Messier 1
Messier 1 in Taurus
Supernova remnant M1 (Crab Nebula NGC 1952)
Visual magnitude ~ 8.0
Dimensions ~ 6' x 4'
Distance ~ 6,500 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Mastering the Messier marathon", Jan Hattenbach and Ronald Stoyan, Sky & Telescope 149(4), April 2025, pp. 20-27.
Logbook
Date & Time: September 12, 2025, 4:31 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temperature: Clear, light breeze, 12°C
Sunset: 7:35 pm (September 11)
Moon Phase: Waning gibbous (77%)
Moonrise: 9:14 pm (September 11)
Technical: 1-hour Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, home wifi, no post-processing
Messier 2
Messier 2 in Aquarius
Globular cluster M2 (NGC 7089)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.3
Diameter ~ 16'
Distance ~ 37,500 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Survivors from the Milky Way's birth", Rod Pommier, Astronomy 52(8), August 2024, pp. 22-27.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 25, 2025, 3:56 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Partly cloudy, calm, humid, 24°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moonset: 9:04 pm
Moon Phase: New Moon (0%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, home wifi, no post-processing
Messier 3
Messier 3 in Canes Venatici
Globular cluster M3 (Jellyfish Cluster NGC 5272)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.9
Diameter ~ 19'
Distance ~ 33,300 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 30, 2025, 11:25 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Partly cloudy, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moonset: 12:02 am
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (33%)
Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 4
Messier 4 in Scorpius
Globular cluster M4 (Cat's Eye NGC 6121)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.4
Diameter ~ 36'
Distance ~ 7,200 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "A stargazer's guide to the Milky Way", Ken Croswell, Sky & Telescope 150(2), August 2025, pp. 34-40.
- "101 cosmic objects you must see", Michael Bakich, Alan Goldstein, Phil Harrington, and Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 50(1), January 2022, pp. 6-31, 40-65.
- "Tackle a globular cluster showdown", Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 47(8), August 2019, pp. 52-57.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
- "Observing the Milky Way, Part I: Sagittarius & Scorpius", Craig Crossen, Sky & Telescope 126(1), July 2013, pp. 24-29.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 22, 2025, 12:21 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temperature: Clear, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (13%)
Moonrise: 2:10 am
Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 5
Messier 5 in Serpens (Caput)
Globular cluster M5 (NGC 5904)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.7
Diameter ~ 23'
Distance ~ 24,500 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Getting ahead with Serpens", Ken Hewitt-White, Sky & Telescope 149(5), May 2025, pp. 55-57.
- "See spring's best Messier objects", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 49(4), April 2021, pp. 40-41.
- "Enjoy the sky's great globulars", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 48(6), June 2020, pp. 58-63.
- "Tackle a globular cluster showdown", Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 47(8), August 2019, pp. 52-57.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
- "M5 surprise", Howard Banich, Sky & Telescope 127(6), June 2014, pp. 60-64.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 30, 2025, 11:59 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Partly cloudy, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moonset: 12:02 am
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (33%)
Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 6
Messier 6 in Scorpius
Open cluster M6 (Butterfly Cluster NGC 6405)
Visual magnitude ~ 4.2
Diameter ~ 33'
Distance ~ 1,600 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 22, 2025, 12:55 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temperature: Clear, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (13%)
Moonrise: 2:10 am
Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 7
Messier 7 in Scorpius
Open cluster M7 (NGC 6475)
Visual magnitude ~ 2.8
Diameter ~ 75'
Distance ~ 780 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Summer star clouds", Brian Ventrudo, Sky & Telescope 148(2), August 2024, pp. 20-27.
- "The life and death of stars in Scorpius", Phil Harrington, Astronomy 47(5), May 2019, pp. 32-35.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 22, 2025, 1:29 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temperature: Clear, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (13%)
Moonrise: 2:10 am
Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 8
Messier 8 in Sagittarius
Diffuse nebula and cluster M8 (Lagoon Nebula NGC 6523, Cluster NGC 6530)
Visual magnitude ~ 3.0
Dimensions ~ 45' x 30' (nebula), 14' (cluster)
Distance ~ 5,200 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Summer outreach treasures", Ted Forte, Sky & Telescope 150(1), July 2025, pp. 22-27.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 22, 2025, 2:03 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temperature: Clear, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (13%)
Moonrise: 2:10 am
Technical: 1-hr Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 9
Messier 9 in Ophiuchus
Globular cluster M9 (NGC 6333)
Visual magnitude ~ 7.8
Diameter ~ 12'
Distance ~ 22,800 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: September 15, 2025, 9:19 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 7:27 pm
Moonrise: 12:42 am (September 16)
Moon Phase: Waning crescent (33%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power plus power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 10
Messier 10 in Ophiuchus
Globular cluster M10 (NGC 6254)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.6
Diameter ~ 20'
Distance ~ 14,350 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Tackle a globular cluster showdown", Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 47(8), August 2019, pp. 52-57.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: September 15, 2025, 9:42 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 7:27 pm
Moonrise: 12:42 am (September 16)
Moon Phase: Waning crescent (33%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power plus power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 11
Messier 11 in Scutum
Open cluster M11 (Wild Duck Cluster NGC 6705)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.3
Diameter ~ 13'
Distance ~ 5,460 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "See summer's best Messier objects", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 49(8), August 2021, pp. 46-49.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
- "Observing the Milky Way, Part II: Scutum to Cassiopeia", Craig Crossen, Sky & Telescope 126(4), October 2013, pp. 32-39.
