Messier Marathon: A Race Against Time and the Cosmos
2025-04-10
A Messier Marathon is a challenge undertaken by amateur astronomers to spot as many of the 110 Messier objects as possible in a single night. These objects, cataloged by Charles Messier, include galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters. The optimal time for this feat is usually a few weeks around mid-March to early April, during the new moon. Observers start at sunset and continue until sunrise, facing challenges like fatigue and weather conditions as they navigate the sky to locate these celestial gems. The ultimate goal? Spotting all 110 Messier objects before the sun rises.