![[M42, drawing by Messier]](../../Pics/History/m42m.jpg)
Observed at the Observatory of the Navy,
with different instruments.
By M. Messier.
Several Astronomers have worked on the research of the nebulous Stars, namely Hévélius, Huygens, Derham, Halley, Chéseaux, the Abbé de la Caille, & at last M. le Gentil: other astronomers have discovered them by chance, be it when working on the determination of the positions of the Stars for forming Catalogs, be it when observing the pathes of Comets: several of these Astronomers have not made it to indicate them in the constellations where they have found them, without giving the exact positions & detailed descriptions.
I have endeavoured this work in 1764, be it by observing those which were already known, be it by researching the others which have been escaped Astronomers since the invention of telescopes: this work which has been long & laborious has enabled me to present today at the Academy a catalog more complete, more precise & more detailed of the nebulous Stars, a work which was almost missing in Astronomy.
[M1]
The Comet of 1758, on August 28, 1758, was between the horns of Taurus,
I discovered above the southern horn, & little distant from the star
Zeta of that constellation, a whitish light, elongated in the form of the
light of a candle, which didn't contain any star. This light was of almost
the same as that of the Comet which I observed at that time; yet it was a
bit more vivid, more white & a bit more elongated than that of the
Comet which to me had always appeared almost round in its coma, without
the appearance of a tail or beard. On September 12 of the same year, I
determined the position of this nebula, ist right ascentsion is 80d 0' 33",
& its declination 21d 45' 27" north. This nebula is placed [printed] on
the chart of the route of the Comet of 1758 (a).
(a: Mémoires de l'Académie, year 1759, page 188)
[M2]
On September 11, 1760, I discovered in the head of Aquarius a beautiful
nebula which doesn't contain any star; I examined it with a good Gregorian
telescope of 30 pouces focal length, which magnified hundred four [104]
times; the center is brilliant, & the nebulosity which surrounds it is
round; it resembles quite well the beautiful nebula which is located between
the head and the bow of Sagittarius: It extends 4 minutes of arc in diameter;
one can see it quite well in an ordinary telescope [refractor] of 2 feet
[focal length]: I compared its passage of the meridian with that of Alpha
Aquarii which is situated on the same parallel; its right ascension was
derived at 320d 17', & its declination at 1d 47' south. In the night of
June 26 and 27, 1764, I reviewd this nebula for a second time; it was the
same, with the same appearances. This nebula can be found placed in the
chart of the famous Comet of Halley, which I observed at its return in
1759 (b).
(b: Ibid. [Mem. Acad.], year 1760, page 464.)
Since the discovery of this nebula in 1760, being curious to survey all which had been published about the Comets; I found in the Volumes of the Academy for the year 1746, a Memoir by M. Maraldi, on the Comet seen that year at Lausanne by M. de Chéseaux: M. Maraldi reports in this Memoir the discovery of this same nebula, which he noticed for the first time on September 11, when observing that Comet. Here is what he said: "on September 11, I observed a nebula of which the right ascension is 320d 7' 19", & the declination of 1d 55' 38" south, almost on the same parallel where the Comet would be; this nebula is round, well terminated & brighter in the middle, it occupies about 4 or 5 minutes of a degree, & is not surrounded by any star, but it has one at a rather great distance; one doesn't see any in the whole field of the telescope, which appears to me quite singular; for the majority of stars which are called nebulae are surrounded by a great number of stars; what has made judge if the whiteness which one discovers there, is the effect of the light of a cluster of stars too small [faint] for being perceived with the largest telescopes: I first took that nebula for the Comet."
[M3] On May 3, 1764, when working on a catalog of the nebulae, I have discovered one between Bootes & one of the Hunting Dogs [Canes Venatici] of Hevelius, the southernmore of the two, exactly between the tail & the paws of this Dog, according to the charts of Flamsteed. I have observed that nebula on the meridian, & I compared with Mu Bootis; its right ascension has been found as 202d 51' 19", & its declination as 29d 32' 57" north. That nebula which I have examined with a Gregorian telescope of 30 pouces focal length, which magnifies 104 times, doesn't contain any star; the center is brilliant, & the light gets lost fading [outward]; it is round, & could have 3 minutes of arc in diameter. One can see it in a good sky with an ordinary [nonachromatic] refractor of one foot [FL].
[M4] On May 8, 1764, I have discovered a nebula near Antares, & on its parallel, it is a light which has little extension, which is faint, & which is difficult to be seen: when employing a good telescope for viewing it, one can perceive very small stars. Its right ascension has been determined at 242d 16' 56", & its declination as 25d 55' 40" south.
[M5] The night of May 23 to 24, 1764, I have discovered a beautiful nebula in the constellation of Serpens, near the star of sixth magnitude; the fifth according to the catalog of Flamsteed. That nebula doesn't contain any star; it is round, & could have a diameter of 3 arc minutes; one can see it very well, under a good sky, with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of one foot [FL]. I have observed that nebula in the Meridian, & I have compared it to the star Alpha Serpentis. Its position was right ascansion 226d 39' 4", & its declination 2d 57' 16" north. On March 11, 1769, at about four o'clock in the morning, I have reviewed that nebula with a good Gregorian telescope of 30 pouces, which magnified 104 times, & I have ensured that it doesn't contain any star.
[M6] In the same night of May 23 to 24, 1764, I have determined the position of a cluster of small stars between the bow of Sagittarius & the tail of Scorpius: At simple view [with the naked eye], this cluster appears to form a nebula without stars, but the slightest instrument which one employs to examine it mahes one see that it is nothing but a cluster of small stars, the diameter of which could be 15 arc minutes: I have determined its position during its passage of the Meridian : ist right ascension was 261d 10' 39", & its declination 32d 10' 34" southern.
