The Messier objects field guide : a new look at the most famous deep-sky wonders in the heavens

Charles Messier (1730-1817) Devoted Much Of His Life To Searching The Skies For Comets.--book Jacket. As He Continued His Comet Hunting, Messier Added Other Curious Deep-sky Objects To The List, Largely With Help From A Young Rival, Pierre Mechain. By 1781 The Messier Catalog Had Grown To 103 Entries.--book Jacket. Two Centuries Later, Backyard Observers Still Consider Many Of The M Objects The Jewels Of The Night Sky; All Are Splendid Targets For Viewing With Binoculars And Small Telescopes. In Deep Sky Companions: The Messier Objects, Renowned Visual Observer Stephen James O'meara Shows You How To Find And Enjoy M1 (the Crab), M110 (a Companion To M31, The Andromeda Galaxy), And Everything In Between. It's An Indispensable Resource For Skygazers At All Levels Of Interest.--book Jacket. Foreword / David H. Levy -- 1. Charles Messier And His Catalogue / David H. Levy -- 2. How To Observe The Messier Objects -- 3. The Making Of This Book -- 4. The Messier Objects -- 5. Some Thoughts On Charles Messier -- 6. Twenty Spectacular Non-messier Objects -- App. A. Objects Messier Could Not Find -- App. B. Messier Marathons -- App. C. A Quick Guide To Navigating The Coma-virgo Cluster. Stephen James O'meara ; Foreword By David H. Levy. Deep-sky Companions. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 303-304). If there were a canon for viewing the night sky, Charles Messier would be its author. The galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae cataloged by the famous comet hunter in the late 1700s are still the most widely observed celestial wonders in the heavens. They are the favorite targets of amateur astronomers, with such rich variety and detail that they never cease to fascinate. This book provides new and experienced observers with a fresh perspective on the Messier objects. Stephen James O'Meara has prepared a visual feast for the observer. Using the finest optical telescopes available for amateur work, he describes and sketches the view from the telescope as never before. There are new drawings, improved finder charts, and new astronomical data on each object, including findings from the Hubble Space Telescope. Expand your universe and test your viewing acumen with this truly modern Messier Guide. It is a must for budding night watchers. Stephen James O'Meara is a contributing editor to Sky and Telescope. In 1744 a brilliant comet punctuated the night sky, attracting the eyes of people around the world and capturing the imagination of a 14-year-old named Charles Messier. Provides new and experienced observers with a fresh perspective on the Messier objects. Copublished with Sky Publishing Corporation.