Messier Marathon
by Sam Atkins
Charles Messier was an 18th century French astronomer known for his affinity for comet hunting and the Messier Catalogue, a list of some of the brightest objects in the night sky, particularly in the northern hemisphere. Whenever you see an object referred to as M42 or M101, that is the object’s Messier catalogue designation. Messier’s original intent of the catalogue was to identify objects commonly mistaken for comets and thus should be ignored. Ironically, searching the sky for Messier objects has become something of a rite of passage for astronomers, both novice and veterans alike. It has even been turned into a competition.
Every year between March and April, astronomers around the globe take their telescopes out and search the sky for Messier’s collection of galaxies, nebulae and star clusters. Dubbed the Messier Marathon, the goal is to spot every object in the catalogue in a single night. This pastime has been popular in America since as far back as the 1970’s. It is in the early spring that all or most of the objects appear above the horizon at some point in a single night (depending on your latitude). This Saturday, March 29th, is your best bet if you wish to rise to the challenge. If weather doesn’t permit, your next opportunity will be the following weekend.
Take heed, however, as it is no walk in the park. The catalogue consists of 110 objects. Some are larger and brighter like the Andromeda Galaxy (M31) and others are smaller and dimmer like the Crab Nebula (M1). The toughest part is that it will require you scan the entire night sky from dusk until dawn. Don’t let any of this discourage you. Anybody of any experience with a small telescope or binoculars can do it. You just need clear, dark skies and the willpower to stay awake. Also, there’s no reason you have to do it all your first try. Just go out and see how many you can spot! Then, maybe next time you find more but have fun with it!
Here are some tips to make it easier for you:
Study the sky! If you know where everything is ahead of time, you won’t be rushing to find it before it sets on the horizon. Think of constellations as like regions on a map. Star charts and phone apps can help in this regard.
Don’t forget your equipment! Last thing you need is to realize you’re missing an eyepiece while time is of the essence. Also, bring a red flashlight to protect your night vision and some comfort items like snacks and a chair. You’ll be out there for a while.
Pick a good spot! Set up somewhere away from the city and with a clear view of the eastern and western horizon. You don’t want your view to be blocked by trees or drowned out by light pollution.
Don’t go by numerical order! Different objects will be visible at different times throughout the night. Organize them into a list and don’t forget to consider your location!
At sunset, start low in the western sky and find the objects before they dip below the horizon (such as M74 in Pisces and M77 in Cetus).
In the middle of the night, the Virgo Cluster and the Galactic Center are particularly crowded regions so plan accordingly to make the most of your time.
You will end the marathon trying to catch the last few objects low in the east before sunrise (you’ll have little time to spot M30 low in Capricornus).
Use averted vision! It sounds counterintuitive but for some of the fainter objects, looking direct at them can make it harder to see. Instead, looking slightly to the side and see if your peripherals can pick it up.
Improvise! If a cloud obscures your next object, skip it for now and come back to it later when the cloud has passed.
Take notes! Record what you’ve found and where so you don’t accidentally go over it again or if you plan to split your search across multiple nights.
