Courtesy S.E.D.S.

Charles Messier published his catalog in three steps:

 
The first edition appeared in the "Memoires de l'Academie" for 1771 (published 
1774) and covered the objects M1--M45. Also in 1774, it was printed in 
Lalande's Ephemerides for 1775-84 (according to Owen Gingerich). 
the first supplement (to M68) was published in the "Connaissance des Temps" 
for 1783 (published 1780), together with a reprint of the first catalog 
edition. The objects M69 and M70 were added in a separate contribution to the 
same volume. Messier provided an introduction to his catalog, and following 
the catalog, a list was printed of objects reported by previous observers but 
not verified by Messier when he had looked for them, and Lacaille's Catalog of 
Nebulae of the Southern Sky. (We have this reprint version of Lacaille's 
catalog online, which contains remarks by Messier) 
the final published version of the catalog appeared in the "Connaissance des 
Temps" for 1784 (published 1781), containing the objects up to M103. Again, 
the introduction and the list of failed object observations was printed after 
the catalog, followed by Lacaille's Catalog of Nebulae of the Southern Sky. 
This version of the catalog was reprinted unchanged in the "Connaissance des 
Temps" for 1787 (published 1784) together with all its appendices. 
Messier never published a further upgrade, although he has expressed plans to do 
so, e.g. in the "Connaissance des Temps" for 1801. However, he made extensive 
use of his personal copy of the catalog, adding the missing two positions for 
M102 and M103, and the new entry M104 as well as positions for two objects 
mentioned with M97 (they were later assigned M108 and M109). Other additional 
objects have been added from a letter from Pierre Mechain (who had probably 
planned to include them in a later revision which never occurred) and a 
publication by Messier.

Catalogue of Nebulae and Star Clusters.
Observed at Paris by M. Messier.
At the Observatory of the Marine.
Hotel de Cluny. Rue de Mathurins.

 
1. 5h 20m 02s (80d 00' 33") +21d 45' 17" 
(September 12, 1758) `Nebula above the southern horn of Taurus, it doesn't 
contain any star; it is a whitish light, elongated in the shape of a flame of 
a candle, discovered while observing the comet of 1758. See the chart of that 
comet, Mem. Acad. of the year 1759, page 188; observed by Dr. Bevis in about 
1731. It is reported on the English Celestial Atlas.' 
[A note in Messier's handwriting added in the margin of his copy of the 
Connaissance des Temps for 1783 reads:] `Seen by Dr Bevis about 1731 according 
to his letter to me of 10th June 1771' 

2. 21h 21m 08s (320d 17' 00") -1d 47' 00" 
(September 11, 1760) `Nebula without star in the head of Aquarius, its center 
is brilliant, & the light surrounding it is round; it resembles the beautiful 
nebula which is situated between the head & the bow of Sagittarius [M22], it 
is seen very well with a telescope of 2 feet [FL], placed below the parallel 
[same Dec] of Alpha Aquarii. M. Messier has reported this nebula on the chart 
of the path of the comet observed in 1759. Mem. Acad. of the year 1760, page 
464. M. Maraldi has seen this nebula in 1746 while observing the comet which 
appeared that year. (Diam. 4')' 
[Handwritten note in Messier's personal copy:] `No. 53 of the Berlin tables' 

3. 13h 31m 25s (202d 51' 19") +29d 32' 57" 
(May 3, 1764) `Nebula discovered between Bootes and one of the hunting dogs of 
Hevelius [Canes Venatici], it doesn't contain any star, its center is 
brilliant, and its glow is gradually fading away, it is round; in a good 
[dark] sky, one can see it in a telescope of 1-foot [FL]: It is reported on 
the chart of the comet observed in 1779. Memoires de l'Academy of the same 
year. Seen again on March 29, 1781, always very beautiful. (Diam. 3')' 
[Handwritten remark in Messier's copy:] `Viewed again on January 9, 1790.' 

4. 16h 09m 08s (242d 16' 56") -25d 55' 40" 
(May 8, 1764) `Cluster of very small [faint] stars; with an inferior 
telescope, it appears more like a nebula; this cluster is situated near 
Antares and below its parallel. Observed by M. de la Caille & reported in his 
catalogue. Reviewed Jan 30 & Mar 22, 1781. (Diam 2.5')'

 
5. 15h 06m 36s (226d 39' 04") +2d 57' 16" 
(May 23, 1764) `A fine nebula discovered between Libra & Serpens, near that 
star in Serpens, of 6th magnitude, which is the 5th according to Flamsteed's 
catalogue [5 Ser]: It doesn't contain any star; it is round, & one sees it 
very well in a fine [clear dark] sky with an ordinary telescope of 1-foot 
[FL]. M. Messier has reported it in the chart of the comet of 1763. Mem. Acad 
for the year 1774, page 40. Seen again on Sep. 5, 1780, January 30 & March 22, 
1781. (Diam. 3')' 

6. 17h 24m 42s (261d 10' 39") -32d 10' 34" 
(May 23, 1764) `A cluster of small stars between the bow of Sagittarius & the 
tail of Scorpius. To the naked eye, this cluster seems to form a nebula 
without stars; but even with the smallest instrument one employs for 
investigating one sees a cluster of small [faint] stars. (Diam. 15')' 
[Handwritten remark:] Lacaille has it. 

7. 17h 38m 02s (264d 30' 24") -34d 40' 34" 
(May 23, 1764) `A star cluster, more considerable than the preceding [M6]; to 
the naked eye, this cluster looks like a nebulosity; it is little distant from 
the preceding, placed between the bow of Sagittarius & the tail of Scorpius. 
(Diam. 30')' 
[Handwritten remark:] Lacaille has it. 

8. 17h 49m 58s (267d 29' 30") -24d 21' 10" 
(May 23, 1764) `A cluster which appears like a nebula in an ordinary telescope 
of 3 feet [FL] but with an excellent instrument, one perceives nothing but a 
large number of small stars; near this star cluster is a fairly bright star, 
surrounded by a very faint glow: this is 9 Sagittarii, of 7th mag, according 
to Flamsteed: this cluster appears in elongated shape, extended NE-SW, between 
the arc of Sagittarius & the foot of Ophiuchus. (Diam. 30')' 
[Handwritten remark:] Lacaille has it. 

