MESSIER OBJECT CATALOGUE - 21 to 50

Dear Readers,

In this post we are going to discuss about the Messier Objects catalogue from M21 to M50.

This post is a contd. of previous post. You can navigate to previous post which tells about Messier Objects and first 20 Messier Objects in the list.

You can directly redirect to the previous post from the link given below

http://koarc.blogspot.in/2014/02/messier-objects-catalogue-1-to-20.html 

Messier Object Catalogue M21 to M50

 

M21 Galactic Cluster in Sagittarius
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 6531
Visual Magnitude: 6.5

 

Located in the constellation Sagittarius, M21 is an open cluster of about 40 stars varying in magnitude from 9 to 12. The cluster is located about 3,000 light-years from Earth and has a diameter of about 10 light-years. M21 has a total visual magnitude of about 6.5, which makes it an impressive sight in any small telescope. 

M22 Globular Cluster in Sagittarius
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 6656
Visual Magnitude: 5.1

Yet another fine object to be found in the rich hunting grounds of Sagittarius a globular cluster known as M22. This bright cluster contains about 70,000 stars of which 32 are known to be variable. At a distance of around 10,000 light-years, M22 is one of the nearer globular clusters. It is nearly 200 light-years in diameter and is notable for containing a very faint planetary nebula. With a visual magnitude of 5.1, it can easily be seen with the naked eye and is a beautiful sight in any optical instrument. 

M23 Galactic Cluster in Sagittarius
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 6494
Visual Magnitude: 6.9 

M23 is a loose galactic cluster of stars found in the constellation Sagittarius. This cluster lies about 2,150 light-years from Earth and contains about 150 stars of magnitude 10 and fainter. It stretches over a distance of about 20 light-years in diameter and has a total visual magnitude of 6.9. M23 can easily be resolved with binoculars and its large size makes it a prime candidate for small, wide-field telescopes.  

M24 Milky Way Patch in Sagittarius
Common Names: Sagittarius Star Cloud
NGC Number: 6603
Visual Magnitude: 4.6 

Located in Sagittarius, M24 is not really a true deep sky object. It is actually a cloudy patch of stars in the Milky Way. The area is framed by dark patches of dust, which gives it the impression of being a separate object. M24 has a total visual magnitude of 4.6, which makes it easily visible to the unaided eye. A good telescope will reveal a small galactic cluster known as NGC 6603 hiding in the center of M24.  

M25 Galactic Cluster in Sagittarius
Common Names: None
NGC Number: IC4725
Visual Magnitude: 6.5 

M25 is a relatively compressed galactic cluster found in the constellation Sagittarius. It contains about 86 stars, one of which is a known Cepheid variable. This cluster is located about 2,000 light-years from Earth and has a diameter of around 23 light-years. The 6.5 visual magnitude of M25 makes it easy to find with a telescope. 

M26 Galactic Cluster in Scutum
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 6694
Visual Magnitude: 8.0 

Located in the constellation Scutum, M26 is a small galactic cluster of about 90 stars. It can be found only 3 1/2 degrees from its cousin, M11, but is not nearly as impressive. This cluster lies about 5,000 light-years from us and has a diameter of around 22 light-years. Its visual magnitude of 8 makes it less bright than most of the other galactic clusters.

M27 Planetary Nebula in Vulpecula
Common Names: Dumbbell Nebula
NGC Number: 6853
Visual Magnitude: 7.4 

Commonly known as the Dumbbell Nebula, M27 was the first planetary nebula to be discovered. It is a shell of gas that was expelled from the nebula's central star. This object gets the name "dumbbell" from its hourglass, or dumbbell-like shape. Its distance is estimated to be about 1,250 light-years from Earth.  

M28 Globular Cluster in Sagittarius
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 6626
Visual Magnitude: 6.8 

Located in the constellation Sagittarius, M28 is a tight globular cluster of several thousand stars. It lies about 19,000 light-years from Earth and has a diameter of around 75 light-years. This cluster's visual magnitude of 6.8 makes it a fine site in any optical instrument. A small telescope will reveal the cluster's slight oval shape. 

M29 Galactic Cluster in Cygnus
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 6913
Visual Magnitude: 7.1

 

M29 is a small, coarse group of stars in the constellation Cygnus. It is located about 7,000 light-years from Earth. The cluster contains only six stars with a magnitude brighter than 9.5, which form a small, stubby dipper in the center.   

M30 Globular Cluster in Capricornus
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 7099
Visual Magnitude: 7.2 

Located in the constellation Capricorns, M30 is a globular cluster of stars located about 25,000 light-years from Earth. This dense cluster is around 75 light-years in diameter and contains 12 known variable stars. It is actually approaching us at a speed of 164 kilometers per second.  

