Messier 12 (original) (raw)

May 30, 1764. 12. 16h 34m 53s (248d 43' 10") -2d 30' 28"
Nebula discovered in the Serpent, between the arm and the left side of_Ophiuchus_: this nebula contains no star, it is round & its light is faint; near this nebula there is a star of 9th magnitude. M. Messier reported it on the 2nd chart of the comet observed in 1769.Mem. Acad. 1775, pl. IX. Seen again March 6, 1781. (diam. 3')

[Handwritten remark in Messier's copy:] Seen again March 10, 1790.

[Mem. Acad. for 1771, p. 439-440 (first Messier catalog)]
In the same night of [May] 30 to 31, 1764, I have discovered a nebula in Serpens, between the arm & left side of Ophiuchus, according to the charts of Flamsteed: That nebula doesn't contain any star; it is round, its diameter can be 3 minutes of arc, its light is faint; on sees it very well with an ordinary [non-achromatic] refractor of 3 feet [FL]. I have determined its position, by comparing with the star Delta Ophiuchi; its right ascension has been concluded at 248d 42' 10", & its declination at 1d 30' 28" south. I have marked it in the chart of the apparent path of the Comet which I have observed last year [the comet of 1769].
[p. 455] 1764.May.30. RA: 248.43.10, Dec: 1.30.28.A, Diam: 0. 3. Nebula without stars, in the Serpent, between the arm and the left side of_Ophiuchus_.