9. 17h 05m 22s (256d 20' 36") -18d 13' 26" 
(May 28, 1764) `Nebula, without star, in the right leg of Ophiuchus; it is 
round & its light is faint. Observed again on March 22, 1781. (Diam. 3')' 

10. 16h 44m 48s (251d 12' 06") -3d 42' 18" 
(May 29, 1764) `Nebula, without stars, in the belt of Ophiuchus; near the 30th 
star of that constellation, of sixth magnitude, according to Flamsteed [30 
Oph]. This nebula is beautiful & round; one can only see it with difficulty in 
an ordinary telescope of 3-feet [FL]. M. Messier has reported on the 2nd chart 
of the track of the comet of 1769. Mem. Acad. for the year 1775, plate IX. 
Observed again on March 6, 1781.' (Diam. 4') 
[manuscript note in Messier's personal copy:] `Observed again in the morning 
of March 6, 1781. "Always very fine." Seen again in the morning of March 10, 
1790. Night-glass of Rebour.' 

11. 18h 30m 23s (279d 35' 43") -6d 31' 01" 
(May 30, 1764) `Cluster of a great number of small stars, near the star K of 
Antinous [ Sct], which one can see only in a good instrument; with an ordinary 
telescope of 3 feet [FL] it resembles a comet: This cluster is mingled with a 
faint glow; in this cluster there is a star of 8th magnitude. Seen by Kirch in 
1681. Phil. Trans. No. 347, p. 390. It is reported on the English Great 
Atlas.' (diam. 4') 

12. 16h 34m 53s (248d 43' 10") -2d 30' 28" 
(May 30, 1764) `Nebula discovered in the Serpent, between the arm and the left 
side of Ophiuchus: this nebula contains no star, it is round & its light is 
faint; near this nebula there is a star of 9th magnitude. M. Messier reported 
it on the 2nd chart of the comet observed in 1769. Mem. Acad. 1775, pl. IX. 
Seen again March 6, 1781. (diam. 3')' 
[Handwritten remark in Messier's copy:] Seen again March 10, 1790.

 
13. 16h 33m 15s (248d 18' 48") +36d 54' 44" 
(June 1, 1764) `A nebula without a star, discovered in the belt of Hercules; 
it is round & brilliant, the center is more brilliant than the edges, one 
perceives it with a telescope of one foot [FL]; it is near two stars, both of 
8th magnitude, the one above and the other below it: the nebula's position was 
determined by comparison with Epsilon Herculis. M. Messier has reported it on 
the chart of comet of 1779, which was included in the volume of the Academy of 
that year. Seen by Halley in 1714. Seen again Jan. 5 and 30, 1781. It is 
reported in the English Celestial Atlas.' (diam. 6') 

14. 17h 25m 14s (261d 18' 29") -3d 05' 45" 
(June 1, 1764) `Nebula without star, discovered in the garb which dresses the 
right arm of Ophiuchus, & situated on the parallel of Zeta Serpentis: This 
nebula is not large, its light is faint, one can see it nevertheless in an 
ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]; it is round, near it is a small star of 
9th magnitude; its position has been determined by comparison with Gamma 
Ophiuchi, & M. Messier has reported its position on the chart of the comet of 
1769. Memoirs de l'Academy, year 1775, plate IX. Seen again March 22, 1781.' 
(diam. 7') 

15. 21h 18m 41s (319d 40' 19") +10d 40' 03" 
(June 3, 1764) `Nebula without a star, between the head of Pegasus and that of 
Equuleus; it is round, in the center it is brilliant, its position was 
determined by comparison with Delta Equulei. M. Maraldi, in the Memoirs of the 
Academy of 1746, reports of this nebula: "I have found, he says, between the 
stars Epsilon Pegasi and Beta Equulei, a fairly bright nebulous star, which is 
composed of many stars; its right ascension is 319d 27' 6", and its northern 
declination is 11d 2' 22".' (diam. 3') 

16. 18h 05m 00s (271d 15' 03") -13d 51' 44" 
(June 3, 1764) `A cluster of small stars, enmeshed in a faint glow, near the 
tail of Serpens, at little distance to the parallel of Zeta of this 
constellation; with an inferior telescope this cluster appears like a nebula.' 
(diam. 8') 

17. 18h 07m 03s (271d 45' 48") -16d 14' 44" 
(June 3, 1764) `A train of light without stars, of 5 or 6 minutes in extent, 
in the shape of a spindle, & a little like that in Andromeda's belt [M31] but 
of a very faint light; there are two telescopic stars nearby & placed parallel 
to the equator. In a good sky one observes this nebula very well in an 
ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]. Reviewed 22 March 1781.' (diam. 5') 

18. 18h 06m 16s (271d 34' 03") -17d 13' 14" 
(June 3, 1764) `A cluster of small stars, a little below above nebula, No. 17, 
surrounded by slight nebulosity, this cluster is less obvious than the 
preceding, No. 16: with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL], this cluster 
appears like a nebula; but with a good telescope one sees nothing but stars.' 
(diam. 5') 

19. 16h 48m 07s (252d 01' 45") -25d 54' 46" 
(June 5, 1764) `Nebula without stars, on the parallel of Antares between 
Scorpius and the right foot of Ophiuchus: this nebula is round; one can see it 
very well with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]; the nearest neighboring 
known star to this nebula is 28 Ophiuchi, which is of mag. 6, according to 
Flamsteed.' (diam. 3') 

20. 17h 48m 16s (267d 04' 05") -22d 59' 10" 
(June 5, 1764) `Cluster of stars, a little above the Ecliptic, between the bow 
of Sagittarius & the right foot of Ophiuchus. Seen again March 22, 1781.' [see 
also description of M21] 

21. 17h 50m 07s (267d 31' 35") -22d 31' 25" 
(June 5, 1764) `Star cluster, near the preceding [M20]: The nearest 
neighboring known star to these two clusters is 11 Sagittarii, 7 mag, 
according to Flamsteed. The stars of both these clusters are of 8-9 magnitude, 
enveloped in nebulosity.' 

