Sky & Telescope - April 2025 - 27

JAN HATTENBACH
The effects of sleep deprivation are
kept in check by excitement as we inch
closer to our goal with each object we
find. Were we located farther north,
this final hour would be very stressful
or even frustrating since all the remaining
targets (M72, M73, M75, M69, M70,
and M54) must be found practically
simultaneously in bright twilight. But
they're not easy even from our favorable
latitude. This is the most critical
moment. Our final total depends on how
we tackle this final stretch.
One way around this dawn crunch is
to choose a later date and simply concede the evening objects
M74 and M77. In mid-April the difficult morning targets will
be higher up than in March, giving you a bit more time to
find them before dawn breaks. It's not much though - M75,
one of the most critical twilight objects, only gains 12′ (less
than half the Moon's diameter) per day.
In 2011, Ronald attempted two marathons within just four
weeks from latitude 49° north. On both attempts, globular
clusters M55 and M30 eluded him at dawn. However, in
March he made it to 102 objects, catching M74 and M77, but
missing M72, M73, M75, M69, M70, and M54 in the morning.
In April, he tallied 106 by logging those morning objects
but missed the two evening galaxies. Still, both runs were
remarkable considering the latitude.
Our La Palma location, however, not only is much farther
south, but it's also at an elevation of 2,000 meters (6,600
feet), which allows us to see about 1½° lower than at sea
level. Even M55, though challenging, quickly falls victim to
our dark-adapted eyes. Now, as dawn approaches, only M30
in Capricornus remains. We nervously wait as twilight grows
brighter by the minute. It all comes down to this.
Suddenly, the 8%-lit waning crescent Moon pops up on
the east-southeastern horizon. Quickly realizing that it's
just 6° left of M30, we sweep our telescope parallel to the
horizon. And there it is - our 110th and final target! It's not
a pretty sight, perched less than 5° above the ocean, but it's
clearly the 6.9-magnitude globular positioned just west of the
5th-magnitude star 41 Capricorni.
We did it. We made it to 110 Messier objects! Amazingly,
we were able to tally 108 objects in our 15×56 binoculars,
missing only M74 and M30. With the 2× opera glasses we
spotted 47, and 23 were visible without any optics - all
thanks to La Palma's dark skies.
As we watch the Sun rise over Tenerife, we're as euphoric
as real marathon runners crossing the finish line. We still
can't quite believe what we've accomplished - our long night
of Messier hunting raced by unbelievably fast.
" Why should I go through so much stress and fatigue
to search for objects that I can see much better in other
nights? " We don't blame anyone for asking that. It is a
stressful exercise - and stress isn't something we typically
BASKING IN THE GLOW After a long night
logging all 110 Messiers, the authors' marathon
concluded with a spectacular sunrise over
nearby Tenerife Island.
turn to stargazing for. But our answer is
simple: Because it's fun!
Even if your observing site doesn't
allow you to attempt the full 110, a
Messier marathon is still a great way
to test your observing skills. Every year,
hundreds of amateurs around the world
give it a try. If you're tempted, we have
one final piece of advice: Do it with a
friend or your local astronomy club.
Together, you'll be able to keep each other awake and have
someone there to witness to your success. Most of all, sharing
a Messier marathon doubles the enjoyment.
¢ JAN HATTENBACH is a German amateur astronomer with a
background in particle physics. He resides on the island of La
Palma, where he enjoys some of the Northern Hemisphere's
finest night skies.
RONALD STOYAN is a veteran deep-sky observer from Bavaria,
Germany, and one of the pioneers of Messier marathons in
Europe. He's also author of Atlas of the Messier Objects.
Messier Marathon Resources
Books
Atlas of the Messier Objects: Highlights of the Deep
Sky, Second Edition, by Ronald Stoyan (Cambridge
University Press, 2024)
Deep-Sky Companions: The Messier Objects by
Stephen James O'Meara (Cambridge University
Press, 1998)
The Observing Guide to the Messier Marathon: A
Handbook and Atlas by Don Machholz (Cambridge
University Press, 2002)
The Next Step: Finding and Viewing Messier's Objects
by Ken Graun (Kenpress, 2004)
Websites
Larry McNish's Messier Marathon Planner: https://
calgary.rasc.ca/darksky/messierplanner.htm
The Messier Marathon: www.messier.seds.org/
xtra/marathon/marathon.html
Guide to the Messier Marathon: www.richardbell.
net/marathon.html
sk yand tele scope .o r g * APRIL 2025 27
http://calgary.rasc.ca/darksky/messierplanner.htm http://calgary.rasc.ca/darksky/messierplanner.htm http://www.messier.seds.org/xtra/marathon/marathon.html http://www.messier.seds.org/xtra/marathon/marathon.html http://www.richardbell.net/marathon.html http://www.richardbell.net/marathon.html
Sky & Telescope - April 2025

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