what is the M in M66 spiral Galaxy?

(Brian Tung) wrote in message ...
Congo Sleaza Righjteous wrote:
Clearly there are a few objects there that couldn't possibly be mistaken for
comets--even in mediocre telescopes.

Then or now and by who?

For instance, M45, by anyone, anytime.

Brian Tung
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Not quite true I'm afraid. Under many conditions, the rising M45 can
easily be mistaken for a comet. I once watched it rising at the
Nebraska Star Party and have been mystified for a short while as to
what it is before it cleared the pre-dawn haze and became obvious.
For whatever reason, Messier decided that it warrented inclusion into
his catalog. Clear skies to you.

David Knisely wrote:
Not quite true I'm afraid. Under many conditions, the rising M45 can
easily be mistaken for a comet.

Under those circumstances, including it in the catalogue doesn't help you
distinguish it from a comet.

For whatever reason, Messier decided that it warrented inclusion into
his catalog.

I agree. I just don't think that reason was that it resembled a comet
enough to confuse him. I've heard the suggestion that he wanted to round
his list of 41 up to 45, and although that's plausible, I just wonder why
he wouldn't round it all the way up to 50 by including, say:

NGC 869
NGC 884
NGC 2024
NGC 7000
IC 4665

Doesn't have to be those particular five, but I just chose them.

Brian Tung
The Astronomy Corner at http://astro.isi.edu/
Unofficial C5+ Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/c5plus/
The PleiadAtlas Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/pleiadatlas/
My Own Personal FAQ (SAA) at http://astro.isi.edu/reference/faq.txt

David Knisely wrote:
Not quite true I'm afraid. Under many conditions, the rising M45 can
easily be mistaken for a comet.

Under those circumstances, including it in the catalogue doesn't help you
distinguish it from a comet.

For whatever reason, Messier decided that it warrented inclusion into
his catalog.

I agree. I just don't think that reason was that it resembled a comet
enough to confuse him. I've heard the suggestion that he wanted to round
his list of 41 up to 45, and although that's plausible, I just wonder why
he wouldn't round it all the way up to 50 by including, say:

NGC 869
NGC 884
NGC 2024
NGC 7000
IC 4665

Doesn't have to be those particular five, but I just chose them.

Brian Tung
The Astronomy Corner at http://astro.isi.edu/
Unofficial C5+ Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/c5plus/
The PleiadAtlas Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/pleiadatlas/
My Own Personal FAQ (SAA) at http://astro.isi.edu/reference/faq.txt

I agree. I just don't think that reason was that it resembled a comet
enough to confuse him. I've heard the suggestion that he wanted to round
his list of 41 up to 45, and although that's plausible, I just wonder why
he wouldn't round it all the way up to 50 by including, say:

You have to remember that this was a long time ago, before DVDs or even CDs.
People then were just getting used to the introduction of what we would
consider ancient technology --- record players. Rounding out the list to 45
was obviously related to the RPM rate of the new format singles. Tradition
maintains that the large hole in the singles was sized to fit the aperture
stop of his first (Tasco) telescope.

Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try the Lunar Observing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/
Lunar Picture of the Day http://www.lpod.org/
************************************


NGC 869
NGC 884
NGC 2024
NGC 7000
IC 4665

Doesn't have to be those particular five, but I just chose them.

Brian Tung
The Astronomy Corner at http://astro.isi.edu/
Unofficial C5+ Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/c5plus/
The PleiadAtlas Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/pleiadatlas/
My Own Personal FAQ (SAA) at http://astro.isi.edu/reference/faq.txt

I agree. I just don't think that reason was that it resembled a comet
enough to confuse him. I've heard the suggestion that he wanted to round
his list of 41 up to 45, and although that's plausible, I just wonder why
he wouldn't round it all the way up to 50 by including, say:

You have to remember that this was a long time ago, before DVDs or even CDs.
People then were just getting used to the introduction of what we would
consider ancient technology --- record players. Rounding out the list to 45
was obviously related to the RPM rate of the new format singles. Tradition
maintains that the large hole in the singles was sized to fit the aperture
stop of his first (Tasco) telescope.

Clear Skies

Chuck Taylor
Do you observe the moon?
Try the Lunar Observing Group
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lunar-observing/
Lunar Picture of the Day http://www.lpod.org/
************************************


NGC 869
NGC 884
NGC 2024
NGC 7000
IC 4665

Doesn't have to be those particular five, but I just chose them.

Brian Tung
The Astronomy Corner at http://astro.isi.edu/
Unofficial C5+ Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/c5plus/
The PleiadAtlas Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/pleiadatlas/
My Own Personal FAQ (SAA) at http://astro.isi.edu/reference/faq.txt

Chuck Taylor wrote:
You have to remember that this was a long time ago, before DVDs or even CDs.
People then were just getting used to the introduction of what we would
consider ancient technology --- record players. Rounding out the list to 45
was obviously related to the RPM rate of the new format singles. Tradition
maintains that the large hole in the singles was sized to fit the aperture
stop of his first (Tasco) telescope.

Alas, singles at that time were 16 rpm, not 45. (That would mean no
Great Andromeda Nebula, no Orion Nebula, no Pleiades, etc. Very sad.)

Brian Tung
The Astronomy Corner at http://astro.isi.edu/
Unofficial C5+ Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/c5plus/
The PleiadAtlas Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/pleiadatlas/
My Own Personal FAQ (SAA) at http://astro.isi.edu/reference/faq.txt

Chuck Taylor wrote:
You have to remember that this was a long time ago, before DVDs or even CDs.
People then were just getting used to the introduction of what we would
consider ancient technology --- record players. Rounding out the list to 45
was obviously related to the RPM rate of the new format singles. Tradition
maintains that the large hole in the singles was sized to fit the aperture
stop of his first (Tasco) telescope.

Alas, singles at that time were 16 rpm, not 45. (That would mean no
Great Andromeda Nebula, no Orion Nebula, no Pleiades, etc. Very sad.)

Brian Tung
The Astronomy Corner at http://astro.isi.edu/
Unofficial C5+ Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/c5plus/
The PleiadAtlas Home Page at http://astro.isi.edu/pleiadatlas/
My Own Personal FAQ (SAA) at http://astro.isi.edu/reference/faq.txt

Messier as in Charles Messier who developed the catalog...

Messier as in Charles Messier who developed the catalog...

Messier.
Charles Messier ( in the 18th century?) composed a list of fuzzy objects
which were "fixed" in the sky and not to be confused with comets by
exploring astronomers. He discounted their importance but, as we all now
know, these objects proved to be more diverse and significant than Messier
could ever have imagined
"Sly boots 9" wrote in message
...
can anybody help me?