22. 18h 21m 55s (275d 28' 39") -24d 06' 11" 
(June 5, 1764) `Nebula, below the ecliptic, between the head and the bow of 
Sagittarius, near a star of 7th magnitude, 25 Sagittarii, according to 
Flamsteed, this nebula is round, it doesn't contain any star, & one can see it 
very well in an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]; the star Lambda 
Sagittarii served for determination [of its position]. Abraham Ihle, a German, 
discovered it in 1665, while observing Saturn. M. Le Gentil observed it in 
1747, & he made an engraving of it. Memoirs of the Academy, year 1759, page 
470. Seen again March 22, 1781; it is reported in the English Atlas.' (diam. 
6') 

23. 17h 42m 51s (265d 42' 50") -18d 45' 55" 
(June 20, 1764) `A star cluster, between the end of the bow of Sagittarius & 
the right foot of Ophiuchus, very near to 65 Ophiuchi, according to Flamsteed. 
The stars of this cluster are very close to one another. Its position was 
determined from Mu Sagittarii.' (diam. 15') 

24. 18h 01m 44s (270d 26' 00") -18d 26' 00" 
(June 20, 1764) `Cluster on the parallel of the preceding [M23] & near the end 
of the bow of Sagittarius, in the Milky Way: a large nebulosity in which there 
are many stars of different magnitudes: the light which is spread throughout 
this cluster is divided into several parts; it is the center of this cluster 
which has been determined [position].' (diam. 1d 30')

 
25. 18h 17m 40s (274d 25' 00") -19d 05' 00" 
(June 20, 1764) `A cluster of small stars in the neighborhood of the two 
previous clusters [M23 and M24], between the head & the end of the bow of 
Sagittarius: the nearest known star to this cluster is 21 Sagittarii, 6th 
magnitude, according to Flamsteed. The stars of this cluster are seen with 
difficulty with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]; no nebulosity can be 
seen. Its position has been determined from Mu Sagittarii.' (diam. 10') 

26. 18h 32m 22s (278d 05' 25") -9d 38' 14" 
(June 20, 1764) `A cluster near Eta and Omicron in Antinous [now Alpha and 
Delta Scuti], between which there is another one of more brightness: with a 
telescope of 3.5-foot [FL] one cannot distinguish them, one needs to employ a 
good instrument. This cluster contains no nebulosity.' (diam. 2') 

27. 19h 49m 27s (297d 21' 41") +22d 04' 00" 
(July 12, 1764) `Nebula without star, discovered in Vulpecula, between the two 
forepaws, & very near the star 14 of that constellation, of 5th magnitude 
according to Flamsteed; one can see it well with an ordinary telescope of 
3.5-foot [FL]; it appears of oval shape, & it contains no star. M. Messier has 
reported its position on the chart of the Comet of 1779, which was engraved 
for the volume of the Academy of the same year. Observed again January 31, 
1781.' (diam. 4') 

28. 18h 09m 58s (272d 29' 30") -24d 57' 11" 
(July 27, 1764) `Nebula discovered in the upper part of the bow of Sagittarius 
at about one degree from the star Lambda & little distant from the beautiful 
nebula which is between the head and the bow [M22]. It contains no star; it is 
round, it can only be seen difficultly with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot 
[FL]. Its position has been determined from Lambda Sagittarii. Observed again 
March 20, 1781.' (diam. 2') 

29. 20h 15m 38s (303d 54' 29") +37d 11' 57" 
(July 29, 1764) `A cluster of 7 or 8 very small stars, which are below Gamma 
Cygni, which one sees with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL] in the form 
of a nebula. Its position determined from Gamma Cygni. Reported on chart of 
the Comet of 1779.'

 
30. 21h 27m 05s (321d 46' 18") -24d 19' 04" 
(August 3, 1764) `Nebula discovered below the tail of Capricorn, very near to 
the star 41 of that constellation, of 6th magnitude, according to Flamsteed. 
One sees it with difficulty with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-foot [FL]. It is 
round & contains no star; its position determined from Zeta Capricorni, M. 
Messier reported it on chart of the Comet of 1759. Mem. Acad. 1760, pl. II.' 
(diam. 2') 

31. 0h 29m 46s (7d 26' 32") +39d 09' 32" 
(August 3, 1764) `The beautiful nebula of the belt of Andromeda, shaped like a 
spindle; M. Messier has investigated it with different instruments, & he 
didn't recognise a star: it resembles two cones or pyramides of light, opposed 
at their bases, the axes of which are in direction NW-SE; the two points of 
light or the apices are about 40 arc minutes apart; the common base of the 
pyramids is about 15'. This nebula was discovered by Simon Marius, & 
consequently observed by different astronomers. M. le Gentil has given a 
drawing in the Memoirs of the Academy for 1759, page 453. It is reported on 
the English Atlas.' (diam. 40') 
(Flammarion reports that Messier added a note in his personal copy of the 
catalog by hand: `I have employed different instruments, especially an 
excellent Gregorian telescope of 30 feet FL, the large mirror 6 inches in 
diameter, magnification 104x. The center of this nebula appears fairly clear 
in this instrument without any stars appearing. The light gradually diminishes 
until it becomes extinguished. The former measurements were made with a 
Newtonian telescope of 4.5 feet FL, provided with a silk thread micrometer. 
Diameter 40'. August 3, 1764.')

 
32. 0h 29m 50s (7d 27' 32") +38d 45' 34" 
(August 3, 1764) `Small nebula without stars, below & at some minutes 
[separation] from that of the belt of Andromeda [M31]; this small nebula is 
round, its light fainter than that of the belt. M. le Gentil has discovered it 
on October 29, 1749. M. Messier saw it, for the first time, in 1757, & he has 
not found any change.' (diam. 2') 

33. 1h 40m 37s (20d 09' 17") +29d 32' 25" 
(August 25, 1764) `Nebula discovered between the head of the Northern Fish [of 
Pisces] & the great Triangle, a bit distant from a star of 6th magnitude: The 
nebula is of a whitish light of almost even density [of brightness], however a 
little brighter along two-third of its diameter, & contains no star. One sees 
it with difficulty with an ordinary telescope of 1-foot [FL]. Its position was 
determined from Alpha Trianguli. Seen again September 27, 1780.' (diam. 15') 

34. 2h 27m 27s (36d 51' 37") +41d 39' 32" 
(August 25, 1764) `Cluster of small stars, between the head of Medusa (Algol) 
& the left foot of Andromeda, a little below the parallel of Gamma 
[Andromedae]: with an ordinary telescope of 3 foot [FL] one can distinguish 
the stars. Its position has been determined from Beta [Persei], the head of 
Medusa.' (diam. 15') 

35. 5h 54m 41s (88d 40' 09") +24d 33' 30" 
(August 30, 1764) `Cluster of very small stars, near the left foot of Castor, 
at a little distance from the stars Mu & Eta of that constellation [Gemini]. 
M. Messier has reported its position on the chart of the comet of 1770, Mem. 
Acad. 1771, pl. VII. Reported in the English Atlas.' (diam. 20')

 
36. 5h 20m 47s (80d 11' 42") +34d 08' 06" 
(September 2, 1764) `Cluster of stars in Auriga, near the star Phi: with an 
ordinary telescope of 3.5 foot [FL] one has pain to distinguish the stars, the 
cluster contains no nebulosity. Its position determined from Phi [Aurigae].' 
(diam. 9') 

37. 5h 37m 01s (84d 15' 12") +32d 11' 51" 
(September 2, 1764) `Cluster of small stars, little remote from the preceding 
[M36], above the parallel of chi Aurigae; the stars are smaller, more close 
together and enclosing some nebulosity; with an ordinary telescope of 3.5 feet 
[FL], one has pain to see the stars: this cluster is reported on the Chart of 
the second Comet of 1771, Mem. Acad. 1777.' (diam. 9') 
[Handwritten remark in Messier's copy:] Seen again 6th March [?], 1781. 

