110 Things to See With a Telescope: The World's Most Famous Stargazing List

by John A. Read, Chris Vaughan

This book and a telescope are all you need to find, view, and record your observations of the 110 most popular stargazing targets. But what makes this list of objects so famous? Over 200 years ago, the French comet hunter Charles Messier published a list of fuzzy, comet-like objects he saw through his telescope. To him, they were a nuisance. We now know them as star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies! Modern astronomers later expanded his list from 103 to 110 objects – and they’re some of the finest celestial sights to explore with your backyard telescope, especially after you’re ready to move beyond the Moon and planets. This book is your guide to seeing each deep sky object in Messier’s list - plus a complete how-to for budding astronomers.


Finding the 110 Messier (pronounced Messy-ay) objects has never been easier! We provide a star map for each target - plus written directions for how to find it by star-hopping, an “eyepiece view” image to confirm you’re seeing it, observing tips from two veteran stargazers, and interesting facts. We also highlight additional nearby objects.


These objects are presented in their recommended viewing order - either by season, or during an all-night marathon! Each page contains an observation log so you can track your progress, and later apply for a Messier Observing Certificate from the Astronomical League and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Certificate Application instructions are provided in the appendix of the book.

140 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2021

About the author

Previously known by the pen name; W.H. Fordham. For various reasons I now need to use my real name, John A. Read. (Apologies for any confusion.)

I started writing in the 1970s. My work has been seen in Television; Radio; Newspapers & Magazines from Ireland to Australia.

Many of my stories have won superb reviews and the much coveted 'Cherry' award on the highly respected literary website ABC Tales.

Presently working on a TV Screenplay for an Xmas story aka: The Snowman. But short stories remain a strong 'pull.'

I am also a songwriter and currently share credits with Paul McCartney on an album released in the USA by a British Chart group.

I am a member of the RBSA. (Royal Birmingham Society Of Artists.) My work has been exhibited and I still hold ambitions to paint more seriously in the future.

In previous incarnations I have worked as a photographer, carpenter and a Theatre Stage Manager.(Where I was taught to play the piano by Victor Borge, amongst others.)

I am also working on a cartoon series for possible syndication.

But - writing remains the main objective.