Messier API


A Messier catalog API that provides data and images for all 110 Messier objects.



 


View on NPM or Github.

Also access the raw JSON data from here. (Credit would be appreciated if data is used or modified.)



1/5 M1 - The Crab Nebula M1 - The Crab Nebula
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View images of the full catalog here.


README: messier-api

by Osric Dienda

Messier catalog API that provides data and images for all 110 Messier objects.
To download for Node.js, run:

$ npm install messier-api

 

After installing the package, import the library using require or import.

const messier = require('messier-api');

 

To access data on the Messier objects, access messier.data or use messier.getMessier().

console.log(messier.data.M45.name);

console.log(messier.getMessier(45).name);

 

Messier object attributes:

Attribute Description Code Example

messierNumber

The Messier number of the object.

messier.data.M45.messierNumber

name

The common name of the Messier object. If none exists, NGC number or description is used instead.

messier.data.M45.name

alternateNames

An array of the object's alternate names. Most have no alternate names (empty array).

messier.data.M45.alternateNames

NGC

The New General Catalog (NGC) or Index Catalog (IC) of the Messier object. Some objects have none (undefined).

messier.data.M45.NGC

type

Classifies objects into 12 different types: Diffuse Nebula, Double Star, Elliptical Galaxy, Globular Cluster, Group/Asterism, Irregular Galaxy, Lenticular (S0) Galaxy, Open Cluster, Planetary Nebula, Spiral Galaxy, Star Cloud, Supernova Remnant.

messier.data.M45.type

constellation

The name of the constellation the Messier object is in.

messier.data.M45.constellation

rightAscension

The right ascension of the Messier object. (hh:mm:ss.ss)

messier.data.M45.rightAscension

declination

The declination of the Messier object. (±dd:mm:ss.ss)

messier.data.M45.declination

magnitude

The apparent magnitude of the Messier object.

messier.data.M45.magnitude

size

The apparent dimensions of the Messier object in arcminutes (W' x H'). If elliptical, only the angular diameter is given (D').

messier.data.M45.size

distance

The distance of the Messier object from Earth in light-years.

messier.data.M45.distance

viewingSeason

The best season to view the Messier object from the Northern Hemisphere.

messier.data.M45.viewingSeason

viewingDifficulty

How hard it is to view the Messier object, classified as either: Very Easy, Easy, Moderate, Hard, Very Hard.

messier.data.M45.viewingDifficulty