38. 5h 12m 41s (78d 10' 12") +36d 11' 51" 
(September 25, 1764) `Cluster of small stars in Auriga, near the star Sigma, 
little distant from the two preceding clusters [M36 and M37]; this one is of 
square shape & contains no nebulosity, if one takes care to examine it with a 
good telescope. Its extension is about 15' of arc.' (diam. 15') 

39. 21h 23m 49s (320d 57' 10") +47d 25' 00" 
(October 24, 1764) `Cluster of stars near the tail of the Swan; one can see 
them with an ordinary telescope of 3.5 feet [FL].' (diam. 1d 00') 

40. 12h 11m 02s (182d 45' 30") +59d 23' 50" 
(October 24, 1764) [1771] `The same night on October 24-25, [1764] I searched 
for the nebula above the tail of the Great Bear, which is indicated in the 
book Figure of the Stars, second edition. Its position in 1660 was right 
ascension 183d 32' 41", declination 60d 20' 33". By means of this position, I 
found two stars very near each other and of equal brightness, about 9th 
magnitude, placed at the beginning of the tail of the Great Bear. One can 
hardly distinguish them in an ordinary (nonachromatic) refractor of 6 feet 
[FL]. Their position is 182 deg 45' 30", +59 deg 23' 50". We presume that 
Hevelius mistook these two stars for a nebula.' 
[1780 and 1781] `Two stars very close together & very small, placed at the 
root of the tail of the Great Bear: One has difficulty to distinguish them 
with an ordinary telescope of 6 feet [FL]. While searching for the nebula 
above the back of Ursa Major, reported in the book Figures des Astres, and 
which is supposed to be for 1660 at 183d 32' 41" right ascension, & 60d 20' 
33" northern declination, which Messier couldn't see, he has observed these 
two stars.' 
[actually, it seems that Hevelius has observed another nearby binary, 74 Ursae 
Majoris, of mag 5] 

41. 6h 35m 53s (98d 58' 12") -20d 33' 00" 
(January 16, 1765) `Cluster of stars below Sirius, near Rho Canis Majoris; 
this cluster appears nebulous in an ordinary telescope of one foot [FL]; it is 
nothing more than a cluster of small stars.' 

42. 5h 23m 59s (80d 59' 40") -5d 34' 06" 
(March 4, 1769) `Position of the beautiful nebula in the sword of Orion, 
around the star Theta which ii contains [together] with three other smaller 
stars which one cannot see but with good instruments. Messier has entered into 
the great details in this great nebula; he has created a drawing, made with 
the greatest care, which one can see in the Memoirs of the Academy for 1771, 
plate VIII. It was Huygens who discovered it in 1656: it has been observed 
since by many astronomers. Reported in the English Atlas.' 

43. 5h 24m 12s (81d 03' 00") -5d 26' 37" 
(March 4, 1769) `Position of the little star surrounded by nebulosity & which 
is below the nebula of the sward of Orion. M. Messier has included it in the 
drawing of the Great [Nebula].' 

44. 8h 07m 22s (126d 50' 30") +20d 31' 38" 
(March 4, 1769) `Cluster of stars known by the name of the nebula in Cancer. 
The position given is that of the star C.' 

45. 3h 33m 48s (53d 27' 04") +23d 22' 41" 
(March 4, 1769) `A cluster of stars, known by the name of the Pleiades. The 
position reported is that of the star Alcyone.' 

46. 7h 31m 11s (112d 47' 43") -14d 19' 07" 
(February 19, 1771) `A cluster of very small stars, between the head of the 
Great Dog and the two hind feet of the Unicorn, [its position] determined by 
comparing this cluster with the star 2 Navis, of 6th-magnitude, according to 
Flamsteed; one cannot see these stars but with a good refractor; the cluster 
contains a bit of nebulosity.' 

47. 7h 44m 16s (116d 03' 58") -14d 50' 08" 
(February 19, 1771) `Cluster of stars, little distant from the preceding; the 
stars are greater [brighter]; the middle of the cluster was compared with the 
same star, 2 Navis. The cluster contains no nebulosity.' 
(At the position recorded by Messier, which also found its way into John 
Herschel's GC as GC 1594 and, consequently, into Dreyer's NGC as NGC 2478, no 
cluster is found, so that this object was missed, until Oswald Thomas 
identified it correctly but perhaps by chance in 1934 as Herschel's cluster H 
VIII.38 (NGC 2422), and T.F. Morris, in 1959, realized that Messier had done a 
simple sign error in RA difference when reducing the positional data.) 

48. 8h 02m 24s (120d 36' 00") -1d 16' 42" 
(February 19, 1771) `Cluster of very small [faint] stars, without nebulosity; 
this cluster is at a short distance from the three stars that form the 
beginning of the Unicorn's tail.' 
(As for M47, Messier did a reduction error, this time giving a position 
exactly 5 degrees north of the object, so that M48 was missing until T.F. 
Morris identified it in 1959 (with Herschel's H VI.22, NGC 2548).)

 
49. 12h 17m 48s (184d 26' 58") +9d 16' 09" 
(February 19, 1771) `Nebula discovered near the star Rho Virginis. One cannot 
see it without difficulty with an ordinary telescope of 3.5-feet [FL]. The 
Comet of 1779 was compared by M. Messier with this nebula on April 22 and 23: 
The comet and the nebula had the same light. M. Messier has reported this 
nebula on the chart of the route of the comet, which appeared in the volume of 
the Academy of the same year 1779. Seen again on April 10, 1781.' 

