I remembered being asked by several members at our meeting why M1 is called the Crab Nebula and I promised to post that here. Life got busy so I apologize and I apologize if this has already been covered. William Parsons, the Third Earl of Rosse was an astronomer and used a 36 inch reflector to sketch his image. It is because of this image that the object is called the Crab Nebula. Here is his description of his view of M1: ".. a cluster; we perceive in this [36-inch telescope], however, a considerable change of appearance; it is no longer an oval resolvable [mottled] Nebula; we see resolvable filaments singularly disposed, springing principally from its southern extremity, and not, as is usual in clusters, irregularly in all directions. Probably greater power would bring out other filaments, and it would then assume the ordinary form of a cluster. It is stubbed with stars, mixed however with a nebulosity probably consisting of stars too minute to be recognized. It is an easy object, and I have shown it to many, and all have been at once struck with its remarkable aspect. Everything in the sketch can be seen under moderately favourable circumstances." Not sure if the image will post so you can view it and the observation at this linkhttp://www.maa.clell.de/Messier/E/More/m001_rosse.html If you want some fun, look at some of his other sketches at this link (from the bottom of the page on the link above): http://www.maa.clell.de/Messier/E/More/m-rosse.html I especially like his version of the Owl Nebula . . . though his other sketches/drawings are really quite interesting.