The family was not very well off, not surprising considering his mother gave birth to twelve children, Charles being the tenth. Charles Messier was born on 26 June 1730 in Badonviller, Lorraine, France. Certainly Messier's equipment would be considered substandard today. Messier wanted to find comets as an astronomer, despite the tools of his time being very limited. The Messier objects are named after the French astronomer Charles Messier, born on June 26, 1730. Charles Messier (French: [ʃaʁl me.sje]; 26 June 1730 – 12 April 1817) was a French astronomer.He published an astronomical catalogue consisting of 110 nebulae and faint star clusters, which came to be known as the Messier objects.The purpose of the catalogue was to help astronomical observers distinguish between permanent and transient visually diffuse objects in the sky. Later when the achromatic refractor became available he used several 3.5 inch 120x achromatics. NASA says it "was one of the first galaxies recognized to have a spiral shape." Astronomer Charles Messier discovered the spiral galaxy M58 in 1779. Compared to the powerful telescopes we see today, the equipment at that time was rudimentary, at best. Within those 87 years a rich history took place of one of a few great astronomers. Based at an observatory in the Hôtel de Cluny in central Paris, he became one of the most famous comet hunters of his time with at least 13 comets to his credit, along with observations of many others. Messier produced He lived for 87 years where he died on April 12, 1817. 12, 1817 (at age 86) Paris, France Nationality French Charles Messier was a French astronomer. Charles Messier Astronomer Specialty Messier catalog Born June 26, 1730 Badonviller, France Died Apr. Charles Messier was born in Badonviller, eastern France, on 26 June 1730. His father Nicholas Messier was on the administration of the princes of salm. Short biography of Charles Messier >> Science Quotes by Charles Messier (1 quote) What caused me to undertake the catalog was the nebula I discovered above the southern horn of Taurus on September 12, 1758, while observing the comet of that year. Origins of Messier Objects. His father was a sheriff's officer who chased up people who owed money. Charles Messier was born on June 26, 1730 in Badonviller, France. Charles Messier (1730 - 1817) Charles Messier was born in Badonviller, Meurthe-et-Moselle, Lorraine, France. He was particularly noted for producing a catalog of 110 star clusters and nebulae, which have come to be known as the Messier Objects. Having been the tenth out of twelve children it was a hectic household, sadly the passing of his 6 younger siblings followed, and then his father passed in 1741. He never remarried and committed the rest of his life to astronomy, passing away on April 12 1817 at the age of 86. 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