50. 6h 51m 50s (102d 57' 28") -7d 57' 42" 
(April 5, 1772) `Cluster of small stars, more or less brilliant, above the 
right loins of the Unicorn, above the star Theta of the ear of Canis Major, & 
near a star of 7th magnitude. It was while observing the Comet of 1772 that M. 
Messier observed this cluster. He has reported it on the chart of that comet, 
on which its trace has been drawn. Mem. Acad. 1772.' 

51. 13h 20m 23s (200d 05' 48") +48d 24' 24" 
(January 11, 1774) `Very faint nebula, without stars, near the eye of the 
Northern Greyhound [hunting dog], below the star Eta of 2nd magnitude of the 
tail of Ursa Major: M. Messier discovered this nebula on October 13, 1773, 
while he was watching the comet visible at that time. One cannot see this 
nebula without difficulties with an ordinary telescope of 3.5 foot [FL]: Near 
it is a star of 8th magnitude. M. Messier reported its position on the Chart 
of the Comet observed in 1773 & 1774. Memoires of the Academy 1774, plate III. 
It is double, each has a bright center, which are separated 4'35". The two 
"atmospheres" touch each other, the one is even fainter than the other. 
Reobserved several times.' 
[Handwritten note in Messier's personal copy of the 1780 version of the 
catalog:] M. Mechain has seen that nebula on March 21, 1781 .. [included is a 
sketch of the two "nebulae" and a star] 

52. 23h 14m 38s (348d 39' 27") +60d 22' 12" 
(September 7, 1774) `Cluster of very small [faint] stars, mingled with 
nebulosity, which can be seen only with an achromatic telescope. It was when 
he observed the Comet which appeared in this year that M. Messier saw this 
cluster, which was close to the comet on the 7th of September 1774; it is 
below the star d Cassiopeiae: that star was used to determine [the position 
of] both the cluster of stars & the comet.' 

53. 13h 02m 02s (195d 30' 26") +19d 22' 44" 
(February 26, 1777) `Nebula without stars discovered below & near Coma 
Berenices, a little distant from the star 42 in that constellation, according 
to Flamsteed. This nebula is round and conspicuous. The Comet of 1779 was 
compared directly with this nebula, & M. Messier has reported it on the chart 
of that comet, which will be included in the volume of the Academy for 1779. 
Observed again April 13, 1781: It resembles the nebula which is below Lepus 
(M79).' 

54. 18h 40m 52s (280d 12' 55") -30d 44' 01" 
(July 24, 1778) `Very faint nebula, discovered in Sagittarius; its center is 
brilliant & it contains no star, seen with an achromatic telescope of 3.5 feet 
[FL]. Its position has been determined from Zeta Sagittarii, of 3rd 
magnitude.' 

55. 19h 26m 02s (291d 30' 25") -31d 26' 27" 
(July 24, 1778) `A nebula which is a whitish spot, of about 6' extension, its 
light is even and does not appear to contain any star. Its position has been 
determined from zeta Sagittarii, with the use of an intermediate star of 7th 
magnitude. This nebula has been discovered by M. l'Abbe de LaCaille, see Mem. 
Acad. 1755, p. 194 [Glyn Jones has erroneously 1775]. M. Messier has looked 
for it in vain on July 29, 1764, as reported in his memoir.'

 
56. 19h 08m 00s (287d 00' 01") +29d 48' 14" 
(January 23, 1779) `Nebula without stars, having little light; M. Messier 
discovered it on the same day as he found the comet of 1779, January 19. On 
the 23rd, he determined its position by comparing it with the star 2 Cygni, 
following Flamsteed. It is near the Milky Way and close to it is a 6 mag star. 
M. Messier reported it on the chart of the comet of 1779.' 

57. 18h 45m 21s (281d 20' 08") +32d 46' 03" 
(January 31, 1779) `A patch of light between gamma and beta Lyrae, found when 
looking for the comet of 1779 which passed close. It seems that this patch of 
light which is round, must be composed of very small stars but with the best 
telescope it is impossible to distinguish them; they are merely suspected. M. 
Messier reported this patch of light on the chart of the comet of 1779. M. 
Darquier of Toulouse discovered it when observing the same comet, and reports: 
"Nebula between gamma and beta Lyrae; it is very dull, but perfectly outlined; 
as large as Jupiter, and it looks like a fading planet".' 
(was it this description which gave rise to the term, "Planetary Nebula" ?) 

58. 12h 26m 30s (186d 37' 23") +13d 02' 42" 
(April 15, 1779) `Very faint nebula discovered in Virgo, almost on the same 
parallel as epsilon [Virginis], 3rd mag. With the slightest illumination of 
the micrometer wires, it disappears. M. Messier reported it on the chart of 
the comet of 1779.'

 
59. 12h 30m 47s (187d 41' 38") +12d 52' 36" 
(April 15, 1779) `A nebula in Virgo, in the neighborhood of the preceding 
[M58] on the parallel of epsilon [Virginis], which was used to determine its 
position. It is of the same light as the above and as faint. M. Messier 
reported it on the chart of the comet of 1779.'

 
60. 12h 32m 28s (188d 06' 53") +12d 46' 02" 
(April 15, 1779) `A nebula in Virgo, a little more distinct than the two 
preceding [M58 and M59], on the same parallel as epsilon [Virginis] which was 
used to determine its position. M. Messier reported it on the chart of the 
comet of 1779. He discovered this three nebulae while observing the comet which 
passed very close to them. The latter passed so near on April 13 and April 14 
that they were both in the same field of view and he could not see it. It was 
not until the 15th, while looking for the comet, that he perceived the nebula. 
None of the three nebulae appears to contain a star.' 

61. 12h 10m 44s (182d 41' 05") +5d 42' 05" 
(May 11, 1779) `A nebula, very faint and difficult to distinguish. M. Messier 
mistook this nebula for the comet of 1779 on the 5th, 6th, and 11th of May. On 
the 11th he found it was not a comet but a nebula which was on its path and in 
the same part of the sky.' 

62. 16h 47m 14s (251d 48' 24") -29d 45' 30" 
(June 4, 1779) `A very fine nebula; it resembles a little comet. It is bright 
in the center and is surrounded by a faint glow. M. Messier had seen this 
nebula before on June 7, 1771, but obtained only its approximate position. 
Reviewed March 22, 1781.' 

63. 13h 04m 22s (196d 05' 30") +43d 12' 37" 
(June 14, 1779) `Nebula discovered by M. Mechain. M. Messier looked for it; it 
is faint, it has nearly the same light as M59. Contains no star and with the 
slightest illumination of the micrometer wires, it disappears. Near to it is 
an 8 mag. star, preceding the nebula. M. Messier reported its position on the 
chart of the comet of 1779.' 