[M7] I have determined in the same night [May 23 to 24, 1764] the position of another star cluster which is more considerable & of a larger extension: its diameter could occupy 30 arc minutes. This star cluster also appears at simple view [to the unaided eye] like a considerable nebulosity: but when examining it with a refractor, the nebulosity disappears, & one perceives nothing but a cluster of small stars, among which there is one which has more light: this cluster is little distant from the preceding; it is between the bow of Sagittarius & the tail of Scorpius. I observed in the Meridian the passage of the middle of this cluster, & compared it to the star Epsilon Sagittarii for determining its position: its right ascension was 264d 30' 24", & its declination 34d 40' 34" south.
[M8] I also have determined, in the same night [May 23 to 24, 1764], the position of a small star cluster which one sees in the form of a nebula, if one views it with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet [FL], but when employing a good instrument one notices a large quantity of small stars: near this cluster is a rather brilliant star which is surrounded by a very faint light: this is the nineth star of Sagittarius, of seventh magnitude, according to the catalog of Flamsteed: this cluster appears in an elongated shape which extends from North-East to South-West. I observed its position during its passage of the Meridian, comparing it with the star Delta Sagittarii, & I determined its right ascension as 267d 29' 30", & its declination as 24d 21' 10" south. This star cluster could have an extension, from North-East to South-West, of about 30 minutes of arc.
[M9] In the night of May 28 to 29, 1764, I have determined the position of a new nebula which is situated in the right leg of Ophiuchus, between the stars Eta and Rho of that constellation; that nebula doesn't contain any star; I have examined it with a Gregorian telescope which magnifies 104 times; it is round its light is faint, & its diameter is about 3 minutes of arc: its right ascension is 256d 20' 36", & its declination 18d 13' 26" south.
[M10] In the night of May 29 to 30, 1764, I have determined the position of a nebula which I have discovered in the girdle of Ophiuchus, near the 30th star of that constellation, of sixth magnitude. according to the catalog of Flamsteed. When having examined that nebula with a Gregorian telescope of 30 pouces which magnified 104 times, I have not seen any star there: it is round & beautiful, its diameter is about 4 minutes of arc; one sees it difficultly with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of one foot [FL]. Near that nebula one perceives a small telescopic star. I have determined the right ascension of that nebula as 251d 12' 6", & its declination as 3d 42' 18" south. I marked that nebula in the chart of the apparent path of the Comet which I have observed last year [the comet of 1769].
[M11] In the night of May 30 to 31, 1764, I have discovered, near the star Kappa of Antinous, a cluster of a large number of small stars which one perceives with good instruments; I have employed for this a Gregorian telescope which magnifies 104 times. When one examines it with an ordinary [non-chromatic] refractor of 3 & a half feet [FL], this star cluster resembles a comet; the center is brilliant, there is among the small stars one star of eighth magnitude; two other, one of the nineth & one of the tenth: this cluster is intermixed with a faint light, & its diameter is about 4 minutes of arc. I have determined its position in right ascension as 279d 35' 43", & its declination of 6d 31' 1" south.
Mr. Halley reports in the Philosophical Transactions, no. 347, page 390,, that Mr. Kirch did the discovery of that nebula in 1681, that it precedes the right foot of Antinous, that it isn't itself anything but a small obscure patch, & that it contains a star which rather shines when traversing it, what gives it more light, its [ecliptical] longitude was in the [sign] Capricorn at 9 degrees [279 deg]; with 17d 1/2 northern latitude. That nebula was consequently observed by Derham, (Philosophical Transactions, no. 428, page 70) he reports, it follows a translation of his Memoir [here actually a transcript]: "Five of these six I have carefully viewed with my excellent eight Foot Reflecting Telescope, and find them to be Phaenomena much alike ; all except that preceding the right Foot of Antinous, which is not a Nebulose, but a Cluster of Stars, somewhat like that which is the Milky-Way." Mr. le Gentil also mentioned it in the Memoirs of the Academy of 1759, page 469. M. de Chéseaux has employed a Gregorian telescope of two feet, & a refractor of 25 feet [focal] length for examining that nebula in Antinous, which he had recognized to be a prodigious cluster of small stars; M. le Gentil made use of a [reflecting] telescope of 3 feet & an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 20 feet [focal] length, making at least the same effect as the [reflecting] telescope & the refractor of M. de Chéseaux; he recognized that theat nebula was very bad terminated at its preceding border, the sort which imitates rather well at this side, the coma of a Comet; he didn't perceive in the middle that a single bright star which one doesn't perceive, he said, but with a refractor of 8 feet. M. le Gentil thinks M. de Chéseaux has indeed confused that nebula with a neighboring cloud which contains a prodigious number of small stars.
[M12] In the same night of [May] 30 to 31, 1764, I have discovered a nebula in Serpens, between the arm & left side of Ophiuchus, according to the charts of Flamsteed: That nebula doesn't contain any star; it is round, its diameter can be 3 minutes of arc, its light is faint; on sees it very well with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet [FL]. I have determined its position, by comparing with the star Delta Ophiuchi; its right ascension has been concluded at 248d 42' 10", & its declination at 1d 30' 28" south. I have marked it in the chart of the apparent path of the Comet which I have observed last year [the comet of 1769].
[M13] In the night of June 1 to 2, 1764, I have discovered a nebula in the girdle of Hercules, of which I am sure it doesn't contain any star; having examined it with a Newtonian telescope of four feet and a half [FL], which magnified 60 times, it is round, beautiful & brilliant, the center brighter than the borders: One perceives it with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of one foot [FL], it may have a diameter of three minutes of arc: It is accompanied by two stars, the one and the other of the nineth magnitude, situated, the one above and the other below the nebula, & little distant. I have determined its position at its passage of the Meridian, and compared with the star Epsilon Herculis; its right ascension has been concluded to be 248d 18' 48", & its declination 36d 54' 44" north.