M31 Galaxy in Andromeda
Common Names: Andromeda Galaxy
NGC Number: 224
Visual Magnitude: 3.4

Located in the constellation Andromeda can be found M31, the famous Andromeda Galaxy. This spectacular object is a spiral galaxy similar to our own Milky Way. At a distance of only 2 million light-years, it is one of the closest galaxies to our own. Its enormous diameter of 200,000 light-years gives it a visual magnitude of 3.4, making it the brightest galaxy in the sky and the only galaxy visible to the naked eye. 

M32 Galaxy in Andromeda
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 221
Visual Magnitude: 8.1

M32 is one of the two small satellite galaxies of their more famous partner, M31. It is an elliptical dwarf galaxy with a diameter of only 8,000 light-years. M32 was the first elliptical galaxy to be discovered, and is the closest elliptical galaxy to us. Its close proximity gives it a visual magnitude of 8.1, which is quite bright for a galaxy.  

M33 Galaxy in Triangulum
Common Names: Triangulum Galaxy
NGC Number: 598
Visual Magnitude: 5.7

Located in the constellation Triangulum, M33 is a member of our local group of galaxies. It is a spiral galaxy with a diameter of 60,000 light-years, which makes it much smaller than its neighbor, M31. It is also a little farther away, at about 2,300,000 light-years from Earth. This is an extraordinary object with well-defined spiral arms. M33's visual magnitude of 5.7 makes it an easy target for small telescopes.

M34 Galactic Cluster in Perseus
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 1039
Visual Magnitude: 5.5 

M34 is an open cluster of about 100 stars located in the constellation Perseus. The cluster lies about 1,400 light-years from Earth and is believed to be about 190 million years old. The brightest star in the group has a visual magnitude of 7.9, which makes it a bright and easy target for viewing. M34 is visible to the naked eye, and its apparent diameter is nearly that of the full moon. 

M35 Galactic Cluster in Gemini
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 2168
Visual Magnitude: 5.3 

Located in the constellation Gemini, M35 is a galactic cluster of around 200 stars. This cluster is 2,800 light-years from us and has a diameter of about 24 light-years. It is believed to be around 110 million years old, which makes it an intermediate-aged cluster. With an apparent diameter about the same as the full moon, M35 can easily be seen with the naked eye near the 3 "foot stars" of the constellation Gemini. 

M36 Galactic Cluster in Auriga
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 1960
Visual Magnitude: 6.3 

Nestled within the constellation Auriga is M36, a galactic cluster of about 60 stars. This cluster is around 4,100 light-years from Earth and has a diameter of about 14 light-years. At an age of only 25 million years, it is quite young and contains no red giant stars. M36 has a visual magnitude of 6.3 with the individual member stars ranging in magnitude from 9 to 14. 

M37 Galactic Cluster in Auriga
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 2099
Visual Magnitude: 6.2 

M37 is a galactic cluster of about 150 stars located in the constellation Auriga. It has a diameter of about 200 light-years, making it roughly twice the size as nearby M36. At a distance of around 4,600 light-years, it is the richest and brightest of the Auriga clusters. It is also the oldest at about 300 million years.  

M38 Galactic Cluster in Auriga
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 1912
Visual Magnitude: 7.4 

M38 is the third of the three Auriga clusters. It is about 4,200 light-years away and has a linear diameter of around 21 light-years. The cluster has a total visual magnitude of 7.4 and contains more than 100 stars. The brightest stars of the cluster have been said to form a Greek letter Pi, or according to some, an oblique cross.

M39 Galactic Cluster in Cygnus
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 7092
Visual Magnitude: 5.2 

Located in the constellation Cygnus, M39 is a very loose cluster of about 30 stars. It lies only 800 light-years from Earth, which makes it one of the closest open clusters in the sky. The cluster has a diameter of about 7 light-years, and is believed to be over 250 million years old. With a visual magnitude of 5.2, it is a bright cluster although very loosely populated. 

M40 Double Star in Ursa Major
Common Names: None
NGC Number: WNC (Winnecke) 4
Visual Magnitude: 8.4

M40 was discovered by Charles Messier while searching for a nebula that had been reported in the area. The nebula was never found, so this double star system was logged instead. M40 is a binary star system found in the constellation Ursa Major. It is located approximately 300 light-years from Earth. The two stars have a visual magnitude of 9.0 and 9.3.

M41 Galactic Cluster in Canis Major
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 2287
Visual Magnitude: 4.6 

M41 is an open, or galactic, cluster located within the constellation of Canis Major. This cluster is located about 4 degrees South of Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky. M41 contains about 100 stars of varying colors. Several of these stars are red giants, the brightest of which is about 700 times brighter than the Sun. This cluster is about 26 light-years across and is situated approximately 2,300 light-years from Earth. M41's age is estimated at about 190 million years. 