64. 12h 45m 51s (191d 27' 38") +22d 52' 31" 
(March 1, 1780) `Nebula discovered in Coma Berenices which is about half as 
bright as that which is below the hair [M53]. M. Messier has reported its 
position on the chart of the comet of 1779. Reviewed March 17, 1781.' 

65. 11h 07m 24s (166d 50' 54") +14d 16' 08" 
(March 1, 1780) `Nebula discovered in Leo: It is very faint and contains no 
star.' 

66. 11h 08m 47s (167d 11' 39") +14d 12' 21" 
(March 1, 1780) `Nebula discovered in Leo; the light is very faint and it is 
very close to the preceding [M65]: They both appear in the same telescopic 
field. The comet of 1773-74 passed between them on Nov. 2, 1773, and M. 
Messier no doubt missed them because of the light of the comet.' 

67. 8h 36m 28s (129d 06' 57") +12d 36' 38" 
(April 6, 1780) `A cluster of small stars with nebulosity below the southern 
claw of the Crab. The position determined from the star Alpha [Cancri].'

 
68. 12h 27m 38s (186d 54' 33") -25d 30' 20" 
(April 9, 1780) `Nebula without stars in Hydra; it is very faint, very 
difficult to see in the telescope; near to it is a 6 mag. star.'

 
69. 18h 16m 47s (274d 11' 46") -32d 31' 45" 
(August 31, 1780) `Nebula without star in Sagittarius. Near to it is a 9 mag 
star; the light is very faint; can be seen only in a good sky, and the least 
illumination of the micrometer wires extinguishes it. The position was 
determined from epsilon Sagittarii. This nebula has been observed by M. de La 
Caille and reported in his catalogue. It resembles the nucleus of a little 
comet.' (diam 2') 

70. 18h 28m 53s (277d 13' 16") -32d 31' 07" 
(August 31, 1780) `Nebula without star, near the preceding [M69] and on the 
same parallel. Near to it is a 9 mag star and four small telescopic stars, 
almost in the same straight line, close to one another and situated below the 
nebula as seen in a reversing telescope. The [position of the] nebula was 
determined from the star epsilon Sagittarii.' (diam 2') 

71. 19h 43m 57s (295d 59' 06") +18d 13' 00" 
Mechain: (296d 00' 04") +18d 14' 21"
(October 4, 1780) `Nebula discovered by M. Mechain on June 28, 1780, between 
the stars gamma and delta Sagittae. On October 4 following, M. Messier looked 
for it. The light is very faint and it contains no star. The least light 
extinguishes it. It is situated about 4 degrees below that which M. Messier 
discovered in Vulpecula, see No. 27. It was reported on the chart of the comet 
of 1779.' (diam 3.5') 

72. 20h 41m 23s (310d 20' 49") -13d 20' 51" 
Mechain: (310d 21' 10") -13d 21' 24"
(October 4, 1780) `Nebula seen by M. Mechain on the night of August 29-30, 
1780, above the neck of Capricorn. M. Messier looked for it on the 4th and 5th 
October following: the light is as faint as the preceding [M71]. Near to it is 
a little telescopic star: the position was determined from the star nu 
Aquarii, 5th mag.' (diam 2') 

73. 20h 46m 52s (311d 43' 04") -13d 28' 40" 
(October 4 & 5, 1780) `A cluster of three or four small stars which looks like 
a nebula at first sight; it contains a little nebulosity: it is on the same 
parallel as the preceding nebula [M72]. The position was determined from the 
same star, nu Aquarii.' 

74. 1h 24m 57s (21d 14' 09") +14d 39' 35" 
Mechain: (21d 17' 00") +14d 36' 00"
(October 18, 1780) `Nebula without stars, near the star eta Piscium, seen by 
M. Mechain at the end of September 1780, who reports: "This nebula contains no 
star; it is fairly large, very obscure, and extremely difficult to observe; 
one can make it out with more certainty in fine, frosty conditions". M. 
Messier looked for it and found it as M. Mechain describes: it has been 
compared directly with the star eta Piscium.' 

75. 19h 53m 10s (298d 17' 24") -22d 32' 23" 
Mechain: (298d 17' 30") -22d 32' 00"
(October 18, 1780) `Nebula without star between Sagittarius and the head of 
Capricorn; seen by M. Mechain on August 27 and 28, 1780. M. Messier looked for 
it on the following October 5, and on October 18, compared it [i.e., its 
position] with the star 4 Capricorni. It seemed to M. Messier to be composed 
of very small stars and to contain nebulosity. M. Messier saw it on October 5 
but the Moon being above the horizon, it was not until the 18th of the same 
month that he was able to make out its form and determine its position.' 

76. 1h 28m 43s (22d 10' 47") +50d 28' 48" 
Mechain: (22d 10' 26") +50d 28' 12"
(October 21, 1780) `Nebula on the right foot of Andromeda, seen by M. Mechain 
September 5, 1780, who reports: "This nebula contains no star; it is small and 
faint". On the following October 21, M. Messier looked for it with his 
achromatic telescope and it seemed to him that it comprised only small stars 
containing nebulosity abd that the least light employed to illuminate the 
micrometer wires causes it disappear. The position was determined from the 
star phi Andromedae, 4th mag.' (diam. 2') 

77. 2h 31m 30s (37d 52' 33") -0d 57' 43" 
Mechain: (37d 52' 58") -0d 57' 44"
(December 17, 1780) `A cluster of small stars which contains some nebulosity 
in the Whale and to the parallel of the star delta, reported of the 3rd mag, 
but which M. Messier estimates to be of the 5th. M. Mechain saw this cluster 
on October 29.' 

78. 5h 35m 34s (83d 53' 35") -0d 01' 23" 
Mechain: (83d 53' 02") -0d 00' 31"
(December 17, 1780) `A cluster of stars with much nebulosity in Orion and on 
the same parallel as the star delta in the belt which was used to determine 
its position; the cluster is 3d 41' following [east of] the star and 27'7" 
north. M. Mechain had seen this cluster at the beginning of 1780, and 
reported: "On the left side of Orion [Glyn Jones has, erroneously, the right]; 
2'-3' diameter, one can see two fairly bright nuclei, surrounded by 
nebulosity".' (diam. 3') 

79. 5h 15m 16s (78d 49' 02") -24d 42' 57" 
Mechain: (78d 47' 10") -24d 44' 46"
(December 17, 1780) `Nebula without star, situated below Lepus and on the same 
parallel as a star of 6th mag. Seen by M. Mechain, October 26, 1780. M. 
Messier looked for it on the following December 17. This nebula is a fine one, 
the center brilliant, the nebulosity a little diffuse; its position was 
determined from the star epsilon Leporis, 4th mag.' 

