Giovanni Battista Hodierna

Giovanni Battista Hodierna, also spelled as Odierna (April 13, 1597 – April 6, 1660) was an Italian astronomer at the court of the Duke of Montechiaro. He compiled a catalog of some 40 entries, including at least 19 real and verifiable nebulous objects that might be confused with comets.

Hodierna was born in Ragusa, Sicily and died in Palma di Montechiaro.

The work anticipated Messier's catalogue, but had little impact. Messier seems not to have known of it.

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