|
|
|
|
The French astronomer Charles Messier published a catalog of fuzzy objects, which he observed while searching for comets. These objects was often confused with comets, so Messier's catalog was so useful to comet hunters. Not only comet hunters but also astronomers have used his catalog to name some nebulae and clusters. Messier's catalog consists of two elements, 'M' and a number. 'M' means that this catalog is Messier's and the number is the order of Messier's catalog. M42 is the 42nd object of Messer's catalog, and it is also known as 'Orion Nebula', whose photo is beside the M42 banner.
M42 is in the Orion constellation region. If you live on the northern hemisphere, you can see it at winter night. It is one of few non-stellar objects which is visible with naked eyes.
