Sky's Up March - June 2017 | Page 50

There are a lot of factors that determine the success of a marathon . Key among these are the observer ’ s location , weather conditions , knowing your equipment and adhering closely to the recommended observing order . “ The most critical times are getting the first few objects in the evening , before they set , and the last few objects in the morning , just after they rise ,” Machholz said . “ The night can be long , and many Messier Marathoners take a break for a nap in the middle of the night .” If you are up to it , this break is a good time to search for other objects that cannot be found in the Messier catalog . Incorporating other things like planets , well-known stars or current celestial events can enhance the entire experience . In April 1981 , Machholz drastically expanded his marathon and ended up locating and viewing 107 Messier objects and 492 other objects in one night . No matter how many objects you find , the Messier Marathon is a quest that is worth attempting . “ The greatest reward is at the end of the night — that is at morning twilight — being able to remember seeing each and every Messier object you have observed that night ,” Machholz said .

• Know your equipment , study the observing order and get familiar with using star charts .

• Pick an observing location that has an open horizon to the west and southeast .

• Practice locating harder objects like M77 and M74 in advance because you will not have a lot of time to catch them .

• Prepare for a long night by having layers to put on as the night gets cooler and packing snacks and warm beverages .

• If you plan on napping during the break , make sure you set an alarm so that you don ’ t miss a chance at a pre-dawn object .

• Bring binoculars , red light viewfinders or other aids that might help in tracking down objects .

• Keep a record of your observations .

• Always pay close attention to your observing checklist to stay on track . For more tips , click here .

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