It is reported in the Philosophical Transactions, no. 347, page 390, that Mr. Halley discovered by hasard that nebula in 1714: it is, he says, almost on a straight line with Zeta & Eta according to Bayer, a bit closer to the star Zeta than to Eta, & when comparing its situation between the stars, its place is rather close to Scorpius 26d 1/2 with 57 degrees Northern [ecliptical] latitude, it is nothing but a small patch; but one sees it well without a telescope when the weather is fine, & if there is no light of the moon.
[M14] In the same night of June 1 to 2, 1764, I have discovered a new nebula in the garb which dresses the right arm of Ophiuchus; on the charts of Flamsteed it is situated on the parallel of the star Zeta Serpentis: that nebula is not considerable, its light is faint, yet it is seen well with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet & a half [FL]; it is round, & its diameter can be 2 minutes of arc; above it & very close to it is a small star of the nineth magnitude. I have employed for seeing this nebula nothing but the ordinary refractor of 3 feet & a half with which I have not noticed any star; maybe with a larger instrumentone could perceive one. I have determined the position of that nebula by its passage of the Meridian, comparing it with Gamma Ophiuchi, it has resulted for its right ascension 261d 18' 29", & for its declination 3d 5' 45" south. I have marked that nebula on the chart of the apparent path of the Comet which I have observed last year [the comet of 1769].
[M15] In the night of June 3 to 4, 1764, I have discovered a nebula between the head of Pegasus & that of Equuleus it is round, its diameter is about 3 minutes of arc, the center is brilliant, I have not dustinguished any star; having examined it with a Gregorian telescope which magnifies 104 times, it had little elevated over the horizon, & maybe that observed at a greater elevation one can perceive stars: I have compared it with the star Delta Equulei; its right ascension has been concluded at 319d 40' 19", & its declination at 10d 40' 3" north. I have also marked that nebula in the chart of the apparent path of the Comet of 1764.
In the Memoirs of the Academy for 1746, M. Maraldi speaks of that nebula. "I have perceived, he says, between the stars Epsilon Pegasi & Beta Equulei, a rather bright nebulous star which is composed of many stars, of which I have determined the right ascension of 319d 27' 6", & its northern declination of 11d 2' 22"."
[M16] In the same night of June 3 to 4, 1764, I have discovered a cluster of small stars, mixed with a faint light, near the tail of Serpens, at little distance from the parallel of the star Zeta of that constellation: this cluster may have 8 minutes of arc in extension: with a weak refractor, these stars appear in the form of a nebula; but when employing a good instrument one distinguishes these stars, & one remarkes in addition a nebulosity which contains three of these stars. I have determined the position of the middle of this cluster; its right ascension was 271d 15' 3", & its declination 13d 51' 44" south.
[M17] In the same night [June 3 to 4, 1764], I have discovered at little distance of the cluster of stars of which I just have told, a train of light of five or six minutes of arc in extension, in the shape of a spindle, & in almost the same [shape] as that in the girdle of Andromeda [M31]; but of a very faint light, not containing any star; one can see two of them nearby which are telescopic & placed parallel to the Equator: in a good sky one perceives very well that nebula with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet & a half [FL]. I have determined its position in right ascension of 271d 45' 48", & its declination of 16d 14' 44" south.
[M18] In the same night [June 3 to 4, 1764], I have discovered a bit below the nebula reported here above, a cluster of small stars, environed in a thin nebulosity; its extension may be 5 minutes of arc: its appearances are less sensible in an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet & a half [FL] than that of the two preceding [M16 and M17]: with a modest refractor, this star cluster appears in the form of a nebula; but when employing a good instrument, as I have done, one sees well many of the small stars: after my observations I have determined its position: its right ascension is 271d 34' 3", & its declination 17d 13' 14" south.
[M19] In the night of June 5 to 6, 1764, I have discovered a nebula, situated on the parallel of Antares, between Scorpius and the right foot of Ophiuchus: that nebula is round & doesn't contain any star; I have examined it with a Gregorian telescope which magnified 104 times, it is about 3 minutes of arc in diameter: one sees it very well with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet & a half [FL]. I have observed its passage of the Medirian, & compared it with that of the star Antares; I have determined the right ascension of that nebula of 252d 1' 45", & its declination of 25d 54' 46" south. The known star closest to that nebula is the 28th of the constellation Ophiuchus, after the catalog of Flamsteed, of sixth magnitude, [sic]
[M20 and M21] In the same night [June 5 to 6, 1764] I have determined the position of two clusters of stars which are close to each other, a bit above the Ecliptic, between the bow of Sagittarius & the right foot of Ophiuchus: the known star closest to these two clusters is the 11th of the constellation Sagittarius, of seventh magnitude, after the catalog of Flamsteed: the stars of these clusters are, from the eighth to the nineth magnitude, environed with nebulosities. I have determined their positions. The right ascension of the first cluster, 267d 4' 5", its declination 22d 59' 10" south. The right ascension of the second, 267d 31' 35"; its declination, 22d 31' 25" south.
[M22] In the same night of June 5 to 6, 1764, I have observed a nebula situated a bit below the ecliptic, between the head & the bow of Sagittarius, near the star of seventh magnitude, the twenty-fifth of that constellation, according to the catalog of Flamsteed. That nebula didn't appear to me to contain any star, although I have examined it with a good Gregorian telescope which magnified 104 times: it is round, & one sees it very well with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet & a half; its diameter is about 6 minutes of arc. I have determined its position by comparing with the star Lambda Sagittarii: its right ascension has been concluded as 275d 28' 39", & its declination as 24d 6' 11". It was Abraham Ihle, a German, who discovered this nebula in 1665, when observing Saturn. M. le Gentil has examined it also, & he has made an engraving of the configuration in the volume of the Memoirs of the Academy, for the year 1759, page 470. He observed it on August 29, 1747, under good weather, with a refractor of 18 feet length: He also observed it on July 17, & on other days. "It always appeared to me," he says, "very irregular in its figur, hair & distributing in space of rays of light all over its diameter."
