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Messier 21
Messier 21 in Sagittarius
Open cluster M21 (NGC 6531)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.9
Diameter ~ 16'
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
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: September 20, 2025, 10:10 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, light breeze, 13°C
Sunset: 7:18 pm
Moon Phase: New Moon (1%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 22
Messier 22 in Sagittarius
Globular cluster M22 (Great Sagittarius Cluster NGC 6656)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.2
Diameter ~ 32'
Distance ~ 10,400 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.
- "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.
- "The fabulous five", Fred Schaaf, Sky & Telescope 128(1), July 2014, p. 47.
Logbook
Date & Time: July 27, 2025, 12:46 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 23
Messier 23 in Sagittarius
Open cluster M23 (NGC 6494)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.5
Diameter ~ 25'
Distance ~ 2,000 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.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 30, 2025, 1:40 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: 40-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 24
Messier 24 in Sagittarius
Star cloud M24 (Small Sagittarius Star Cloud)
Visual magnitude ~ 2.5
Dimensions ~ 1° x 2°
Distance ~ 10,000 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.
- "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.
- "Imaging the Messier marathon", Alex McConahay, Sky & Telescope 125(4), April 2013, pp. 72-76.
Logbook
Date & Time: September 20, 2025, 10:33 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, light breeze, 13°C
Sunset: 7:18 pm
Moon Phase: New Moon (1%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 25
Messier 25 in Sagittarius
Open cluster M25 (IC 4725)
Visual magnitude ~ 4.6
Diameter ~ 26'
Distance ~ 1,950 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Logbook
Date & Time: July 27, 2025, 12:24 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 26
Messier 26 in Scutum
Open cluster M26 (NGC 6694)
Visual magnitude ~ 8.0
Diameter ~ 10'
Distance ~ 5,200 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Logbook
Date & Time: July 19, 2025, 11:24 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 27
Messier 27 in Vulpecula
Planetary nebula M27 (Dumbbell Nebula NGC 6853)
Visual magnitude ~ 7.3
Dimensions ~ 480" x 340"
Distance ~ 1,200 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.
- "A ghostly bubble in space", Ken Hewitt-White, Sky & Telescope 148(3), September 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.
- "The astrophotography hit parade", Rod Mollise, Sky & Telescope 127(2), February 2014, pp. 70-74.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 25, 2025, 12:17 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: 1-hr Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, home wifi, no post-processing
Messier 28
Messier 28 in Sagittarius
Globular cluster M28 (NGC 6626)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.9
Diameter ~ 13.8'
Distance ~ 17,900 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Logbook
Date & Time: September 20, 2025, 9:48 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, light breeze, 13°C
Sunset: 7:18 pm
Moon Phase: New Moon (1%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 29
Messier 29 in Cygnus
Open cluster M29 (NGC 6913)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.6
Diameter ~ 10'
Distance ~ 5,500 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 25, 2025, 2:35 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: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, home wifi, no post-processing
Messier 30
Messier 30 in Capricornus
Globular cluster M30 (NGC 7099)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.9
Diameter ~ 12'
Distance ~ 26,400 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: June 25, 2025, 3:15 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: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, line power, no filter, home wifi, no post-processing
Messier 31 & 32
Messier 31 & 32 in Andromeda
Spiral galaxy M31 (Andromeda Galaxy NGC 224) and dwarf elliptical galaxy M32 (NGC 221)
Visual magnitudes ~ 3.4 (M31) and 8.2 (M32)
Dimensions ~ 3° x 1° (M31) and 11.0' x 7.3' (M32)
Distance ~ 2.5 million light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Unveiling Andromeda's true nature", Ron Voller, Astronomy 53(10), October 2025, pp. 18-23.
- "The spiral galaxy next door", Klause R. Brasch, Astronomy 52(9), September 2024, pp. 24-27.
- "A faint gathering of stars", Steve Murray, Sky & Telescope 147(6), June 2024, pp. 28-33.
- "The outer limits universe", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 47(6), June 2019, pp. 44-49.
- "Welcome to the neiborhood", Richard Talcott, Astronomy 47(3), March 2019, pp. 28-31.
- "Exploring Messier 31", Alan Whitan, Sky & Telescope 126(5), November 2013, pp. 58-61.
- "Stargazing simplified", James Mullaney, Sky & Telescope 127(4), April 2014, pp. 38-41.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 26, 2025, 2:33 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, humid, 15°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moonset: 10:46 pm
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (3%)
Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 33
Messier 33 in Triangulum
Spiral galaxy M33 (Triangulum Galaxy NGC 598)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.7
Dimensions ~ 67' x 41.5'
Distance ~ 2.8 million 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.
