Messier Marathon
http://www.dearastronomer.com/
Image Credit: SEDS – Students for the Exploration and Development of Space
For many stargazers, one observing “holy grail” is participating in the Messier Marathon – in which skilled astronomers can make their attempt to view all 110 objects in one night with their telescope.
Usually the best time to perform the marathon is in mid March, however this year, the full moon is on Saturday March 19th, so many of the Marathons will be performed this saturday (March 5th), or early April (I’ve seen a few events scheduled for April 2nd, 2011)
The image to the left shows all 110 objects, and you can click the image to load a larger version.
The Messier catalog was compiled from 1758 to 1782 by French astronomer Charles Messier (B 1730 – D 1817). Messier cataloged roughly 100 objects that were difficult to distinguish from comets through the telescopes of the day. His main goal was to catalog objects that were often mistaken for comets. In the 18th century, discovering comets was the way to make a name for yourself in astronomy.
Today, the Messier Catalog is better known as a collection of some of the most beautiful objects in the sky including nebulae, star clusters, and galaxies. Since the Messier catalog was one of the first comprehensive and reliable lists, it was a major milestone in the history of the discovery of Deep Sky objects
A few objects were missing due to data errors, which were later resolved. The list as we know it today includes later additions of objects observed by Charles Messier and his collegial friend, Pierre Méchain, but not included in his original list. By studying the objects in the Messier catalog, astronomers have been able to make many important, incredible discoveries such as the life cycles of stars, the reality of galaxies as separate ‘island universes,’ and the possible age of the universe.
In celebrating the Messier Marathon, a typical observer begins observing at sundown and will observe through the night until sunrise in order to see all 110 objects. Starting with objects low in the western sky at sunset, the idea is to view those objects before they fall below the horizon. The observer then can work eastward across the sky. If all goes well, by sunrise, a Messier Marathon participant will be observing the last few objects low on the eastern horizon, with the hopes of seeing the last few objects before the sky becomes too bright due to the rising sun.
The moniker “Marathon” is quite apropos, since much like the actual running race, a Messier Maration can be a test of physical fitness, willpower and stamina, due to challenges from certain “crowded” areas of the night sky, and of course the Astronomer’s bane, weather conditions.
For more information on Charles Messier and the Messier Marathon, check out the following resources:
SEDS Messier page at: http://seds.org/messier
Observing tips: http://www.astras-stargate.com/holdm.htm
“clickable” chart of the Messier Catalog: http://www.space-and-telescope.com/MessierObjects.aspx
If you’d like to participate, many local Astronomy clubs meet on weekends close to when a new moon occurs and usually hold special events, open to the public for events such as the Messier Marathon.
Source(s):SEDS Messier Catalog page , Astra’s Stargate , Space and Telescope
Ray Sanders is a Sci-Fi geek, astronomer and blogger. Currently researching variable stars at Arizona State University, he writes for Universe Today, The Planetary Society blog, and his own blog, Dear Astronomer
2012-12-04 08:05:47
Source: http://www.dearastronomer.com/2011/03/04/messier-marathon/
Source:
