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 |