M42 Diffuse Nebula in Orion
Common Names: Orion Nebula, Great Nebula
NGC Number: 1976
Visual Magnitude: 4.0 

Located in the constellation of Orion is one of the most impressive sights in the night sky. M42, also known as the Orion Nebula or the Great Nebula of Orion, is a gigantic cloud of gas and dust over 30 light-years in diameter. It is located about 1,500 light-years from the Earth. M42 is a site of active star formation, and the stars within this nebula cause it to shine with a magnitude of 4. This makes it one of the few nebulae that can be seen with the naked eye. The most famous of these stars is a small cluster known as the Trapezium. 

M43 Diffuse Nebula in Orion
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 1982
Visual Magnitude: 9.0 

M43 is also located in the constellation of Orion, and is actually part of M42, the Orion Nebula. It is visually separated from the rest of M42 by an impressive dark lane of dense dust. The dust actually lies between the nebula and us. If you could see M42 from the other side of the dust lane it would appear to be all in one piece. M43 is easily visible in a 4-inch telescope, but an 8-inch instrument will reveal dark features and details along the nebula's eastern border. 

M44 Galactic Cluster in Cancer
Common Names: Beehive Cluster, Praesepe
NGC Number: 2632
Visual Magnitude: 3.7 

Located in the constellation of Cancer is an impressive galactic cluster of stars known as M44. This famous cluster is also known as Praesepe, and more recently, the Beehive Cluster. The Beehive was given this name because to some it resembles a swarm of bees. It is one of the few deep-sky objects visible to the naked eye and has been known since ancient times. M44 consists of about 350 stars, 40 of which are bright enough to be seen in a small telescope. This cluster is about 577 light-years from Earth and is believed to be approximately 400 million years old.

M45 Galactic Cluster in Taurus
Common Names: Pleiades, Seven Sisters
NGC Number: N/A
Visual Magnitude: 1.6 

M45 is an object that has been known since the earliest times. Most commonly known as the Pleiades, it is a galactic cluster of about 500 young stars located within the constellation of Taurus. This cluster has also been named the Seven Sisters, after its seven brightest stars. These stars can easily be seen with the naked eye. The Pleiades are believed to be very young - only 100 million years old. They are located only 380 light-years from Earth.  

M46 Galactic Cluster in Puppis
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 2437
Visual Magnitude: 6.0 

Located in the constellation Puppis, M46 is an open cluster of about 500 stars. About 150 of these have a magnitude of between 10 and 13. This cluster is believed to be around 300 million years old. It is 30 light-years across and is located approximately 5,400 light-years from the Earth. A large telescope will reveal a small planetary nebula within the cluster. This nebula is not a member of M46 but is actually located between the cluster and us.  

M47 Galactic Cluster in Puppis
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 2422
Visual Magnitude: 5.2

Another open star cluster in Puppis is M47. This is a bright cluster than can be seen with the naked eye under good conditions. It is a tight cluster, containing about 50 bright stars in a region approximately 12 light-years in diameter. M47 is located about 1,600 light-years from Earth. This close proximity gives the cluster an apparent diameter about equal to that of the full moon. With a magnitude of 5.2, M47 is an excellent object for observing with binoculars.  

M48 Galactic Cluster in Hydra
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 2548
Visual Magnitude: 5.5

 

Located in the constellation of Hydra, M48 is an open cluster of about 80 stars. 50 of these are brighter than magnitude 13 and are easily visible in binoculars and small telescopes. The cluster is easily visible to the naked eye under ideal observing conditions. M48 is about 23 light-years in diameter and is located some 1,500 light-years from Earth. Its age is estimated at about 300 million years.  

M49 Galaxy in Virgo
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 4472
Visual Magnitude: 8.4 

M49 is a small elliptical galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It was the first member of the Virgo cluster of galaxies discovered by Messier in 1771. At a magnitude of 8.4, it is also the brightest of these galaxies. M49 is believed to be about 160,000 light-years in diameter, and is located approximately 60 million light-years from us. It will be visible as a faint point of light with binoculars. Large telescopes will reveal the fuzzy, nebulous nature of this object, as well as its bright center.

M50 Galactic Cluster in Monoceros
Common Names: None
NGC Number: 2323
Visual Magnitude: 6.3 

Located in the constellation of Monoceros is an open cluster of stars known as M50. This cluster is estimated to contain about 200 stars. It is about 10 light-years in diameter and is believed to be located around 3,000 light-years from Earth. The appearance of this cluster has been described as a heart-shape. With a magnitude of 6.3, M50 is easily visible.