Editing Messier 100 (section)

==Early observations==
[[File:Widefield View of M100.png|left|thumb|This is a widefield view of the galaxy, M100, directly left of the center of the picture - captured with an amateur telescope in 2025.]]
After the discovery of M100 by Méchain, [[Charles Messier]] made observations of the galaxy depicting it as a nebula without a [[star]]. He pointed out that it was difficult<ref name="seds2" /> to recognize the [[nebula]] because of its faintness. [[William Herschel]] was able to identify a bright cluster of stars<ref name="seds2" /> within the "nebula" during his observations. His son [[John Herschel|John]] expanded the findings in 1833. With the advent of better telescopes, John Herschel was able to see a round, brighter galaxy; however, he also mentioned that it was barely visible through clouds. [[William Henry Smyth]]<ref name="seds2" /> extended the studies of M100, detailing it as a pearly white nebula and pointing out diffuse spots.