Discovered on July 29, 1764 by Charles Messier.
[Mem. Acad. for 1771, p. 446 (first Messier catalog)]
In the night of July 29 to 30, 1764, I have discovered a cluster of six or
seven very small stars which are below Gamma Cygni, & which one sees with
an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet & a half [FL] in the
form of a nebula. I have compared this cluster with the star Gamma, &
I have determined its position in right ascension as 303d 54' 29", & its
declination of 37d 11' 57" north.
[p. 457]
1764.Jul.29. RA: 303.54.29. Dec: 37.11.57.B.
Cluster of six or seven very small stars, situated below the star Gamma
Cygni.
Last Modification: April 2, 2006