1. Messier Marathon How to

2. What is a Messier Marathon?  The Messier Marathon is an all night cosmic endurance race  A race against the sun – requiring Pre-planning and Endurance  The goal is to observe all 110 Messier star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies over the course of a single night

3. 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

4. 110 MESSIER OBJECTS

5. 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.

6. 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”

7. 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

8. 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 - Clean and Collimate - Fresh Batteries • Practice – Practice – Practice - Setters - Virgo - Risers

9. 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!!!!

10. 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

11. 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

12. 9:30 to 11:00 - The Spring Objects • This group consists of galaxies located in Leo, Ursa Major, Canes, and Coma • You have 90 minutes to locate 20 objects • 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.

13. 11:00 to 12:00 - The Virgo Cluster! • Only 14 galaxies in 1 hour! • A good finder chart is essential • Practice in Advance • A equatorial mount is helpful

14. VIRGO CLUSTER

15. 12:00 to 2:00 - Nap Time! • Find a warm comfortable place, set the alarm clock, and take a nap.

16. 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 • M83, and M75 will be most difficult • The need for a clear, dark southeast horizon becomes apparent as you get to Scorpius and Sagittarius

17. 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 • M55 - Uh Oh! • Last on the list is M30 – GOOD LUCK!

21. Good Luck and Clear Skies! - - - Ron Smith