Images Dated 31st March 2006

Messier objects, full set

Messier objects. These 110 astronomical objects were catalogued by the French astronomer Charles Messier (1730-1817), a comet hunter who wanted to list the permanent objects in the sky that might be mistaken for comets. They range from the Crab nebula (M1) at top left to the dwarf elliptical galaxy M110 at bottom right. Other notable Messier objects include the Orion nebula (M42, upper left), the Ring nebula (M57, centre right) and the Whirlpool galaxy (M51, centre left edge). Trying to observe all 110 objects in one night is known as the Messier Marathon. This is easiest to accomplish in the spring in the Northern Hemisphere

© SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Firth Of Tay

The Firth of Tay at Dundee, on the east coast of Scotland, as seen from Dundee Law, 25th June 1955. The Tay Railway Bridge crosses the river in the distance. Original Publication : Picture Post - 7819 - Dundee, The Uncompromising - pub. 1955 (Photo by John Murray/Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

© 2006 Getty Images

Burns House

Robert Burns house in Dumfries, in the south west of Scotland, circa 1900. A plaque on the wall informs visitors that the poet lived there from 1793 until his death in 1796. (Photo by London Stereoscopic Company/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

© 2006 Getty Images

57222011, Child, Diry 15803, Europe, Female, Format Landscape, House, J126969709, Landmark, Literature, London Stereoscopic Company, Scotland, Sign, Street Scenes, T 28980 Box 184 1 2, T Bris Dumfries Dumfriesshire