- "Welcome to the neiborhood", Richard Talcott, Astronomy 47(3), March 2019, pp. 28-31.
- "Exploring the Triangulum Galaxy", Ted Forte, Sky & Telescope 126(6), December 2013, pp. 34-38.
- "The astrophotography hit parade", Rod Mollise, Sky & Telescope 127(2), February 2014, pp. 70-74.
Logbook
Date & Time: August 3, 2025, 3:20 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temperature: Clear, calm, 9°C
Sunset: 8:42 pm
Moonset: 12:19 am
Moon Phase: First quarter (64%)
Moonrise: 3:37 pm
Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 34
Messier 34 in Perseus
Open cluster M34 (NGC 1039)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.2
Diameter ~ 25'
Distance ~ 1,530 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Logbook
Date & Time: June 26, 2025, 3:09 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, humid, 15°C
Sunset: 9:08 pm
Moonset: 10:46 pm
Moon Phase: Waxing crescent (3%)
Technical: 30-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 35
Messier 35 in Gemini
Open cluster M35 (NGC 2168)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.1
Diameter ~ 25'
Distance ~ 2,500 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.
- "Observe winter's twin treats", Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 48(2), February 2020, pp. 56-59.
- "A deep-sky winter wonderland", Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 47(1), January 2019, pp. 48-53.
- "The Messier open clusters of winter", Rod Mollise, Sky & Telescope 127(1), January 2014, pp. 38-40.
Logbook
Date & Time: September 21, 2025, 2:25 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, light breeze, 7°C
Sunset: 7:18 pm
Moon Phase: New Moon (1%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 36
Messier 36 in Auriga
Open cluster M49 (NGC 1960)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.0
Diameter ~ 10'
Distance ~ 4,100 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Spend some time in Auriga", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 49(2), February 2021, pp. 46-47.
- "The Messier open clusters of winter", Rod Mollise, Sky & Telescope 127(1), January 2014, pp. 38-40.
Logbook
Date & Time: July 25, 2025, 4:17 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, 18°C
Sunrise: 5:54 am
Moon Phase: New moon (0%)
Technical: 20-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 37
Messier 37 in Auriga
Open cluster M37 (NGC 2099)
Visual magnitude ~ 5.6
Diameter ~ 15'
Distance ~ 4,400 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.
- "Spend some time in Auriga", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 49(2), February 2021, pp. 46-47.
- "The Messier open clusters of winter", Rod Mollise, Sky & Telescope 127(1), January 2014, pp. 38-40.
Logbook
Date & Time: September 15, 2025, 11:51 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: 15-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power plus power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 38
Messier 38 in Auriga
Open cluster M38 (NGC 1912)
Visual magnitude ~ 6.4
Diameter ~ 15'
Distance ~ 4,600 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Image Comparison References
- "Spend some time in Auriga", Michael E. Bakich, Astronomy 49(2), February 2021, pp. 46-47.
- "Observe winter's twin treats", Stephen James O'Meara, Astronomy 48(2), February 2020, pp. 56-59.
- "The Messier open clusters of winter", Rod Mollise, Sky & Telescope 127(1), January 2014, pp. 38-40.
Logbook
Date & Time: September 16, 2025, 12:12 am
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: 15-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power plus power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 39
Messier 39 in Cygnus
Open cluster M39 (NGC 7092)
Visual magnitude ~ 4.6
Diameter ~ 31'
Distance ~ 950 light-years
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Logbook
Date & Time: July 25, 2025, 4:49 am
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temp: Clear, calm, 18°C
Sunrise: 5:54 am
Moon Phase: New moon (0%)
Technical: 18-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery power, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing
Messier 40
Messier 40 in Ursa Major
Double star M40 (Winnecke 4)
Visual magnitude ~ 9.0 and 9.6
Separation ~ 52.8' (Hipparcos)
Distance ~ 510 light-years (primary)
Data Reference
The Messier Objects: 2nd Edition, Stephen James O'Meara, Cambridge University Press, New York, 2014.
Logbook
Date & Time: August 2, 2025, 11:42 pm
Location: Kempt Shore, Nova Scotia, 45°N
Sky & Temperature: Clear, calm, 9°C
Sunset: 8:42 pm
Moonset: 12:19 am
Moon Phase: First quarter (64%)
Moonrise: 3:37 pm
Technical: 10-min Integration, 10-sec exposures, battery & power tank, no filter, direct wifi, no post-processing