80. 16h 04m 00s (240d 59' 48") -22d 25' 13" 
Mechain: (241d 00' 26") -22d 27' 58"
(January 4, 1781) `Nebula without star in the Scorpion, between the stars g. 
[now rho Ophiuchi] and delta; compared with g. to determine its position. This 
nebula is round, the center brilliant, and it resembles the nucleus of a 
little comet, surrounded with nebulosity. M. Mechain saw it on January 27, 
1781.' (diam. 2') 

81. 9h 37m 51s (144d 27' 44") +70d 07' 24" 
Mechain: (144d 27' 00") +70d 04' 00"
(February 9, 1781) `A nebula near the ear of the Great Bear, on the parallel 
of the star d. of 4th or 5th mag. Its position was determined from that star. 
This nebula is a little oval, the center clear and can be seen well in an 
ordinary telescope of 3.5 feet [FL]. It was discovered by M. Bode at Berlin on 
December 31, 1774, and by M. Mechain in August 1779.' 

82. 9h 37m 57s (144d 29' 22") +70d 44' 27" 
Mechain: (144d 28' 13") +70d 43' 05"
(February 9, 1781) `Nebula without star, near the preceding [M81], both 
appearing in the same field of the telescope. This one is less distinct than 
the preceding; the light is faint and elongated with a telescopic star at its 
extremity. Seen at Berlin by M. Bode on December 31, 1774, and by M. Mechain 
in August 1779.' 

83. 13h 24m 33s (201d 08' 13") -28d 42' 27" 
(February 17, 1781) `Nebula without star near the head of Centaurus: it 
appears as a faint and even glow but it is difficult to see in the telescope 
as the least illumination of the micrometer wires makes it disappear: only 
with the greatest concentration is one able to see it at all. It forms a 
triangle with two stars estimated at 6th and 7th mag. Position was determined 
from the stars i, k and h in the head of Centaurus. M. de la Caille has 
already determined this nebula. See the end of this list.' 

84. 12h 14m 01s (183d 30' 21") +14d 07' 01" 
(March 18, 1781) `Nebula without star in Virgo. In the center it is pretty 
bright and surrounded with a slight nebulosity. The brightness and general 
appearance are similar to M59 and M60.' 

85. 12h 14m 21s (183d 35' 21") +19d 24' 26" 
Mechain: (183d 35' 45") +19d 23' 00"
(March 18, 1781) `Nebula without star, above and near to the ear of Virgo 
between the two stars in Coma Berenices, Nos. 11 and 14 of Flamsteed's 
catalogue: This nebula is very faint. M. Mechain has determined its position 
on March 4, 1781.' 

86. 12h 15m 05s (183d 46' 21") +14d 09' 52" 
(March 18, 1781) `Nebula without star in Virgo on the same parallel and very 
near to the nebula No. 84 above: they both have the same appearance and are 
seen together in the same field of the telescope.' 

87. 12h 19m 48s (184d 57' 06") +13d 38' 01" 
(March 18, 1781) `Nebula without star in Virgo, below and very near an 8 mag. 
star, the star having the same R.A. as the nebula, and its Dec. was 13d 42' 
21" north. This nebula appears to have the same light as the two nebulae, Nos. 
84 and 86.' 

88. 12h 21m 03s (185d 15' 49") +15d 37' 51" 
(March 18, 1781) `Nebula without star in Virgo, between two small stars and 
one of mag. 6 which appear at the same time as the nebula in the field of the 
telescope. It is one of the fainter nebulae and resembles the one reported in 
Virgo as No. 58.' 

89. 12h 24m 38s (186d 09' 36") +13d 46' 49" 
(March 18, 1781) `Nebula without star in Virgo, a little distance from and on 
the same parallel as the nebula reported above, No. 87. Its light was 
extremely faint and pale and it can be seen only with difficulty.' 

90. 12h 25m 48s (186d 27' 00") +14d 22' 50" 
(March 18, 1781) `Nebula without star in Virgo. Its light is as faint as the 
preceding, No. 89.' 

91. 12h 26m 28s (186d 37m 00s) +14d 57' 06" 
(March 18, 1781) `Nebula without star in Virgo, above the preceding No. 90: 
its light is still fainter than that above.' 
(At the position Messier has given, no object is present which he could have 
seen, thus M91 was missing until 1969, when William C. Williams discovered 
that Messier had probably measured its position from M89, while he thought he 
used M58, and plotted it wrong.) 
(Following the entry for M91 in the Connaissance des Temps for 1784, Messier 
added the note below:)
`The constellation of Virgo and especially the northern Wing is one of the 
constellations which encloses the most nebulae. This catalogue contains 13 
which have been determined, viz. Nos. 49, 58, 59, 60, 61, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 
89, 90, and 91. All these nebulae appear to be without stars, and can be seen 
only in a good sky and near meridian passage. Most of these nebulae have been 
pointed to me by M. Mechain.' 
(This notion is apparently the first impact of the Virgo cluster of galaxies 
into the scientific literature, i.e. the discovery of that galaxy cluster). 

92. 17h 10m 32s (257d 38' 03") +43d 21' 59" 
(March 18, 1781) `A fine, distinct and very bright nebula in Hercules; it can 
be easily seen in a telescope of one foot. It contains no star, the center is 
clear and bright, surrounded by nebulosity and it resembles the nucleus of a 
large comet. In size and brightness it closely resembles the nebula which is 
in the belt of Hercules -- see No. 13 of this catalogue. Its position has been 
determined by direct comparison with the star Sigma Herculis, 4th mag.: the 
nebula and the star are on the same parallel.' (diam. 5')

 
93. 7h 35m 14s (113d 48' 35") -23d 19' 45" 
(March 20, 1781) `A cluster of small stars without nebulosity between Canis 
Major and the prow of Navis.' (diam 8') 

94. 12h 40m 43s (190d 10' 46") +42d 18' 43" 
Mechain: (190d 09' 38") +42d 18' 50"
(March 24, 1781) `Nebula without star above Charles' Heart [alpha Canum 
Venaticorum]. On the same parallel as the star Beta. It is brilliant in the 
center and the nebulosity is a little diffuse. It resembles the nebula which 
is below Lepus, No. 79, but is finer and brighter. M. Mechain made its 
discovery on March 22, 1781.' (diam. 2.5') 

95. 10h 32m 12s (158d 03' 05") +12d 50' 21" 
Mechain: (158d 06' 23") +12d 49' 50"
(March 24, 1781) `Nebula without star in Leo above star "l" (53 Leonis): its 
light is very faint.' 