[M23] In the night of June 20 to 21, 1764, I determined the position of a cluster of small stars which is situated between the northerb extremity of the bow of Sagittarius & the right foot of Ophiuchus, very close to the star of sixth magnitude, the sixty-fifth of the latter constellation [Oph], after the catalog of Flamsteed: These stars are very close to each other; there is none which one can see easily with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet & a half, & which was taken for these small stars. The diameter of all is about 15 minutes of arc. I have determined its position by comparing the middle with the star Mu Sagittarii: I have found its right ascension of 265d 42' 50", & its declination of 18d 45' 55", south.
[M24] In the same night [June 20 to 21, 1764], I have discovered on the same parallel as the star cluster I have just been talking about & near the extremity of the bow of Sagittarius, in the milky way, a considerable nebulosity, of about one degree & a half extension: in that nebulosity there are several stars of different magnitudes; the light which is between these stars is divided in several parts. I have determined approximately the position of the middle of this cloud of light; its right ascension is 270d 26', & its declination 18d 26', south.
[M25] In the same night [June 20 to 21, 1764], I have determined the position of another star cluster in the vicinity of the two preceding, between the head & the extremity of the bow of Sagittarius, & almost on the same parallel as the two others: the closest known star is that of the sixth magnitude, the twenty-first of Sagittarius, in the catalog of Flamsteed: this cluster is composed of small stars which one sees with difficulty with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet: it doesn't contain any nebulosity, & its extension may be 10 minutes of arc. I have determined its position by comparing with the star Mu Sagittarii; its right ascension has been found at 274d 25', & its declination at 19d 5' south.
[M26] In the same night [June 20 to 21, 1764], I discovered another cluster of stars near n & o of Antinous, among which there is one which is brighter than the others: with a refractor of three feet [FL], it is not possible to distinguish them, it requires to employ a strong instrument: I saw them very well with a Gregorian telescope which magnified 104 times: among them one doesn't see any nebulosity, but with a refractor of 3 feet & a half, these stars don't appear individually, but in the form of a nebula; the diameter of that cluster may be 2 minutes of arc. I have determined its position with regard to the star o of Antinous, its right ascension is 278d 5' 25", & its declination 9d 38' 14" south.
[M27] On July 12, 1764, I have worked on the research of the nebulae, and I have discovered one in the constellation Vulpecula, between the two forepaws, & very near the star of fifth magnitude, the fourteenth of that constellation, according to the catalog of Flamsteed: One sees it well in an ordinary refractor of three feet & a half [FL]. I have examined it with a Gregorian telescope which magnified 104 times: it appears in an oval shape; it doesn't contain any star; its diameter is about 4 minutes of arc. I have compared that nebula with the neighboring starwhich I have mentioned above [14 Vul]; its right ascension has been concluded at 297d 21' 41", & its declination 22d 4' 0" north.
[M28] In the night of the 26th to the 27th of the same month [July 1764], I have discovered a nebula in the upper part of the bow of Sagittarius, at about 1 degree from the star Lambda of that constellation, & little distant from the beautiful nebula which is between the head & the bow [M22]: that new one may be the third of the older one, & doesn't contain any star, as far as I have been able to judge when examining it with a good Gregorian telescope which magnifies 104 times: it is round, its diameter is about 2 minutes of arc; one sees it with difficulty with an ordinary refractor of 3 feet & a half of length. I have compared the middle [of it] with the star Lambda Sagittarii, & I have concluded its right ascension of 272d 29' 30", & its declination of 37d 11' 57" south.
[M29] 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.
[M30] In the night of August 3 to 4, 1764, I have discovered a nebula below the great tail of Capricornus, & very near the star of sixth magnitude, the 41st of that constellation, according to Flamsteed: one sees that nebula with difficulty in an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet [FL]; it is round, & I have not seen any star: having examined it with a good Gregorian telescope which magnifies 104 times, it could have a diameter of 2 minutes of arc. I have compared the center with the star Zeta Capricorni, & I have determined its position in right ascension as 321d 46' 18", & its declination as 24d 19' 4" south. This nebula is marked in the chart of the famous Comet of Halley which I observed at its return in 1759 (*).
[M31] The sky has been very good in the night of August 3 to 4, 1764; & the constellation Andromeda was near the Meridian, I have examined with attention the beautiful nebula in the girdle of Andromeda, which was discovered in 1612 by Simaon Marius, & which has been observed since with great care by different astronomers, & at last by M. le Gentil who has given a very ample & detailed description in the volume of the Momoirs of the Academy for 1759, page 453, with a drawing of its appearance. I will not report here what I have written in my [observing] Journal: I have employed different instruments for examining that nebula, & above all an excellent Gregorian telescope of 30 pouces focal length, the large mirror having 6 pouces in diameter, & magnifying 104 times these objects: the middle of that nebula appeared rather bright with this instrument, without any appearance of stars; the light went diminishing up to extinguishing; it resembles two cones or pyramides of light, opposed at their bases, of which the axis was in the direction form North-West to South-East; the two points of light or the two summits are about 40 minutes of arc apart; I say about, because of the difficulty to recognize these two extreminties. The common base of the two pyramides is 15 minutes [of arc long]: these measures have been made with a Newtonian telescope of 4 feet & a half focal length, equipped with a micrometer of silk wires. With the same instrument I have compared the middle of the summits of the two cones of light with the star Gamma Andromedae of fourth magnitude which is very near to it, & little distant from its parallel. From these observations, I have concluded the right ascension of the middle of this nebula as 7d 26' 32", & its declination as 39d 9' 32" north. Since fifteen years during which I viewed & observed this nebula, I have not noticed any change in its appearances; having always perceived it in the same shape.
