Learn to find 110 of the most popular stargazing targets with the perfect book for new and experienced backyard astronomers. Grab your telescope and explore the galaxy!
 
This book and a telescope are all you need to find, view, and record your observations of the 110 most popular stargazing targets. Over 200 years ago, French comet hunter Charles Messier published a list of comet-like objects he saw through his telescope. While he dismissed them as a nuisance, we now know them as star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies! As some of the finest celestial sights to explore with your backyard telescope, these objects are especially perfect for those looking to move beyond the Moon and planets.
Finding the 110 Messier (pronounced Messy-ay) objects has never been easier! We provide a star map for each target—plus written directions for how to find it by star-hopping, an “eyepiece view” image to confirm you’re seeing it, observing tips from two veteran stargazers, and interesting facts. We also highlight additional nearby objects.
These objects are presented in their recommended viewing order—either by season, or during an all-night marathon. Each page contains an observation log so you can track your progress. Whether you’re a veteran stargazer or a budding astronomer, this book is your best guide to seeing each deep-sky object in Messier’s list!
 
Contributor Bio(s)
 
JOHN A. READ is a telescope operator at the Burke-Gaffney Observatory and a member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC). In 2020, he graduated with an undergraduate degree in astrophysics from Saint Mary's University and was presented with an RASC award for Excellence in Science Communication.