96. 10h 35m 05s (158d 46' 20") +12d 58' 09" 
Mechain: (158d 48' 00") +12d 57' 33" (March 24, 1781) `Nebula without star 
near the preceding (No. 95): this one is less distinct; both are on the same 
parallel to Regulus. They resemble the two nebulae in Virgo, Nos. 84 and 86. 
M. Mechain saw them both on March 20, 1781.' 

97. 11h 01m 15s (161d 18' 40") +56d 13' 30" 
(actually, an erroneous "A" for "Australis", thus "Southern dec" appears at 
least in the reprint in Mallas/Kreimer's Messier Album) 
(March 24, 1781) `Nebula in Ursa Major, near Beta. "It is difficult to see," 
reports M. Mechain, "especially when one illuminates the micrometer wires: its 
light is faint, without a star." M. Mechain saw it the first time on Feb 16, 
1781, and the position is that given by him. Near this nebula, he saw another 
one yet to be determined [M108], and also a third which is near Gamma Ursae 
Majoris [M109].' (diam. 2') 
(The two nebulae mentioned here have been entitled M108 and M109 by Owen 
Gingerich in 1953, see the additional Messier objects.) 

98. 12h 03m 23s (180d 50' 49") +16d 08' 15" 
(April 13, 1781) `Nebula without stars, of an extremely faint light, above the 
northern wing of Virgo; on the same parallel as, and near to the star No. 6, 
5th mag. of Coma Berenices, after Flamsteed. M. Mechain saw it on Mar 15, 
1781.' 

99. 12h 07m 41s (181d 55' 19") +15d 37' 12" 
(April 13, 1781) `Nebula without stars, of a very pale light, nevertheless a 
little clearer than the preceding, M98. On the northern wing of Virgo and near 
the same star, 6 Comae Berenices. The nebula is between two stars of 7 and 8 
mag. M. Mechain saw it on March 15, 1781.' 

100. 12h 11m 57s (182d 59m 19s) +16d 59' 21" 
(April 13, 1781) `Nebula without stars; it has the same light as the 
preceding: in the ear of Virgo. Seen by M. Mechain March 15, 1781. The three 
nebulae, Nos. 98, 99 and 100, are very difficult to recognize because of their 
feeble light: one can observe them only in good weather and near medium 
passage.' 

101. 13h 43m 28s (208d 52' 42") +55d 24' 25" 
(March 27, 1781) `Nebula without stars, very obscure and pretty large, 6' or 
7' diam. between the left hand of Bootes and the tail of the Great Bear. 
Difficult to distinguish when graticule lit.' (diam. 7') 

102. 
(Mechain) `Nebula between the stars omicron Bootis and iota Draconis: it is 
very faint, near it is a star of 6th magnitude.' 
(Handwritten position added by Messier in his personal copy: 14h 40m, +56.) 
(The discoverer, Pierre Mechain, disclaimed the discovery of this object in 
his letter to Bernoulli, written May 6, 1783, and declared it was an erroneous 
reobservation of M101. However, his description matches well with an existing 
object, NGC 5866, as may Messier's position measurement, if one takes an error 
of exactly 5 degrees in right ascension into account. This issue was ever 
since, and is still, subject to controversial discussion. Anyway, M102 was 
missed for more than a century.) 

103. 
(Mechain) `A cluster of stars between epsilon and delta of the leg of 
Cassiopeia.' 
(Handwritten position added by Messier in his personal copy: 1h 20m, +61.) 

104. 12h 28m 39s (187d 9' 42") -10d 24' 49" 
(Messier's handwritten note in his copy of the Connaissance des Temps for 
1784) `May 11, 1781. Very faint nebula.' [A position follows which agrees with 
Herschel's H I.43, according to Camille Flammarion, see below] 
(Mechain in his letter to Bernoulli, May 6, 1783) `On May 11, 1781, I 
discovered a nebula above Corvus which did not appear to contain a single 
star. It emits a weak light and is difficult to find if the micrometer wires 
are illuminated. This does not appear in the Connaissance des Temps.' 
(Flammarion: `It has the position of the nebula H I.43 found by Wm. Herschel, 
and is No. 4594 of the NGC of Dreyer. We can add it to Messier's catalogue and 
give it the number 104. The result is that Messier's catalogue from now on is 
reckoned as numbering 104 instead of 103.') 

105. 
(Mechain in his letter to Bernoulli, May 6, 1783) `Near M95 and M96 there is a 
third, somewhat more northerly and even brighter than the others. I discovered 
this on March 24, 1781, four or five days after the other two.' 

106. 
(Mechain in his letter to Bernoulli, May 6, 1783) `In July 1781 I found 
another nebula close to Ursa Major, near the star No. 3 of Canes Venatici and 
1 deg further south.' 

107. 
(Mechain in his letter to Bernoulli, May 6, 1783) `In April 1782, I discovered 
a small nebula on the left flank of Ophiuchus between the stars Zeta and Phi 
Ophiuchi.' 

108. 
(from the description of M97) `Nebula near [M97 and Beta UMa], [position] yet 
to be determined.' 
(Messier added a position by hand which was identified by Owen Gingerich in 
1953 as that of H V.46 = NGC 3556, which is now called M108) 
(manuscript:) Nebula near the preceding .. it is even fainter: it is 48 or 49' 
further north and 30 min .. following in RA: Found by M. Mechain 2 or 3 days 
after the preceding [18 or 19 Feb 1781] 

109. 
(from the description of M97) `A Nebula which is near Gamma UMa.' 
(Messier added a position by hand which was identified by Owen Gingerich in 
1953 as that of H IV.61 = NGC 3992, which is now called M109) 
(manuscript:) Nebula near Gamma UMa, [same ? ] right ascension a bit near this 
star and 1 deg .. more south. Discovered by M. Mechain on 12 March 1781

 
110. 
(Messier on a drawing of M31 and companions published 1807) `Messier 1773. 
Petite Nebuleuse, plus faible.' (Small nebula, very faint.)