[M32] I have examined in the same night [August 3 to 4, 1764], & with the same instruments, the small nebula which is below & at some [arc] minutes from that in the girdle of Andromeda. M. le Gentil discovered it on October 29, 1749. I saw it for the first time in 1757. When I examined the former, I did not know previously of the discovery which had been made by M. Le Gentil, although he had published it in the second volume of the Memoires de Savans érangers, page 137. Here is what I found written in my journal of 1764. That small nebula is round & may have a diameter of 2 minutes of arc: between that small nebula & that in the girdle of Andromeda one sees two small telescopic stars. In 1757, I made a drawing of that nebula, together with the old one, & I have not found and change at each time I have reviewed it: One sees with difficulty that nebula with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of three feet & a half; its light is fainter than that of the old one, & it doesn't contain any star. At the passage of that new nebula through the Meridian, comparing it with the star Gamma Andromedae, I have determined its position in right ascension as 7d 27' 32", & its declination as 38d 45' 34" north.
[M33] In the night of August 25 to 26, 1764, I have discovered a nebula between the head of the northern Fish [of Pisces] & the large Triangle [Triangulum], a bit distant from a star whioch had not been known, of sixth magnitude, of which I have determined the position; the right ascension of that star was 22d 7' 13", & its declination 29d 54' 10" north: near that star, there is another one which is the first of Triangulum, described by the letter b. Flamsteed described it in his catalog, of sixth magnitude; it is less beautiful than that of which I have given the position, & one should set it to the rank of the stars of the eighth class [magnitude]. The nebula is a whitish light of 15 minutes in diameter, of an almost even density, despite a bit more luminous at two third of its diameter; it doesn't contain any star: one sees it with difficulty with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of one foot [FL]. I have compared it to the star Alpha Trianguli, & with that of which I have reported the position. I have found the right ascension of that nebula at 20d 9' 17", & its declination of 29d 32' 25" north.
[M34] In the same night of [August] 25 to 26, [1764,] I have determined the position of a cluster of small stars between the head of the Medusa & the left foot of Andromedaalmost on the parallel of the star Gamma of that letter constellation. With an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet [FL], one distinguishes these stars; the cluster may have 15 minutes in extension. I have determined its position with regard to the star Beta in the head of the Medusa [Beta Persei, Algol]; its right ascension has been concluded at 36d 51' 37", & its declination as 41d 39' 32" north.
[M35] In the night of August 30 to 31, 1764, I have observed a cluster of very small stars, near the left foot of Castor, little distant from the stars Mu & Eta of that constellation [Gemini]. When examining this star cluster with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet [FL], it seemd to contain nebulosity; but having examined it with a good Gregorian telescope which magnified 104 times, I have noticed that it is nothing but a cluster of small stars, among which there are some which are of more light; its extension may be 20 minutes of arc. I have compared the middle of this cluster with the star Eta of Castor [Eta Geminorum]; its right ascension has been concluded at 88d 40' 9", & its declination at 24d 33' 30" north.
[M36] In the night of September 2 to 3, 1764, I have determined the position of a star cluster in Auriga, near the star Phi of that constellation. With an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet & a half, one has difficulty to distinguish these small stars; but when employing a stronger instrument, one sees them very well; they don't contain between them any nebulosity: their extension is about 9 minutes of arc. I have compared the middle of this cluster with the star Phi Aurigae, & I have determined its position; its right ascension was 80d 11' 42", & its declination 34d 8' 6" north.
[M37] In the same night [September 2 to 3, 1764], I have observed a second cluster of small stars which were not very distant from the preceding, near the right leg of Auriga & on the parallel of the star Chi of that constellaiton: the stars there are smaller than that of the preceding cluster: they are also closer to each other, & contain a nebulosity. With an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet & a half, one has difficulty to see these stars; but one distinguishes them with an instrument of greater effectivity. I have determined the position fo this cluster, which may have an extension of 8 to 9 minutes of arc: its right ascension was 84d 15' 12", & its declination 32d 11' 51" north.
[M38] In the night of September 25 to 26, 1764, I have discovered a cluster of small stars in Auriga, near the star Sigma of that constellation, little distant from the two preceding clusters: this one is of square shape, & doesn't contain any nebulosity, if one examines it with a good instrument: its extension may be 15 minutes of arc. I have determined its position: its right ascension was 78d 10' 12", & its declination 36d 11' 51" north.
[M39] In the night of October 24 to 25, 1764, I observed a cluster of stars near the tail of Cygnus: One distinguishes them with an ordinary (nonachromatic) refractor of 3 and a half feet [FL]; they don't contain any nebulosity; its extension can occupy a degree of arc. I have compared it with the star Alpha Cygni, & I have found its position in right ascension of 320d 57' 10", & its declination of 47d 25' 0" north.
[M40] The same night of October 24 to 25, I searched for the nebula above the tail of the Great Bear, which is indicated in the book Figure of the Stars, second edition: it should have, in 1660, the right ascension 183d 32' 41", & the northern declination 60d 20' 33". I have found, by means of this position, two stars very near to each other & of equal brightness, about the 9th magnitude, placed at the beginning of the tail of Ursa Major: one has difficulty to distinguish them with an ordinary (nonachromatic) refractor of 6 feet [FL]. Here are their position: right ascension, 182 deg 45' 30", & 59 deg 23' 50" northern declination. There is reason to presume that Hevelius mistook these two stars for a nebula.
[M41] In the night of January 16 to 17, 1765, I have observed below Sirius & near the star Rho of Canis Major a star cluster; when examining it with a night refractor, this cluster appeared nebulous; instead, there is nothing but a cluster of small stars. I have compared the middle with the nearest known star; & I found its right ascension of 98d 58' 12", & its declination 20d 33' 50" north [actually, south; see table below].
