Sky Roundup: March 7, 2007 

M22, Globular Cluster

All Night Long

It has become a rite of Spring among some amateur astronomers to pursue their avocation with an individual zeal.  It may be not enough to stay up late, or rise early, for a particular astronomical event; some launch an all-out assault on the night sky in Spring and look for the widest collection of distant objects across the visible universe.  And they take all of one night to do it.  This is the time of the year for the Messier Marathon.

The Messier Marathon, named in honor of the French astronomer Charles Messier (pronounced MESS-see-YAY), is an attempt to observe all of the distant star clusters, nebulae, and galaxies (that Messier catalogued through most of his adult life) in a single night.  It is only in the season of Spring, specifically from mid- to late-March, that one has the chance, weather permitting, to view all 110 objects from Messier’s own original catalogue of objects.  To accomplish this in one night, of course, one must start at sundown and finish by sunrise the following morning.  By most of the informed predictions for this year, in 2007 the best date to conduct one’s own marathon, weather-permitting, is the evening of March 17.  (Other dates till the end of the month are possible, but the light of the waxing Moon could interfere with observations.)

M27, Planetary Nebula

Of course star charts are necessary for those who’ve never attempted this sort of marathon observing session, although there are those who’ve claimed to be able to conduct their own all-night session without the need or aid of star charts.  (The astronomy staff at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History still likes and uses star charts!)  Certainly a modern, automated telescope, with its computer-controlled motors (and within reach of the serious amateur’s checkbook), would greatly simplify the observing session, making all of the Messier objects available, in due course of the evening, at the touch of a few buttons.

But let’s consider for a moment the time when Messier himself made his own observations.  (And he had no automated telescope!)  Messier was an observer initially for the French navy and continued his observations while in its employ from the mid-1700s through the early 1800s.  Though he was primarily interested in looking for comets (of which in time he discovered thirteen on his own and seven with others), Messier catalogued a host of interesting objects, many of which he was uncertain of their origin. 

It was left for later astronomers to puzzle out the nature of distant star clouds and clusters of stars.  Nevertheless, his catalogue comprises many of the more visible and representative objects within reach of amateur telescopes, namely, open clusters, globular clusters, galaxies, and star clouds known as nebulae. 

M33, Spiral Galaxy

To try your own skill at observing Messier objects today, first, be patient.  It can take time to locate these celestial objects since they are very far away and so appear faint in a big binocular or fair-sized telescope.  And, they’re scattered across the sky, numbered in seeming random fashion from Messier’s own catalog.  Charles Messier himself did not systematically find all of them; most were found by accident while he was initially searching for comets or while his professional acquaintances observed on their own. 

Next, get a guide.  No doubt an important item for conducting a marathon is a handy observing guide, such as those sold at the Museum Store, to give an observer the coordinates and descriptions for locating Messier objects.  All of the Messier objects do not appear the same; they comprise a variety that one should practice to recognize so that you know when you’ve observed it. 

Also, pace yourself.  One should prepare a sequence of Messier objects that takes advantage of their visibility in the sky, since an observer does not have to remain awake the entire night, staring at the stars; rather, you can approach your marathon in timed intervals.  Some parts of the sky are littered with Messier objects, such as constellations that straddle the Milky Way; other parts of the sky will be sparse of objects.  So, one can stagger observations without feeling the pressure of a race against time.  Perhaps the Messier objects only visible at dusk and at dawn present the biggest challenge since they must be viewed with the backdrop of twilight.

Finally, observe responsibly.  Common sense dictates that staying outside all night requires a degree of planning, appropriate clothing for the weather, and a sense of awareness of your surroundings.

Remember, this is not exactly a race in the usual sense, but you do have only one night to make all of your observations.  (Of course, you’ll need clear weather!) And know that the Messier object isn’t going to disappear from view (that is, as you look at it) until it actually sets below the horizon.  If you consider it a race, then you’re mainly racing against your own ability to find the bulk of these distant objects with telescope or binocular over the span of many hours during the night. 

Once you’ve completed your marathon, bleary-eyed and sleep-deprived, you have the satisfaction of knowing you’ve done what few others have tried.  In the naturalist’s realm, a Messier marathon is akin to adding significantly to one’s life list for birding. 

After you get some sleep, you may wish to share your results through the websites sponsored by astronomy clubs in the area.

Are we ready for this marathon?  On your mark…get set…gaze!

All images from Students for the Exploration and Development of Space through the University of Arizona.

Questions or comments?

Please contact Roy Kaelin at (216) 231 - 4600, x3405, or email rkaelin@cmnh.org.