BCAS's
The History of Messier ~ What is a
Messier?
Observing Certificate
Tips for Messier Marathoners
What You Need
to Bring
Binocular Messier List
Full Messier List
Messier Links
Charles Messier, French astronomer (June 26, 1730 - April 12, 1817), is
an inspiration to modern amateur astronomers. He became interested in astronomy
at the age of 14. Messier viewed the sky with a 3 1/2-inch refractor telescope
(equivalent of a modern 80 - 100 mm reflector) and catalogued his deep sky
observations over a period of 24 years. His main goal was to discover and track
comets but he also made observations of star clusters and nebulae.
During his comet searching
nights he felt these items he was listing were more of a nuisance to him and
got in the way of his comet hunts. In fact it was this list that has gained
recognition of being some of the most beautiful and awesome sights in our
heavens. In all he discovered approximately 15 comets (although the exact
number of original comets has been debated). M1, the faint Crab nebula, in
Taurus was discovered and recorded as he followed one comet in 1758.
For us in the northern hemisphere near the spring equinox when the Moon is near its new phase offers the perfect skies, if you are privileged to have clear skies, to try and accomplish viewing most of the Messier list in an evening (The Messier Marathon). Messier would have been in awe if he could see our larger telescopes and modern equipment of today. During viewing one trick is to not view the list in numberical order but to view those objects that will disappear behing the horizon early on in the evening during the first hour you are out at dusk. As the evening progresses you will have a break to restore your energy and warm your toes in your car as you wait for the early morning objects to rise in the sky. Also note that not all Messier objects can be viewed from every location.
Some deep sky Messier objects can be viewed with binoculars and list is below.
In the Messier Object List there are 110 objects: 7 diffuse nebulae, 29 globular clusters, 30 open clusters, 4 planetary nebulae, 9 elliptical galaxies, 1 irregular galaxy and 29 spiral galaxies.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) offers certificates to its members who complete the 110 Messier catalogue list (which does not have to be completed in one evening). For information on the program, the regulations and the application form visit: The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Observing Certificate Programs Note: if you are interested in obtaining a certificate, you must be using the current official list which is obtained from the RASC.
Common Names for Messier Objects, SEDS Home Page, Messier Catalogue listed by the 12 Months, Messier Objects by Constellations - see other options section further down the page, Messier's Biography, Astronomy Timeline of Charles Messier, Original Catalogue List, Chronological Discovery Table, Astronomy Picture of the Day, The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Observing Certificate Programs, The Messier Catalog
Get out to the observing site early and get set up.
Make sure
your optics are in working condition and your charts are complete.
Start
at the top of the list as soon as the sky conditions allow. Evening and morning
twilight are the rush hours for Messier Marathons. You have to catch about a
half dozen objects before they set or before the sun washes out the
sky.
Once you've passed the evening rush hour, pace yourself, moving
steadily from one object to another. Don't waste a lot of time looking for
difficult objects. You can usually come back later on and give it another
try.
Keep regular track of your progress using the checksheets
provided.
Don't get discouraged if you can't find every object on the
list or decide to pack it in before the night is over. The primary objective of
the night is to have fun and learn about the sky. THERE IS NO PENALTY FOR NOT
FINISHING THE LIST!
If you're stuck or unsure, ask someone else for
help. Astronomy is about sharing the experience of the sky. Asking someone for
help in finding something is the best way to learn.
Telescope or binoculars are recommended, but not required. There should
be plenty of oppotunity to look through someone elsse's optics, but you may
find it more interesting to do some hunting on your own.
Star charts
showing the location of the Messier objects is also recommended, but not
required. We'll have a number of charts available for your use. We'll also
provide a checklist of all the objects with a suggested order in which to find
them.
A red flashlight is a must for reading charts. An observing table
to hold the charts is recommended but not necessary.
Very warm clothing
(winter boots, mits, hats, winter coat, etc.) and lots of (warm)
beverages/snacks are a must (this is a marathon after all - we have to keep our
strength up!)
Binocular Messier ListAdapted from the Viewing with 7X35, 7X50, 10X50
Binoculars 7x35, 7x50, and 10x50 Binoculars I. Easy Messier Objects: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24,
25, 27, 29, 31, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 52, 55,
67, 92, 93, 103. II. Tougher Messier Objects: 14, 19, 28, 30, 33, 40, 49, 53, 62, 63, 64, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82,
83, 94. III. Challenge Messier Objects: 1, 9, 26, 32, 51, 54, 56, 65, 66, 68, 71, 75, 97, 101, 104,
106. 1. Easy Messier Objects: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22,
23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 44,
45, 46, 47, 48, 50, 52, 53, 55, 62, 67, 71, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 92, 93, 94,
103. II. Tougher Messier Objects: 1, 9, 33, 49, 51, 54, 56, 60, 61, 63, 64, 65, 66, 68, 75, 77, 83,
87, 97, 101, 102, 104, 106. III. Challenge Messier Objects 20, 58, 59, 69, 70, 72, 84, 85, 86, 88, 89, 90, 95, 96, 99, 100,
105, 107, 108, 109, 110 |
Full Messier ListAdapted from the Grouped by Season:The Winter Group
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