[M42]
I have examined a large number of times the nebula in the sword of Orion, which
Huygens discovered in the year 1656, & of which he has given a drawing in
the work which he has published in 1659, under the title
Systema Saturnium [Saturnian System]. It has been observed since by
different Astronomers. M. Derham, in a Memoir printed in the Philosophical
Transactions, no. 428, page 70, speaks of that nebula which he has
examined with a reflecting telescope of 8 feet [FL]. Here is the translation
[actually here, the text] of what he has reported in this Memoir.
"[But] only that in Orion, hath some Stars in it, visible only with the
Telescope, but by no Means sufficient to cause the Light of the Nebulose
there. But by htese Stars it was, that I first perceived the Distance of the
Nebulosae to be greater than that of the Fix'd Stars, and put me upon
enquiring into the rest of them. Every one of which I could very visibly, and
plainly discern, to be at immense Distance beyond the Fix'd Stars near them,
whether visible to the naked Eye, or Telescopick only; yea, they seemed to be
as far beyond the Fix'd Stars, as any of those Stars are from Earth."
M. le Gentil also examined this nebula with ordinary refractors of 8, of 15
& of 18 feet [focal] length; as well as a Gregorian telescope of 6 feet,
which belongs to Mr. Pingré. He has published his observations in a
Memoir which can be found printed in the Volumes of the Academy,
year 1759, page 453. There is a joint of the drawings which he had
made of it at that time, as well as those of Huygens & of Picard; these
drawings differ from each other, so that one may suspect that this nebula is
subject to sort of variations. Here is what I have reported about that nebula
in the Journal of my Observations. On March 4, 1769, the sky was perfectly
serene, Orion was going to pass the meridianI have directed to the nebula of
this constellation a Gregorian telescope of 30 pouces focal length, which
magnified 104 times; one saw it perfectly well, & I drawed the extension
of the nebula, which I compared consequently to the drawings which M. le Gentil
has given of it, I found some differences. This nebula contains eleven stars;
there are four near its middle, of different magnitudes & strongly
compressed to each other; they are of an extraordinary brilliance: here is the
position of the brightest of the four stars, which Flamsteed, in his catalog,
designated by the greek letter Theta, of fourth magnitude, 80d 59' 40" in right
ascension, & 5d 34' 6" in southern declination: this position has been
deduced from that which Flamsteed has given in his catalog.
[M43]
The star which is above, & has little distance from that nebula, & of
which is spoken in the Traité de l'Aurore boréale [Treat of the
Northern Light] by M. de Mairan is surrounded, & equally by a very thin
light; the star doesn't have the same brilliance as the four of the great
nebula: its light is pale, & it appears covered by fog. I determined its
position; its right ascension was 81d 3' 0", & its declination 5d 26' 37"
south.
[M44]
At simple view [with the naked eye], one sees in Cancer a considerable
nebulosity: this is nothing but a cluster of many stars which one distinguishes
very well with the help of telescopes, & these stars are mixed up at
simple view [to the unaided eye] because of their great proximity. The position
in right ascension of one of the stars, which Flamsteed has designated with the
letter c, reduced to March 4, 1769, should be 126d 50' 30", for its
right ascension, & 20d 31' 38" for its northern declination. This position
is deduced from that which Flamsteed has given in his catalog.
[M45]
One can say the same for the Pleiades, by reporting their position by that of
the star Eta, with its right ascension becoming, for March 4, 1769, 53d 27' 4",
& its declination 23d 22' 41" north.
Here is the work which I have done on the nebulous stars: I would desire that a Planisphere should accompany this Memoir, on which I should represent these nebulae with the star clusters which I have observed; a work which should bring a greater day for this part of Astronomy: the more as I am in the position to give the configurations, having the care to draw them each time when I have observed them, what should be useful for the observer in the following times, & for recognizing if they are subject to any changes.
On June 20, 1764, in a beautiful sky, I have looked for this nebula without being able to discover it.
[Hev 380, 381, 382, 383; Der 2, 3, 4, 5]
Hevelius, in the same work, reports the positions of four nebulae, one on the
forehead of Capricornus, the second preceding the eye, the third following the
second, & the fourth above them, & attending the eye of Capricornus:
M. de Maupertuis reported the positions of these four nebulae, in his
Discours sur la Figure des Astres, 2nd edition, page 109.
M. Derham mentions them also in his Memoire printed in the
Philosophical Transactions, No. 428, p. 70. One also finds these nebulae
on many planispheres & [celestial] globes.
I have looked for these nebulae, on July 27, August 3, and October 17 & 18, 1764; it wasn't possible for me to perceive them, & I doubt they exist.
[Hev 618, 619; Der 6, 7] In the same work, Hevelius reports the positions of two other nebulae, one on the near side of the star above the tail of Cygnus, & the other on the far side of the same star.
On October 24 & 28, 1764, I have looked carefully for these two nebulae without being able to discover them; the sky was serene & the constellation Cygnus in the meridian: I have well observed at the extremity of the tail of Cygnus, near the Star Pi, a cluster of small stars; but the determination which I have made is different from that which Hevelius reports in his work.
[Hev 1113; Der 11] Hevelius also reports in the same work, the position of a nebula situated in the ear of Pegasus.
I have looked for this nebula carefully in a good sky, in the night of October 24 to 25, 1764, & could not discover it.
[Lac I.11] M. de la Caille, in a Memoir on the nebulous Stars of the southern pole, printed in the Volumes of the Academy for 1755, page 194, reports the position of a nebula, which resembles, as he said, the small nucleus of a Comet, its right ascension was, for January 1, 1752, 18h 13' 41", & its declination 33d 37' 5" south.
On July 27, 1764, in an entirely serene sky, I have looked for this nebula carefully & in vain.
