23°52  6  22 3,600 L.Y. ❄  Winter 🟢  Easy
M94
❌
NGC 4736
Spiral Galaxy Canes Venatici 12h 50.9m 41°7  8.2  7x3 14,500,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M95
M95 is a barred spiral galaxy with an estimated 40 billion stars.
NGC 3351
Spiral Galaxy Leo 10h 44m 11°42  9.7  4.4x3.3 38,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🔴  Hard
M96
❌
NGC 3368
Spiral Galaxy Leo 10h 46.8m 11°49  9.2  6x4 38,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M97
Who who is the Owl Nebula? A bright starburst nebula believed to be about 8,000 years old.
NGC 3587 Owl Nebula
Planetary Nebula Ursa Major 11h 14.8m 55°1  9.9  3.4x3.3 2,600 L.Y. 🌼  Spring ⛔  Very Hard
M98
❌
NGC 4192
Spiral Galaxy Coma Berenices 12h 13.8m 14°54  10.1  9.5x3.2 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring ⛔  Very Hard
M99
❌
NGC 4254
Spiral Galaxy Coma Berenices 12h 18.8m 14°25  9.9  5.4x4.8 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🔴  Hard
M100
A grand design spiral nebula with a few neighbors.
NGC 4321
Spiral Galaxy Coma Berenices 12h 22.9m 15°49  9.3  7x6 60,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring ⛔  Very Hard
M101
A beautiful spiral galaxy that is quite photogenic.
NGC 5457 Pinwheel Galaxy
Spiral Galaxy Ursa Major 14h 3.2m 54°21  7.9  22 27,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring ⛔  Very Hard
M102
❌
NGC 5866 Spindle Galaxy
Lenticular (S0) Galaxy Draco 15h 6.5m 55°46  9.9  5.2x2.3 40,000,000 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🔴  Hard
M103
Cassiopeia hosts the open cluster M103 that contains a few hundred colorful stars. It is an easy cluster to find, located very near the 'W' shape of the constellation.
NGC 581
Open Cluster Cassiopeia 1h 33.2m 60°42  7.4  6 8,000 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🟢  Easy
M104
Messier 104 is referred to as 'The Sombrero Galaxy.' Can you guess why? This galaxy presents itself edge-on with a bright core and dark dust obscuring the central disk. 45 60-second exposures.
NGC 4594 Sombrero Galaxy
Spiral Galaxy Virgo 12h 40m -11°37  8  9x4 50,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟢  Easy
M105
❌
NGC 3379
Elliptical Galaxy Leo 10h 47.8m 12°35  9.3  2 38,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🟡  Moderate
M106
❌
NGC 4258
Spiral Galaxy Canes Venatici 12h 19m 47°18  8.4  19x8 25,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🔴  Hard
M107
❌
NGC 6171
Globular Cluster Ophiucus 16h 32.5m -13°3  7.9  10 19,600 L.Y. ☀  Summer 🔴  Hard
M108
In the left corner, coming from the constellation Ursa Major, weighing in at 125 billion times the mass of the sun, designation M108 the Surfboard Galaxy! To the right, lightweight division M97, weighing in at 1/10th the mass of our sun, still blasting interstellar winds at the age of 8,000, the Owl Nebula! Together, I call them... Arkanoid.
NGC 3556
Spiral Galaxy Ursa Major 11h 11.5m 55°40  10  8x1 45,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🔴  Hard
M109
❌
NGC 3992
Spiral Galaxy Ursa Major 11h 57.6m 53°23  9.8  7x4 55,000,000 L.Y. 🌼  Spring 🔴  Hard
M110
❌
NGC 205 Satellite of M31
Elliptical Galaxy Andromeda 0h 40.4m 41°41  8.5  17x10 2,900,000 L.Y. 🍂  Autumn 🔴  Hard