Charles Messier (June 26, 1730 – April 12, 1817) was a French astronomer most notable for publishing an astronomical catalogue consisting of deep sky objects such as nebulae and star clusters that came to be known as the 103 “Messier objects”. The purpose of the catalogue was to help comet hunters, as he was, and to help other astronomical observers to distinguish between permanent and transient objects in the sky. Other astronomers, using side notes in Messier’s texts, eventually filled out the list to 110 objects.

This post contains 2 popular space objects : Pinwheel Galaxy (M101) and the beautiful Sombrero Galaxy (M104)

If you have missed the previous objects please also visit:

1. Messier objects gallery. M1-M11
2. Messier objects gallery. M12-M22
3. Messier objects gallery. M23-M33
4. Messier objects gallery. M34-M44
5. Messier objects gallery. M45-M55
6. Messier objects gallery. M56-M66
7. Messier objects gallery. M67-M77
8. Messier objects gallery. M78-M88
9. Messier objects gallery. M89-M99
10. Messier objects gallery. M100-M110