What was the approximate aperture of the primary reflecting telescope Messier used for his observations?
Answer
About two inches.
The tools available to Messier during his observational practice were modest by modern standards. His primary instrument for scanning the heavens was described as a small, reflecting telescope, typically possessing an aperture of only about two inches. Observing faint objects like nebulae through such a limited aperture meant that these targets appeared barely more than smudges, sometimes likened to faint smoke or tiny cotton balls, especially given the light pollution present in mid-18th century Paris. This fact underscores the considerable observational skill required for him to consistently record the positions of these faint objects.
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