Because Messier was interested only in finding comets, he created a list of those non-comet objects that frustrated his hunt for them.

[7] The final version of the catalogue containing 103 objects was published in 1781 in the Connaissance des Temps for the year 1784.

[8][4] However, due to what was thought for a long time to be the incorrect addition of Messier 102, the total number remained 102.

[9] The catalogue consists of a diverse range of astronomical objects, from star clusters and nebulae to galaxies.

[8][4] Messier lived and did his astronomical work at the Hôtel de Cluny (now the Musée national du Moyen Âge), in Paris, France.

In early spring, astronomers sometimes gather for "Messier marathons", when all of the objects can be viewed over a single night.