messier marathon

What is a Messier Marathon?

The Messier Marathon is an all night cosmic endurance race

The goal is to observe all 110 Messier star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies over the course of a single night

A race against the sun – requiring Pre-planning and Endurance

So who is this Messier person? Charles Messier (1730 – 1817)

A French astronomer and the Greatest Comet hunter of his time

Influenced by a bright comet in 1744, Messier left home at the age of 21 to pursue his dreams

Messier was credited with the discovery/recovery of 13 comets during his career

Messier occasionally came across objects that looked like comets, but were not. He published 3 catalogues describing 103 deep sky objects

110 MESSIER OBJECTS

When is the best time for a Messier Marathon?

Conveniently there is a gap in the Messier catalog between RA 21:40 and 00:40

As a result, all 110 Messier objects can be observed between sunset and sunrise in late March if there is a new Moon and clear skies.

Where is the best place to Marathon? Any DARK site that provides clear

views of West and Southeast horizons.

West for the “Setters” Southeast for the “Risers”

Planning for a Messier Marathon Pick a time and place Prepare equipment checklist

- Telescope / Binoculars - Eyepieces- Red Light - Charts - Food / Drinks - Table / Chair- Sleeping Bag - Alarm Clock- Warm Clothes - Batteries

Plan to arrive at the Marathon site and set up equipment before sunset

Preparing for a Messier Marathon Prepare an Observing Plan and

Checklist Don’t get lost in Virgo! - Prepare

object locator charts Make sure everything is working

before leaving home

Practice – Practice – Practice

- Clean and Collimate - Fresh Batteries

- Setters - Virgo - Risers

Running the Marathon

- It’s Marathon day. - You are at the site and set up before

sunset.- Sit down, relax, and enjoy the Sunset!

- OK – Let’s RUN!!!!

Sunset to 8:30 - The Setters

This time is critical for success

As the sky darkens grab the first bright objects to appear - M45, M42/43

Then move on to the “Setters” before they are gone.

M74 - M77 - M31/32/110 - M33 – M52 – M52 – M103 – M76

8:30 to 9:30 - The Winter Objects

No tough objects here – most are large open clusters.

Go for the most southerly objects first: - M79 - M93 - M41

M1 and M78 may be a little difficult - Practice helps

9:30 to 11:00 - The Spring Objects

You have 90 minutes to locate 20 objects

This group consists of galaxies located in Leo, Ursa Major, Canes, and Coma

About half are in easy to locate groups: M96/96/105 - M65/66 - M81/82 – M97/108

The remaining galaxies can usually be found within a handful of star hops.

11:00 to 12:00 - The Virgo Cluster!

A good finder chart is essential

Only 14 galaxies in 1 hour!

Practice in Advance

A equatorial mount is helpful

VIRGO CLUSTER

12:00 to 2:00 - Nap Time!

Find a warm comfortable place, set the alarm clock, and take a nap.

2:00 to 4:00 - The Summer Objects

This is the hardest stage of the Marathon You have 2 hours to observe 38 objects

Just 1 object every 3 minutes, but most are easy globular and open clusters

The need for a clear, dark southeast horizon becomes apparent as you get to Scorpius and Sagittarius

M83, and M75 will be most difficult

4:00 to Sunrise - The Risers

M15 is pretty easy M2 is easy to see once located

If you can locate M72, M73 is just a couple low power fields to the east

Last on the list is M30 – GOOD LUCK!

M55 - Uh Oh!

Good Luck and

Clear Skies!

- - - Ron Smith