Stay up all night an see how many Messier Objects you can capture in one night.

The Messier Marathon is the most popular stargazing competition, challenging people to spot as many Messier objects as possible in one night. Ready to take on the challenge?

What are Messier objects?

Messier objects are deep sky objects of three main types: nebulae, star clusters and galaxies. To the observer, they look like fuzzy cloud-like patches in the sky. The number of visible objects depends on the location of the observer and the time of year. The most crowded regions are the Virgo cluster of galaxies and the area around the center of the Milky Way.

What is the Messier Marathon?

The Messier Marathon is an astronomical challenge that invites enthusiasts to observe all 110 objects listed in the Messier catalog in a single night. Started in the 1970s by American astronomers Tom Hohfeld, Donald Machholz and Tom Rylander, the event tests observing skills and endurance.

How can I participate in the Messier Marathon?

The Messier Marathon is designed for both experienced astronomers and novice stargazers. You can participate with your local astronomy club, friends and family, or even on your own.