Messier objects

[imported_astro]

Is anyone going to do a Messier Marathon this March 20/21?

My friend and I will try to observe all of Messier's objects, all 110, all within one night as March 20-21 when the night sky is one of the best time of the year to observe these objects, nublueas, clusters etc.

So, give me some feed back, Is there anyone out there attempting to try?

Take care. :D
Astro

[Tiny]

Hmm u know it's impossible to see all 110 messier objects in 2 days ;) the best astronomer in the world had only saw 36 in one night...

[Dave Mitsky]

Originally posted by Tiny@Feb 29 2004, 08:59 PM
Hmm u know it's impossible to see all 110 messier objects in 2 days ;) the best astronomer in the world had only saw 36 in one night...
It certainly is possible to observe all 110 (or 109 depending on which list one uses) Messier objects in a single night but it is far from easy. By now perhaps a couple of hundred people in the world have accomplished a complete Messier Marathon. I've tried a number of times but have usually been stymied by the weather (or fatigue). I have passed the ninety plus mark, however.

M74 in the evening and M30 in the morning are the two toughest objects to log. The farther south (in the northern hemisphere, of course) one observes from the better.

Search under Messier Marathon and you'll find plenty of information on the topic. The page at the SEDS site is particularly good.

Dave Mitsky

[imported_astro]

HEY EVERYONE

Your right it will be tough, M30 is one of hardest to find, I made an order list (as objects rises) My friend and I will try our best, we will be using just sky charts! Don't like GoTos, it's too easy, half of the fun is finding it for yourself. I know of a few people who have viewed between 90 and 100 in one night! Hopefully I can get at least that. What it boils down to is planning, planning, planning and good dark skies!

That's everyone for replying. :D

Astro

[DippyHippy]

Tiny, believe me, Dave's quite right, it's very hard and location, weather and date are all big factors but it's certainly not impossible to see all 110 in one night. Spring (around March or April) is traditionally the best time, but I think you can manage it in the autumn too.

Astro, keep an eye on Astronomy and Sky & Telescope magazines over the next couple of months because you can bet they'll be printing articles on how best to do it :)

[Dave Mitsky]

The period close to the vernal equinox is the only time that all the Messier objects are visible during a single night.

I recommend H. C. Pennington's book on the topic. As far as order lists are concerned I think Phil Harrington's is the best.

The SEDS site is located at http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/marathon/...n/marathon.html (http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/marathon/marathon.html)

I should add that a Messier marathon, like the road race, is a grueling event. It lasts from dusk until dawn. On average an observer has about five minutes to log each object.

The Astronomical League does not sanction a special award for those fortunate enough to complete a marathon. Using an automated scope is considered "cheating", of course.

Dave Mitsky

[imported_astro]

Hey everyone :D

Thanks Dave Mitsky for the link to messier objects, very helpful!
I already made my messier order list about a week ago and now hope
I get CLEAR SKIES that night!!!

I didn't mention I will be using my 10" Orion XT10 dob and my friend's is a home built 12.5" dobson. So, now I'm counting the days or should I say nights...

Thanks to everyone who replied, I guess I will be the only one who will be out there doing this marathon.

Well take care

Astro B)

[Dave Mitsky]

I'll also be marathoning if the weather is conducive.

Dave Mitsky

[Stargazer]

:huh: Unfortunately not all of Messier's objects can be seen from all parts of Australia. The further south in latitude you are the more objects will be excluded from the list. In all, 13 Messier objects can't be seen from Hobart, Tasmania at any time of the year. Melbourne misses out on 9 and the count drops as the further north you travel. But even M81 and M82 are only visible from the far north of Australia, eg. Cairns or Darwin. :(

[imported_astro]

:D Hey Guys

Well my friend and I manage to view only 36 messier objects on friday 19
till the clouds rolled in around 10:30 PM.
We decided on Friday night cause they announce rain for saturday and sunday.
So all in all we did not bad concerning the amount of time we had.

Take care
B) Astro

[Mettalica1]

No but my friend nick might he is a star :o