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Observation by Nick Hewitt: Messier's first true discovery

Uploaded by

Nick Hewitt

Observer

Nick Hewitt

Observed

2016 Apr 04 - 23:00

Uploaded

2017 Apr 11 - 22:08

Objects

M3

Planetarium overlay









Constellation

Canes Venatici

Field centre

RA: 13h42m
Dec: +28°25'
Position angle: +19°05'

Field size

1°03' × 0°42'

Equipment
  • APM 152mm f7 doublet
  • Canon D650
  • Lodestar guider
  • EQ6 mount
  • No filter
Exposure

10 x 90 seconds ISO 1600

Location

Billing, Northampton

Target name

Messier 3 in Canes Venatici

Title

Messier's first true discovery

About this image

Charles Messier, the "Comet-Ferret" died 200 years ago this night. He was a great comet observer, but almost by accident compiled the first great Deep Sky catalogue in an attempt to exclude nebulous objects that may be confused with these Solar System objects. Ironically, it is with his catalogue that his fame now rests in the 21st century.

The 3rd entry of the 110 in his catalogue was his first true Deep Sky discovery (3rd May 1764), the spectacular globular cluster in the Hunting Dogs. Raise a glass to his memory!

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