Charles Messier | |
|---|---|
 Charles Messier, c. 1770 | |
| Born | 26 June 1730 |
| Died | 12 April 1817 (aged 86) |
| Known for | Messier catalog |
| Awards | Cross of the Legion of Honor |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astronomy |
Charles Messier (French: [ʃaʁl me.sje]; 26 June 1730 – 12 April 1817) was a French astronomer. He published an astronomical catalogue consisting of 110 nebulae and star clusters, which came to be known as the Messier objects, referred to with the letter M and their number between 1 and 110. Messier's purpose for the catalogue was to help astronomical observers distinguish between permanent and transient visually diffuse objects in the sky.