Showpieces of Class VII

Listed below in alphabetical order by constellation are 18 of the most interesting objects in Herschel’s Class VII. Following the Herschel designation itself is the corresponding NGC number in parentheses, its Right Ascension and Declination (for Epoch 2000.0), the object’s actual type (which may differ from the Class Herschel assigned it to), its visual magnitude, angular size in minutes ( ) or seconds ( ) of arc, and Messier or Caldwell number plus popular name if any. Next is a translation of Sir William’s shorthand description (in italicized quotes) taken from the NGC itself, followed by comments from the author. These include directions for finding each object by sweeping for it, just as Herschel himself originally did.