Deep-Sky Companions: The Messier Objects

The bright galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae catalogued in the late 1700s by the famous comet hunter Charles Messier are still the most widely observed celestial wonders in the sky. The second edition of Stephen James O'Meara's acclaimed observing guide to the Messier Objects features improved star charts for helping you find the objects, a much more robust telling of the history behind their discovery - including a glimpse into Messier's fascinating life - and updated astrophysical facts to put it all into context. These additions, along with new photos taken with the most advanced amateur telescopes, bring O'Meara's first edition more than a decade into the twenty-first century. Expand your universe and test your viewing skills with this truly modern Messier guide. It is a must for all budding night watchers.Preface to the first edition; Preface to the second edition; Acknowledgments to the first edition; 1. A glimpse into the life of Charles Messier; 2. How to observe the Messier objects; 3. The making of this book; 4. The Messier objects; 5. Some thoughts on Charles Messier; 6. Twenty spectacular non-Messier objects; Appendix a: objects Messier could not find; Appendix b: why didn't Messier include the Double Cluster in his catalogue? Appendix c: a quick guide to navigating the Coma-Virgo cluster; Appendix d: Messier marathons; Appendix e: alternate name and object index; Image credits; Index.