Astronomy

Astronomy? Find a galaxy of information here.

Upgrade to Britannica Online

Take a tour, New improved britannica online

Imagine Britannica's 32-volume encyclopedia online right there for you, plus full access to articles. Amazing content, written by world experts, that you can cite for projects and assignments.

Click here for Britannica shop

Messier catalog

List of about 109 star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies compiled by the French astronomer Charles Messier (1730–1817), who discovered many of them. Still a valuable guide to amateur astronomers, it was superseded by the New General Catalogue (NGC); both NGC and M reference numbers remain in common use.

Find more information on Messier catalog. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on Messier catalog.

  • Get more

  • M?ss?ng more?

    Subscribers see 10 times more content. Just US $69.95 per year

  • Britannica, just as colourful as Hong Kong
  • Times may change, but insightful knowledge is still in demand. That's why Britannica brings a world of knowledge online, to Hong Kong. Have a look for yourself.