Astronomer Charles Messier (1730-1817) devoted much of his life
searching the heavens for comets.
Astronomer Charles Messier (1730-1817) devoted much of his life searching the heavens for comets. In doing so, he would come across many objects that at first he thought were comets, but were not. What they did turn out to be were stationary objects such as nebulas, galaxies, clusters and double stars.
His love was finding comets and naming them after himself. He had less interest in these other confusing objects that would just get in his way. So he published his findings so other astronomers wouldn’t have to go through what he did when searching for comets.
He started out with some 45 objects and they came to be called “The Messier Objects.” It was odd that he would later become more famous for his Messier Objects than for his comet findings.
As time went on, others were added to the list by future astronomers. Today, we have a total of 110. (Actually there are 109 – one was duplicated.) Many of these deep-sky-objects can be seen with binoculars or small telescopes.
Two centuries later, backyard observers still consider many of these splendid “M” objects the jewels of the night sky. Each month, as the skies slowly change, new objects show up until by the end of the year you have seen them all. But there is one way you can see them all in one long evening.
Each spring, amateur astronomers around the world run a Messier Marathon – a visual race through the night sky to get a glimpse of all the 109 Messier Objects in a single night. If you are lucky enough to catch 50 to 70, consider that a good night.
The key here, of course, is getting away from the city lights – you will need all the darkness you can muster. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be successful from your own backyard. Plus it’s nice to know your own warm bed is only a few steps away should you decide to give up early.
In our area we are lucky to have what we call the South County. What a wonderful place to see these great wonders. But you just can’t stop wherever you want to and set up your gear.
You need to know someone who lives in that area and would be nice enough to let you use a small patch of his dirt one night for about 12 hours. And that best night this year would be around Saturday, March 20 – no moon to get in the way. (New Moon)
It just so happens I have a friend who has property down in South County and is nice enough to let us use a small portion of it every now and then to stargaze. He really appreciates the fact we clean up after ourselves when we are through.
A number of us have gone down to his beautiful spot to do some stargazing, and what a beautiful location to view the wonders of the heavens. We see at least three times the amount of stars than we would have seen from the City of Hollister. It makes it a lot easier to pick up more of the difficult to locate Messier Objects.
We plan to go down March 20, weather permitting, and see if we can survive the annual nightlong marathon.
If anyone is interested in going with us, just give me a call at 637-1148. Leave your name and number and I will get back to you. We do have room for a few more rough and eager would-be amateur astronomers who think they can deal with the eliminates and lack of sleep.
If you can’t make it, hope you can have your own marathon in your backyard. Don’t forget to invite some of your friends over and see how long they can last.
If you do give it a try, be sure to be well equipped with such items as warm clothing, binoculars, telescope, (if you have one), star charts, red flashlight, chair, table, maybe a sleeping bag, and for heavens sake don’t forget some good munchies, and some hot coffee or chocolate, especially if you come with us. For a couple of the guys, munchies are the main reason they even go with me on this marathon.
The Messier Marathon is an athletic event of sorts: Participants race around the sky like maniacs for a whole night only to end up where they started. The Messier Marathon does prove something very important though: Astronomy is fun, especially with munchies. Clear skies.
MARCH SKY WATCH
March 1: Moon passes 5 degrees north of Saturn.
March 3: Moon passes 3.5 degrees north-east of the Beehive cluster.
March 5: Spring equinox on Mars.
March 6: Moon passes 3 degrees north of Jupiter.
March 6: Full moon of March is called the Sap, Crow, or Lenten Moon.
March 12: Moon is closest to Earth (perigee-229,601 miles).
March 13: Last quarter moon.
March 13: Gamma Normid meteors.
March 15: The Ides of March – when Julius Caesar was assassinated.
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day – time to sow peas.
March 17: Moon passes 5 degrees south of Neptune.
March 18: Moon passes 4 degrees south of Uranus.
March 20: Equinox – northern spring/southern autumn begins.
March 20: New moon.
March 21: Moon passes 4 degrees south of Mercury.
March 24: Moon passes 2 degrees south of Venus.
March 24: Virginid meteors (early March to early April).
March 25: Feast of the Annunciation – was the beginning of the year in England until A.D. 1752
March 25: Moon passes 0.8 degrees north of Mars.
March 27: Moon is farthest from Earth (apogee-251,358 miles).
March 28: Moon passes 5 degrees north of Saturn.
March 28: First quarter moon.
March 28: Britain changes clocks forward one hour, next week in America.
