Discovered on May 28, 1764 by Charles Messier.
[Mem. Acad. for 1771, p. 439 (first Messier catalog)]
In the night of May 28 to 29, 1764, I have determined the position of a new
nebula which is situated in the right leg of Ophiuchus, between the
stars Eta and Rho of that constellation; that nebula doesn't contain any
star; I have examined it with a Gregorian telescope which magnifies 104
times; it is round its light is faint, & its diameter is about 3 minutes
of arc: its right ascension is 256d 20' 36", & its declination
18d 13' 26" south.
[p. 455]
1764.May.28. RA: 256.20.36, Dec: 18.13.26.A, Diam: 0. 3.
Nebula without stars, in the right leg of Ophiuchus, between the stars
Eta & Rho of that constellation.
[PT 1814, p. 278, reprinted in Scientific Papers, Vol. 2, p. 538]
Connoiss. 9 [M 9 = NGC 6333] is "A cluster of very compressed and
extremely small stars. It is a miniature of the 53d [M53]."
[PT 1818, p. 437-438, reprinted in Scientific Papers, Vol. 2, p. 596]
The 9th of the Connoissance.
"1783, 10 feet telescope, power 250. I see several stars in it; and have no
doubt a higher power and more light will resolve it into stars."
"1784, 1786, 20 feet telescope. A cluster of extremely compressed stars; it
is a miniature of the 53d [M 53]."
By the observations of the 10 feet the profundity is at least of the 344th
order. It is in the preceding branch of the milky way.
Last Modification: February 5, 2005