Sky & Telescope - April 2025 - 24

BERNHARD HUBL
Observing Challenge
M91
M88
M99
M90
M86
M84
M89
M87
M58
HAPPY HUNTING GROUND The region of sky between Epsilon (ε) Virginis and Beta (β) Leonis contains a veritable swarm of Messier galaxies,
nine of which are identified in the 5°-wide field of this image, including M84 and M86 that anchor a string of galaxies known as Markarian's Chain.
Marathoners need to exercise caution when exploring this densely packed region. As this photo makes clear, numerous non-Messier galaxies abound!
As soon as twilight begins to fade, we start our marathon.
After checking off galaxies M74, M77, and the equally difficult
globular cluster M79, we turn our attention toward the
northwestern horizon. There, M45 (the Pleiades), along with
M31 (the Andromeda Galaxy), M32, and M110 (Andromeda's
companion galaxies) are dropping fast, but we manage
to catch them. M33, the Triangulum Galaxy, requires some
effort as it's just above the west-northwestern horizon. It, too,
eventually shows itself in the 10-inch. After about an hour,
the pace is less frantic, and we turn our attention toward
the winter Milky Way. These Messiers are high in the sky
and remain so for much of the night. Only Cassiopeia's open
cluster M52 needs an unobstructed horizon to the northnorthwest,
but it's circumpolar at our site and can be tallied
in the morning if missed now.
Since our night is about 10 hours long, that works out to
an average of a bit less than 6 minutes to locate and log each
object. Of course, this benchmark can easily be beaten with
some practice and by combining neighboring objects. There's
even time to marvel at some of the brighter gems or to study
objects we don't set our eyes on very often. We do, however,
make sure to follow the Messier Marathon Code of Honor,
24 APRIL 2025 * SKY & TELESCOPE
which requires that every object is found " by hand, " using a
star chart and a finderscope - Go To scopes aren't permitted!
Just like at a real marathon, shortcuts aren't allowed.
We're more than two hours into the marathon when we
turn our attention eastward to where Leo, Virgo, and Coma
Berenices are rising. It's galaxy time, and the Messiers come
thick and fast! The Virgo Cluster with its many faint fuzzies
poses a particular challenge - we need to carefully identify
every single smudge of light in the eyepiece to make sure we
don't confuse our targets with similar, non-Messier objects.
This requires patience and a detailed chart. If we're not
100% sure that we have the right galaxy, we begin our starhop
again from the start.
After completing the eastern and southern parts of the
Virgo Cluster, we're halfway through the marathon and it's
just past midnight. Now is a good time for a break since it's
still a bit early for the second half of the list to have risen.
Because the marathon goes from dusk to dawn, fatigue is an
issue. A snack is important, and energy drinks certainly help.
But nothing works as well as a siesta - adapted to marathon
needs by moving it from the afternoon to the early morning
hours. If you're going to nap, this is your chance to do so.

Sky & Telescope - April 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Sky & Telescope - April 2025