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One of the first lists of deep-sky objects that any amateur astronomer becomes aquainted with is that of the French astronomer Charles Messier. The main reason for this is that it Contains 110 of the best deep-sky objects visible from the northern sky.
Messier was a comet observer with little interest in deep-sky objects. He initially started his catalogue of "false comets" to make life easier for himself and other comet hunters. In a report to the Connaissance des Temps Messier said:
"What caused me to undertake the catalog was the nebula I discovered above the southern horn of Taurus on September 12, 1758, while observing the comet of that year....... This nebula had such a resemblance to a comet, in form and brightness, that I endeavoured to find others, so that astronomers would not confuse these same nebulae with comets just beginning to shine."
Messier was a very acclomplished comet observer, discovering more comets (21) that anyone before him, and following almost 50 others. yet for all his success, his comet work is all but forgotten, while his efforts to assist other observers have resulted in his name being one of the most widely known. Surely there is a moral there somewhere!
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