William Herschel observed the Crab Nebula numerous times between 1783 and 1809, but it is not known whether he was aware of its existence in 1783, or if he discovered it independently of Messier and Bevis. After several observations, he concluded that it was composed of a group of stars. William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse observed the nebula at Birr Castle in the early 1840s using a telescope, and made a drawing of it that showed it with arms like those of a crab. He observed it again later, in 1848, using a telescope but could not confirm the supposed resemblance, but the name stuck nevertheless.
William Herschel observed the Crab Nebula numerous times between 1783 and 1809, but it is not known whether he was aware of its existence in 1783, or if he discovered it independently of Messier and Bevis. After several observations he concluded that it was composed of a group of stars. William Parsons, 3rd Earl of Rosse observed the nebula at Birr Castle in the early 1840s using a telesco?pe, and made a drawing of it that showed it with arms like those of a crab. He observed it again later, in 1848, using a telescope but could not confirm the supposed resemblance, but the name stuck nevertheless.