... Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer. June 26, 1996 . Happy Birthday Charles Messier: M1 . ... Explanation: French astronomer Charles Messier was born on June 26, 1730 . Inspired by childhood sightings of comets and a solar eclipse visible from his home town of Badonvillier, he became an astronomer and comet hunter who kept careful records of his observations . ... About APOD | ...