Cluster M16 (NGC 6611) discovered by Philippe Loys de Cheseaux in 1745-46.
Independently rediscovered, and nebula IC 4703 discovered, by Charles Messier
on June 3, 1764.
[Mem. Acad. for 1771, p. 442 (first Messier catalog)]
In the same night of June 3 to 4, 1764, I have discovered a cluster of small
stars, mixed with a faint light, near the tail of Serpens, at little distance
from the parallel of the star Zeta of that constellation: this cluster may
have 8 minutes of arc in extension: with a weak refractor, these stars appear
in the form of a nebula; but when employing a good instrument one
distinguishes these stars, & one remarkes in addition a nebulosity which
contains three of these stars. I have determined the position of the middle
of this cluster; its right ascension was 271d 15' 3", & its declination
13d 51' 44" south.
[p. 455]
1764.Jun.3. RA: 271.15. 3, Dec: 13.51.44.A, Diam: 0. 8.
Cluster of small stars mixed with nebulosity, near the tail of Serpens,
little distant from the parallel of the star Zeta of that constellation.
[*] Though I have written equatorial as a difference between the instrument and its equatorial relations, I have only custom to plead in justification. Thus the rare tract which Ramsden printed in 1774, is intitulated, a Description of a new universal Equatoreal. A copy of it is preserved in the British Museum, in the Opuscula Philosophica. (486.)
IC 4703. Roberts.
RA 18h 11m .., NPD 103d 50' (1860.0)
RA 18h 13m .., NPD 103d 49' (1900.0)
B, eL, Cl M16 inv
Bright, extremely large, cluster M16 involved.
[NGC 2000.0 erroneously classifies IC 4703 as an Open Cluster but that is
already M16]
Last Modification: January 2, 2005