Messier etymology

Etymology:

  • Messier: French for "middle"

Meaning and Origin:

The term "Messier" was coined by the French astronomer Charles Messier (1730-1817). He compiled a catalog of 103 astronomical objects during the 18th century, which became known as the Messier Catalog.

Messier used the term "middle" to refer to the position of these objects in the sky. He noted that many of them lay in the "middle" of constellations, not near any bright stars. He also used the term to distinguish these objects from more well-known celestial bodies, such as planets and major stars.

Over time, the term "Messier" became synonymous with these specific astronomical objects. The Messier objects are widely recognized and studied by astronomers to this day.

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