| Description | Discovered by Méchain and recorded October 18, 1780: "Nebula without stars, near the star Eta Piscium, seen by M. Méchain at the end of September 1780, & he reports: 'This nebula doesn't contain any stars; it is fairly large, very obscure, and extremely difficult to observe; one can recognize it with more certainty in fine, frosty conditions'. M. Messier looked for it & found it, as M. Méchain describes it..." <--> Not for nothing is this Galaxy nicknamed the "Phantom Galaxy" as it exhibits the lowest surface brightness of any Messier object. For no particularly good reason, it always seems to be in an awkward position when I'm ready to observe it. This observation, perhaps my 3rd or 4th, was enhanced by converting from color and processing the image in monochrome. That said, it's a gorgeous grand-design spiral, large and face on. |
