[CAAD9 (Adam)]

Originally Posted by AEAJR

Since Adam mentioned the Messier list I thought I would share these resources. I started on the Messier list but then turned my attention to planets. But I will get back to it soon.


Messier Object by M number
http://tcaa.us/astronomy/MessierObjects.aspx

Messier Objects by constellation - I especially like this one.
http://messier.seds.org/CONindex2.html

Messier Star Hopping Guide
http://www.robhawley.net/mm/SHG-MM-text-v6.pdf

Messier Objects – Star hopping charts
http://www.robhawley.net/mm/SHG-MM-charts-v6.pdf

Messier – Telrad Charts
http://www.atmob.org/library/member/skymaps_jsmall.html


Messier with Binoculars
https://www.astroleague.org/al/obscl.../binomesa.html

What kind of telescopes did Messier use?
This is interesting. The scopes we use are so advanced compared to what he was using, but his skies were certainly darker than mine. and they were huge with FL measured in feet, not mm.
http://messier.seds.org/xtra/history/m-scopes.html

At the end of the article the author says, "It remains to state that all of Messier's instruments could probably not compete with a modern 4-inch refractor (or unobstructed reflector, e.g., a Schiefspiegler) or 6-inch Newton reflector. Therefore, even moderately equipped amateurs of current days can easily hunt down all the objects he observed and cataloged."

Hey Ed, that's awesome thanks for those links.

I'm up to 85/110. Of the remaining 15, 4 never rise above 20 degrees, 11 never above 10 and M81/82 never above the horizon. So I'll need all the help I can get to make it past 100.

What you say about our telescopes is spot on. Just the other night I was in the backyard with the smaller of my dobs, a 10" pusher, and it crossed my mind what Messieurs Messier & Mechain wouldn't do for just a few hours with it.

As for the light pollution, that may not be the case actually. According to a book by Ronald Stoyan (atlas of the messier catalogue) apparently where Messier observed from(navy observatory in the middle of Paris) there was less than ideal for light pollution, even by modern standards. Stoyan mentions there would have been a lot of soot from domestic stoves etc and light and smoke from burning of lights in public squares not far from Messier's perch.

Anyway, thanks again for the links.

Cheers