[Later, on August 31, 1780, Messier discovered a "nebula" not far from Lacaille's position (M69), and assumed he might have recovered Lacaille's object, but probably, this was a misidentification - hf]
[Cassini; may be M50] M. Cassini reports in his Elements of Astronomy, page 79, that his father discovered a nebula in the space which is between Canis Major & Canis Minor, which is one of the more beautiful which one sees wiht the telescope.
I have looked for several times for that nebula, in a serene sky, without being able to discover it; there is reason to presume that this was a Comet which commenced or ceased to appear, because nothing resembles so much a nebulous star, as a Comet which commences to be visible with instruments.
Years Right Description of Nebulae
& Ascension Declination diam & star clusters.
Days d m s d m s d m
[M1] 1758 Sep 12 80. 0.33 21.45.27.B .... nebula placed above the
southern horn of Taurus
[M2] 1760 Sep 11 320.17. 0 1.47. 0.A 0. 4 nebula without stars, in the head
of Aquarius
[M3] 1764 May 3 202.51.19 29.32.57.B 0. 3 nebula without stars, between the
tail & the legs of one of the
Hunting Dogs of Hevelius
[M4] 8 242.16.56 25.55.40.A 0. 2 1/2 cluster of very small stars, near
Antares and below its parallel
[M5] 23 226.39. 4 2.57.16.B 0. 3 beautiful nebula without stars,
between the Serpent ∓ the Ballance
near the star of 6th magnitude, the
fifth of the Serpent, according to
Flamsteed
[M6] 1764 May 23 261.10.39 32.10.34.A 0.15 cluster of small stars between the bow
of Sagittarius & the tail of Scorpius
[M7] 23 264.30.24 34.40.34.A 0.30 cluster of stars, little distant from the
preceding, between the bow of
Sagittarius & the tail of Scorpius
[M8] 23 267.29.30 24.21.10.A 0.30 cluster of stars between the bow of
Sagittarius & the right foot of
Ophiuchus; this cluster contains
the star of 7th magnitude, 9 Sagittarii,
according to the catalog of Flamsteed.
[M9] 28 256.20.36 18.13.26.A 0. 3 nebula without stars, in the right leg of
Ophiuchus, between the stars
Eta & Rho of that constellation.
[M10] 29 251.12. 6 3.42.18.A 0. 4 nebula without stars, in the girdle of
Ophiuchus, near the star 30 of
that constellation, according to
Flamsteed.
[M11] 30 279.35.43 6.31. 1.A 0. 4 cluster of a large number of small stars,
near the star k of Antinoüs
[M12] 30 248.43.10 1.30.28.A 0. 3 nebula without stars, in the Serpent,
between the arm and the left side of
Ophiuchus.
[M13] Jun 1 248.18.48 36.54.44.B 0. 3 nebula without stars, in the girdle of
Hercules, at 2 degrees below the star
Eta of that constellation.
[M14] 1 261.18.29 3. 5.45.A 0. 2 nebula without stars in the garb which
dresses the right arm of Ophiuchus,
on the parallel of the star Zeta Serpentis.
[M15] 3 319.40.19 10.40. 3.B 0. 3 nebula without stars, between the heads of
Pegasus and Equuleus.
[M16] 3 271.15. 3 13.51.44.A 0. 8 cluster of small stars mixed with
nebulosity, near the tail of Serpens,
little distant from the parallel of the
star Zeta of that constellation.
[M17] 1764 Jun 3 271.45.48 16.14.44.A 0. 5 train of light without stars, little distant
from the preceding star cluster.
[M18] 3 271.34. 3 17.13.14.A 0. 5 cluster of small stars, which contains a
slight nebulosity, a little below the
train of light which has been mentioned.
[M19] 5 252. 1.45 25.54.46.A 0. 3 nebula without stars, on the parallel of
Antares, between Scorpius and the
right foot of Ophiuchus.
[M20] 5 267. 4. 5 22.59.10.A .... cluster of stars a little above the
Ecliptic, between the bow of Sagittarius
& the right foot of Ophiuchus.
[M21] 5 267.31.35 22.31.25.A .... cluster of stars near the preceding.
[M22] 5 275.28.39 24. 6.11.A 0. 6 nebula without stars, between the bow &
the head of Sagittarius.
[M23] 20 265.42.50 18.45.55.A 0.15 cluster of stars between the extremity of
the bow of Sagittarius & the right
foot of Ophiuchus, very near to
the star 65 Ophiuchi, according
to the catalog of Flamsteed.
[M24] 20 270.26. 0 18.26. 0.A 1.30 cluster of stars which contains much
nebulosity near the extremity of the
bow of Sagittarius, on the parallel of
the preceding star cluster.
[M25] 20 274.25. 0 19. 5. 0.A 0.10 cluster of small stars in the vicinity of
the two preceding, between the head &
the extremity of the bow of Sagittarius:
this cluster doesn't contain any nebulosity.
[M26] 20 278. 5.25 9.38.14.A 0. 2 cluster of stars near the two stars known
as n and o of Antinoüs;
they don't contain any nebulosity.
[M27] Jul 12 297.21.41 22. 4. 0.B 0. 4 nebula without stars in Vulpecula, between
the two forepaws & very near to the
star 14 of this constellation, according
to Flamsteed.
[M28] 27 272.29.30 24.57.11.A 0. 2 nebula without star, situated about one
degree from the star Lambda Sagittarii,
& little distant from the beautiful
nebula which is between the head &
the bow.
[M29] 1764 Jul 29 303.54.29 37.11.57.B .... cluster of six or seven very small stars,
situated below the star Gamma Cygni.
[M30] Aug 3 321.46.18 24.19. 4.A 0. 2 nebula without stars, near the star 41
which is below the tail of Capricornus,
according to Flamsteed.
