https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messier_marathon Jump to content [ ] Main menu Main menu move to sidebar hide Navigation * Main page * Contents * Current events * Random article * About Wikipedia * Contact us Contribute * Help * Learn to edit * Community portal * Recent changes * Upload file * Special pages [wikipe] Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia Search [ ] Search [ ] Appearance * Donate * Create account * Log in [ ] Personal tools * Donate * Create account * Log in Pages for logged out editors learn more * Contributions * Talk Contents move to sidebar hide * (Top) * 1 When and where a marathon is possible Toggle When and where a marathon is possible subsection + 1.1 Location + 1.2 Season + 1.3 Other times of year * 2 The marathon * 3 Organized marathons * 4 See also * 5 References * 6 External links [ ] Toggle the table of contents Messier marathon [ ] 11 languages * B'lgarski * Deutsch * frsy * Francais * hangugeo * Hrvatski * Ri Ben Yu * Portugues * Romana * Suomi * Zhong Wen Edit links * Article * Talk [ ] English * Read * Edit * View history [ ] Tools Tools move to sidebar hide Actions * Read * Edit * View history General * What links here * Related changes * Upload file * Permanent link * Page information * Cite this page * Get shortened URL * Download QR code Print/export * Download as PDF * Printable version In other projects * Wikidata item Appearance move to sidebar hide From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Astronomy competition This article includes a list of general references, but it [40px] lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (February 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message) [500px-Messier_objects_equirectangular_plot]Plot of the Messier objects relative to the modern constellations, ecliptic, and Milky Way, using equatorial coordinates (right ascension, declination) A Messier marathon is an attempt, usually organized by amateur astronomers, to find as many Messier objects as possible during one night. The Messier catalogue was compiled by French astronomer Charles Messier during the late 18th century and consists of 110 relatively bright deep-sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters). When and where a marathon is possible [edit] The number of Messier objects visible in any one night varies depending on a few factors, including the location of the observer, the duration of daylight and nighttime, and the season (the positions of the Messier objects relative to the Sun varies with the season, as does the length of the night). Location [edit] Because Messier compiled his catalog from a northern latitude, not all of the Messier objects are visible from the southern hemisphere. In particular, M81, M82, M52, and M103 make southern-hemisphere Messier marathons difficult, because they are all located at a declination of 60deg north or greater. Although a Messier marathon can be attempted from any northern latitude, low northern latitudes are best. In particular, a latitude of around 25deg north lends the best possibility to complete a Messier marathon at the right time of year. Season [edit] At low northern latitudes, particularly around latitude 25deg north, it is possible to observe all Messier objects in one night during a window of a few weeks from mid-March to early April. In that period the dark nights around the time of the new moon are best for a Messier marathon. Other times of year [edit] Less complete Messier marathons can be undertaken at other times of the year, with the actual quantity of Messier objects seen depending upon season and location. In particular, there is a short period around the autumnal equinox when most of the objects can be seen.^[1] The marathon [edit] The Messier Marathon was invented independently by American astronomers Tom Hoffelder, Donald Machholz, and Tom Reiland in the 1970s. Typically an observer attempting a Messier marathon begins observing at sundown and will observe through the night until sunrise in order to see all 110 objects. An observer starts with objects low in the western sky at sunset, hoping to view them before they dip out of view, then works eastward across the sky. By sunrise, the successful observer will be observing the last few objects low on the eastern horizon, hoping to see them before the sky becomes too bright due to the rising sun. The evening can be a test of stamina and willpower depending on weather conditions and the physical fitness of the observer. Particularly crowded regions of the sky (namely, the Virgo Cluster and the Milky Way's Galactic Center) can prove to be challenging to an observer as well, and a Messier marathon will generally budget time for these regions accordingly. Organized marathons [edit] Marathons are typically organized by a local astronomy organization or astronomical society as a special type of star party. These are usually attempted at least once every year. Some clubs issue certificates/awards either for participation or for achieving a set number of objects. See also [edit] * List of Messier objects References [edit] 1. ^ "October". 15 October 2016. External links [edit] * Messier Marathon History * Interactive Messier Catalog Greenhawk Observatory * The Messier Marathon, SEDS * http://www.astras-stargate.com/holdm.htm * Peoria Astronomical Society's tips for participating in a Messier Marathon. Includes tips for preparations as well as for difficult portions of the marathon. * Clickable table of Messier objects * Short biography of Charles Messier and history of the Messier Object Catalog * Messier biography and history of the Messier Catalog, SEDS * NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day: Iran Messier Marathon (19 April 2008) * Messier Objects Ranked By Observing Difficulty Portals: * # Astronomy * icon Stars * # Outer space * Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title= Messier_marathon&oldid=1278348685" Categories: * Messier objects * Amateur astronomy * Observational astronomy Hidden categories: * Articles with short description * Short description matches Wikidata * Articles lacking in-text citations from February 2013 * All articles lacking in-text citations * This page was last edited on 1 March 2025, at 22:42 (UTC). * Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License; additional terms may apply. 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