This Astronomy Now poster, measuring 83x57 cm, features images of the entire Messier catalogue of deep sky objects.

An avid comet hunter, Charles Messier (1730–1817) published his catalogue of (initially) 103 ‘faint fuzzies’ in 1781. Messier had meant to add objects 104–110, found with the help of his friend, Pierre Méchain, although they were not formerly added until after Messier’s death. Confusion reigns over the identity of M102. Did Messier mistakenly count M101 twice, or is M102 the Spindle Galaxy in Draco? Historical evidence suggests the latter, and that is what has been formerly settled on.

To Messier, the objects in his catalogue were a nuisance, ‘faint fuzzies’ that could be too easily mistaken for the comets that he sought. Today, the Messier Catalogue is a celebrated list of some of the best deep sky objects, all within easy reach of binoculars or small telescopes.

Price includes post and packing. Delivered rolled in a cardboard tube.