[M31] 3 7.26.32 39. 9.32.B 0.40 the beautiful nebula in the girdle of
Andromeda.
[M32] 3 7.27.32 38.45.34.B 0. 2 small nebula without stars, which is below
& little distant from the one in the
girdle of Andromeda.
[M33] 25 20. 9.17 29.32.25.B 0.15 nebula without stars, between the head of
the northern Fish [of Pisces] & the
great Triangle, it has little distance
from a new star of 6th magnitude &
the star b Trianguli, according to
Flamsteed.
[M34] 25 36.51.37 41.39.32.B 0.15 cluster of small stars between the head of
the Medusa & the left foot of
Andromeda, at little distance to the
parallel of the star Gamma of the latter
constellation.
[M35] 30 88.40. 9 24.33.30.B 0.20 cluster of small stars near the left foot of
Castor [one twin in Gemini], at little
distance from the stars Mu & Eta of
that constellation. This cluster doesn't
contain any nebulosity.
[M36] Sep 2 80.11.42 34. 8. 6.B 0. 9 cluster of stars in Auriga, near the star
Phi of that constellaiton: they are not
mixed with any nebulosity.
[M37] 2 84.15.12 32.11.51.B 0. 9 cluster of small stars, little distant
from the preceding, & on the
parallel of the star Chi Aurigae.
[M38] 1764 Sep 25 78.10.12 36.11.51.B 0.15 cluster of small stars, near the star
Sigma Aurigae, & little distant
from the two preceding clusters.
[M39] Oct 24 320.57.10 47.25. 0.B 1. 0 cluster of stars near the tail of Cygnus:
it doesn't contain any nebulosity.
[M40] 24 182.45.30 59.23.50.B .... two stars very close to each other,
placed at the root of the tail of Ursa
Major.
[M41] 1765 Jan 16 98.58.12 20.33. 0.A .... cluster of stars below Sirius, &
near the star Rho Canis Majoris.
[M42] 1769 Mar 4 80.59.40 5.34. 6.A .... position of the star Theta in the Sword of
Orion, which is situatedin the middle of
the nebula in that constellation.
[M43] 4 81. 3. 0 5.26.37.A .... position of the small star which is above
the nebula of Orion & which is
surrounded by a faint light.
[M44] 4 126.50.30 20.31.38.B .... cluster of stars known by the name of
the nebula of Cancer: the position
reported is that of the star c.
[M45] 4 53.27. 4 23.22.41.B .... cluster of stars known by the name
Pleiades: the position reported is that
of the star Alcyone
I have examined that nebula with the greatest attention, in an entirely serene sky, as follows:
These combined observations & the drawings brought together, have enabled me to represent with care & precision its shape & its appearances.This drawing will serve to recognize, in following times, if this nebula is subject to any changes. There may be already cause to presume this; for, if one compares this drawing with those given by MM. Huygens, Picard, Mairan & by le Gentil, one finds there such a change that one would have difficulty to figure out that this was the same. I will make these observations in the following with the ysame telescope & the same magnification.
In the figure which I give, the circle represents the field of the telescope in its true aperture; it contains the Nebula & thirty Stars of different magnitudes. The figure is inverted, as it is shown in the instrument; one recognizes there also the extension & the limits of this nebula, the sensible difference between its clearest or most apparent light with that which merges gradually with the background of the sky.
The jet of light, directed from the star no. 8 to the star no. 9, passing by a small star of the 10th magnitude, which is extremely rare, as well as the light directed to the star no. 10, & that which is opposite, where there are the eight stars contained in the nebula; among these stars, there is one of the eighth magnitude, six of the tenth, and the eighth of the eleventh magnitude.
M. de Mairan, in his Traité de l'Aurore Boréale [Treatise of the Northern Light], speaks of the star no. 7. I report it in my drawing below suxch as it is at present, & as I have seen; so to speak surrounded by a thin nebulosity.
In the night of October 14 to 15, 1764, in a serene sky, I determined with regard to Theta in the nebula, the positions of the more apparent stars in right ascension & declination, by the means of a micrometer adapted to a Newtonian telescope of 4 1/2 feet [focal] length. These stars are numbered up to ten; I have reported them in the drawing containing the field of the telescope; & an eleventh of them is beyond the circle.
No. of Diff. R.A. Diff. Dec.
Star from theta from Theta
m s m s
Theta 0. 0 0. 0 Theta Orionis
To the [ 1 7. 7 1/2 11.23 above Theta
left of [ 2 5.22 1/2 7. 0 above Theta
Theta [ 3 3.22 1/2 11.23 below Theta
[ 4 1.37 1/2 4.50 above Theta
[ 5 1.22 1/2 1.43 above Theta
To the [ 6 2.22 1/2 1.43 above Theta
right of [ 7 3.22 1/2 7.29 below Theta, nebula
Theta [ 8 3.37 1/2 1.45 above Theta
[ 9 9.37 1/2 13.46 above Theta
[ 10 9.52 1/2 1.36 below Theta
[ 11 14.45 14.42 above Theta
It will be comfortable to recognize the Stars of this Table in the figure, be
it by the numbers reported for each, be it by the differences in right
ascension & in declination with regard to Theta, as the figure is divided
by [a graticule of] 5 minutes by 5 minutes of arc.
The positions of the stars which are not marked with numbers have been fixed by estimating their relative alignments. One will know easily also the magnitude of the Stars by the model which I have reported on the figure.
Those of the tenth & the eleventh magnitude are absolutely telescopic and very difficult to find.
[The captions in this drawing read, from above: Mém. de l'Ac. R. des Sc. Pag. 460, Pl. VIII.. Nebula of the Orion. Presented to the King on March 27, 1774. Graticule from -15 to +15' in RA and Dec, magnitude scale 4th to 11th mag, scale for angular separation]
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