Logbook
Date & Time: July 19, 2025, 11:02 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temperature: Mostly clear, calm, 21°C
Sunset: 8:58 pm
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (28%)
Moonrise: 12:39 pm
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, home wifi, no post-processing
Messier 12
Messier 12 in Ophiuchus
Globular cluster M12 (Gumball GlobulartNGC 6218)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.1
Diameter ~ 16'
Distance ~ 15,650 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Enjoy the sky's great globulars", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 48(6), June 2020, pp. 58-63.
- "Tackle a globular cluster showdown", Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 47(8), August 2019, pp. 52-57.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
- "Serpentarius & the Serpent", Sue French, Sky & Telescope 127(6), June 2014, pp. 56-58.
Logbook
Date & Time: September 15, 2025, 10:04 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 7:27 pm
Moonrise: 12:42 am (September 16)
Moon Phase: Waning crescent (33%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power plus power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 13
Messier 13 in Hercules
Globular cluster M13 (Great Hercules Cluster NGC 6205)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.3
Diameter ~ 20'
Distance ~ 23,150 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Summer outreach treasures", Ted Forte, Sky & Telescope 150(1), July 2025, pp. 22-27.
- "Great balls of fire", Ken Hewitt-White, Sky & Telescope 148(1), July 2024, pp. 55-57.
- "101 cosmic objects you must see", Michael Bakich, Alan Goldstein, Phil Harrington, and Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 50(1), January 2022, pp. 6-31, 40-65.
- "Enjoy the sky's great globulars", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 48(6), June 2020, pp. 58-63.
- "The propeller's mysterious move", Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 47(10), October 2019, pp. 64-65.
- "Tackle a globular cluster showdown", Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 47(8), August 2019, pp. 52-57.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
- "The astrophotography hit parade", Rod Mollise, Sky & Telescope 127(2), February 2014, pp. 70-74.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 24, 2025, 10:04 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Partly cloudy, calm, humid, 24°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moonset: 9:04 pm
Moon Phase: New Moon (0%)
Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, home wifi, no post-processing
Messier 14
Messier 14 in Ophiuchus
Globular cluster M14 (NGC 6402)
Visual magnitude ~ 7.6
Diameter ~ 11'
Distance ~ 33,300 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: September 15, 2025, 10:27 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 7:27 pm
Moonrise: 12:42 am (September 16)
Moon Phase: Waning crescent (33%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power plus power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 15
Messier 15 in Pegasus
Globular cluster M15 (Great Pegasus Cluster NGC 7078)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.0
Diameter ~ 18'
Distance ~ 33,900 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "101 cosmic objects you must see", Michael Bakich, Alan Goldstein, Phil Harrington, and Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 50(1), January 2022, pp. 6-31, 40-65.
- "See summer's best Messier objects", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 49(8), August 2021, pp. 46-49.
- "Enjoy the sky's great globulars", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 48(6), June 2020, pp. 58-63.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
- "The astrophotography hit parade", Rod Mollise, Sky & Telescope 127(2), February 2014, pp. 70-74.
Logbook
Date & Time: July 27, 2025, 2:33 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Mostly clear, calm, 16°C
Sunset: 8:51 pm
Moonset: 10.05 pm
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (6%)
Technical: 10-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 16
Messier 16 in Serpens
Open cluster and emission nebula M16 (Eagle Nebula IC 4703, Cluster NGC 6611)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.0 (cluster)
Dimensions ~ 35' x 28' (nebula)
Diameter ~ 8' (cluster)
Distance ~ 5,700 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "See summer's best Messier objects", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 49(8), August 2021, pp. 46-49.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
- "Observing the Milky Way, Part I: Sagittarius & Scorpius", Craig Crossen, Sky & Telescope 126(1), July 2013, pp. 24-29.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 30, 2025, 2:24 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Partly cloudy, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moonset: 12:02 am
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent 33%)
Technical: 1-hr Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 17
Messier 17 in Sagittarius
Emission nebula and open cluster M17 (Omega Nebula NGC 6618)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.0 (cluster)
Dimensions ~ 20' x 15' (nebula)
Diameter ~ 27' (cluster)
Distance ~ 5,500 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "101 cosmic objects you must see", Michael Bakich, Alan Goldstein, Phil Harrington, and Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 50(1), January 2022, pp. 6-31, 40-65.
- "See summer's best Messier objects", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 49(8), August 2021, pp. 46-49.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 30, 2025, 12:34 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Partly cloudy, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moonset: 12:02 am
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent 33%)
Technical: 1-hr Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 18
Messier 18 in Sagittarius
Open cluster M18 (Black Swan NGC 6613)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.9
Diameter ~ 7'
Distance ~ 3,900 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: July 27, 2025, 12:01 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Mostly clear, calm, 16°C
Sunset: 8:51 pm
Moonset: 10.05 pm
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (6%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 19
Messier 19 in Sagittarius
Globular cluster M19 (NGC 6273)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.8
Diameter ~ 17'
Distance ~ 28,700 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Logbook
Date & Time: July 26, 2025, 11:39 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Mostly clear, calm, 16°C
Sunset: 8:51 pm
Moonset: 10.05 pm
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (6%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 20
Messier 20 in Sagittarius
Nebula and cluster M20 (Trifid Nebula NGC 6514)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.3 (cluster)
Dimensions ~ 20' x 20' (nebula)
Diameter ~ 28' (cluster)
Distance ~ 5,400 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "101 cosmic objects you must see", Michael Bakich, Alan Goldstein, Phil Harrington, and Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 50(1), January 2022, pp. 6-31, 40-65.
- "See summer's best Messier objects", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 49(8), August 2021, pp. 46-49.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 22, 2025, 3:07 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temperature: Clear, calm, 18°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moon Phase: Waning Crescent (13%)
Moonrise: 2:10 am
Technical: 1-hr Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing