messier marathon
DESCRIPTION
Messier Marathon. How to. 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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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