SUGGESTED ORDER
M77 spiral galaxy in Cetus
M74 spiral galaxy in Pisces (Phantom Galaxy)
M33 spiral galaxy in Triangulum (Triangulum Galaxy)
M31 spiral galaxy in Andromeda (Andromeda Galaxy)
M32 elliptical galaxy in Andromeda (satellite galaxy of M31)
M110 elliptical galaxy in Andromeda (satellite galaxy of M31)
M52 open cluster in Cassiopeia
M103 open cluster in Cassiopeia
M76 planetary nebula in Perseus (Little Dumbell Nebula)
M34 open cluster in Perseus
M45 open cluster in Taurus (Pleiades)
M79 globular cluster in Lepus
M42 diffuse nebula in Orion (Orion Nebula)
M43 diffuse nebula in Orion (De Mairan's Nebula)
M78 diffuse reflection nebula in Orion
M1 supernova remnant in Taurus (Crab Nebula)
M35 open cluster in Gemini
M37 open cluster in Auriga
M36 open cluster in Auriga
M38 open cluster in Auriga
M41 open cluster in Canis Major
M93 open cluster in Puppis
M47 open cluster in Puppis
M46 open cluster in Puppis
M50 open cluster in Monoceros
M48 open cluster in Hydra
M44 open cluster in Cancer (Beehive Cluster)
M67 open cluster in Cancer
M95 spiral galaxy in Leo
M96 spiral galaxy in Leo
M105 elliptical galaxy in Leo
M65 spiral galaxy in Leo
M66 spiral galaxy in Leo
M81 spiral galaxy in Ursa Major (Bode's Galaxy)
M82 irregular galaxy in Ursa Major (Cigar Galaxy)
M97 planetary nebula in Ursa Major (Owl Nebula)
M108 spiral galaxy in Ursa Major
M109 spiral galaxy and/or M109B spiral galaxy in Ursa Major
M40 double star in Ursa Major (Winnecke)
M106 spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici
M94 spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici
M63 spiral galaxy in Canes Venatici (Sunflower Galaxy)
M51 with M51B companion galaxy in Canes Venatici (Whirlpool Galaxy)
M101 spiral galaxy in Ursa Major (Pinwheel Galaxy)
M102 lenticular galaxy in Draco (Spindle Galaxy)
M53 globular cluster in Coma Berenices
M64 spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices (Blackeye Galaxy)
M3 globular cluster in Canes Venatici
M98 spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices
M99 spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices
M100 spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices
M85 lenticular galaxy in Coma Berenices
M84 lenticular galaxy in Virgo
M86 lenticular galaxy in Virgo
M87 elliptical galaxy in Virgo (Virgo A)
M89 elliptical galaxy in Virgo
M90 spiral galaxy in Virgo
M88 spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices
M91 spiral galaxy in Coma Berenices
M58 spiral galaxy in Virgo
M59 elliptical galaxy in Virgo
M60 elliptical galaxy in Virgo
M49 elliptical galaxy in Virgo
M61 spiral galaxy in Virgo
M104 spiral galaxy in Virgo (Sombrero Galaxy)
M68 globular cluster in Hydra
M83 spiral galaxy in Hydra (Southern Pinwheel Galaxy)
M5 globular cluster in Serpens Caput
M13 globular cluster in Hercules (Great Hercules Globular Cluster)
M92 globular cluster in Hercules
M57 planetary nebula in Lyra (Ring Nebula)
M56 globular cluster in Lyra
M29 open cluster in Cygnus
M39 open cluster in Cygnus
M27 planetary nebula in Vulpecula (Dumbbell Nebula)
M71 globular cluster in Sagitta
M107 globular cluster in Ophiuchus
M10 globular cluster in Ophiuchus
M12 globular cluster in Ophiuchus
M14 globular cluster in Ophiuchus
M9 globular cluster in Ophiuchus
M4 globular cluster in Scorpius
M80 globular cluster in Scorpius
M19 globular cluster in Ophiuchus
M62 globular cluster in Ophiuchus
M6 open cluster in Scorpius (Butterfly Cluster)
M7 open cluster in Scorpius (Ptolemy's Cluster)
M11 open cluster in Scutum (Wild Duck Cluster)
M26 open cluster in Scutum
M16 open cluster in Serpens Cauda (Eagle Nebula)
M17 diffuse nebula in Sagittarius (Omega Nebula)
M18 open cluster in Sagittarius
M24 star cloud in Sagittarius (Sagittarius Star Cloud)
M25 open cluster in Sagittarius
M23 open cluster in Sagittarius
M21 open cluster in Sagittarius
M20 diffuse nebula in Sagittarius (Trifid Nebula)
M8 diffuse nebula in Sagittarius (Lagoon Nebula)
M28 globular cluster in Sagittarius
M22 globular cluster in Sagittarius
M69 globular cluster in Sagittarius
M70 globular cluster in Sagittarius
M54 globular cluster in Sagittarius
M55 globular cluster in Sagittarius
M75 globular cluster in Sagittarius
M15 globular cluster in Pegasus
M2 globular cluster in Aquarius
M72 globular cluster in Aquarius
M73 open cluster in Aquarius
M30 globular cluster in Capricornus
I would still recommend to go over this list ahead of time and make any alterations that may be relevant to your specific location and latitude. Bel Air, Maryland is at about 40°N.