On this day in space! Oct. 13, 1773: Astronomer Charles Messier discovers the Whirlpool Galaxy before we ever knew it was a galaxy
On October 13, 1773, astronomer Charles Messier discovered the Whirlpool Galaxy, though he initially cataloged it as a non-comet object without identifying its spiral structure. It was later correctly identified as a galaxy by Edwin Hubble.
Why it matters
This historical context illustrates the evolution of astronomical understanding and the importance of early cataloging efforts in modern science.
The Whirlpool Galaxy is a textbook example of a spiral galaxy, but it didn't look like one when it was found.
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Click for next article Copy link Facebook X Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter On Oct. 13, 1773, a French astronomer named Charles Messier discovered the " Whirlpool Galaxy , " also known as Messier 51, or M51.
Charles Messier was scanning the sky for objects that could confuse comet hunters when he catalogued the galaxy as M51. However, Messier wasn't able to see the spiral structure, and he didn't identify it as a galaxy.
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