What was the main incentive for Messier's dedicated pursuit of comet discoveries?

Answer

Substantial monetary reward offered by the French government

Messier's intense focus on comet seeking was largely explained by the significant financial reward provided by the French government for discovering a new comet.

What was the main incentive for Messier's dedicated pursuit of comet discoveries?
astronomydeep-sky objectscelestial objectsCatalogcatalogueMessierCharles Messier