A Conversation for Messier Objects
The Messier Marathon
Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor Started conversation Dec 24, 2000
At my local astronomy society, members have tried and failed to do a Messier Marathon; viewing every listed object in a single night. I believe it is only possible on certain dates of the year?
The Messier Marathon
Lucius Sulla Posted Dec 26, 2000
As I understand it, it is never possible. I don't know the exact details, but due to the proximity of some objects to the sun, the most that can be logged is 103 of the 107 objects, in October.
Please batter me if I'm wrong, I'm dredging this from an old copy of Atronomy Now that I don't have to hand!
Lucius Sulla
The Messier Marathon
Yeliab {h2g2as} Posted Jan 9, 2001
I have heard from my AS that it is possible.
Cangratulations on getting this finished and acepted!
Yeliab
H2G2 AS
The Messier Marathon
Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor Posted Jan 9, 2001
Yes, bookmarked for me, and filed in my favourites!
The Messier Marathon
Jimi X Posted Jan 9, 2001
Thanks guys! I don't quite know how I managed to miss this conversation... 
We tried to do a marathon back when I was in college, but it proved too difficult because of all the light pollution on campus 
Messier was quite a guy. And his most of his list is accessible with binoculars, which is nice for tight-budgeted amateurs (so long as they don't expect views like those in the magazines).
- X
The Messier Marathon
Yeliab {h2g2as} Posted Jan 9, 2001
Too true, but sinse I got a pair of 10x50 binoculars for Christmas I have really noticed their benifits,at least over small telescopes. A good pair is cirtainly worth the investment, I can see the main moons of Jupiter and the number of stars you can actually see is astounding. (7 or 10)x50 is what you need 
N
The Messier Marathon
Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor Posted Jan 9, 2001
Amazing that these were the things to be ~avoided~ originally
The Messier Marathon
xyroth Posted Apr 1, 2001
It certainly is possible to do the messier marathon, but ignore M102, as messier confirmed in a letter that it was an accidental duplicate. that info was told when this page was being written, but the editors seem to be american, and thus don't beleive it. (i've yet to meet an american that will even consider that this might be true).
The best place I know of for doing a messier marathon is from the centre for observational astronomy in the algave (or C.O.A.A for short).
In fact, I can recommend going there anyway. I thoroughly enjoyed it when I went.
The Messier Marathon
Jimi X Posted Apr 2, 2001
I would really appreciate it if you could stop flogging me about M102.
You got a Researcher credit for adding the bit about the M102 controversy. I listed the fact that it was most likely a duplicate. The bit about it being in Draco was listed second.
The horse is dead.
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The Messier Marathon
- 1: Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor (Dec 24, 2000)
- 2: Lucius Sulla (Dec 26, 2000)
- 3: Yeliab {h2g2as} (Jan 9, 2001)
- 4: Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor (Jan 9, 2001)
- 5: Jimi X (Jan 9, 2001)
- 6: Jimi X (Jan 9, 2001)
- 7: Yeliab {h2g2as} (Jan 9, 2001)
- 8: Galaxy Babe - eclectic editor (Jan 9, 2001)
- 9: xyroth (Apr 1, 2001)
- 10: Jimi X (Apr 2, 2001)
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