Messier marathon

The Messier catalogue was compiled by French astronomer Charles Messier during the late 18th century and consists of 110 relatively bright deep-sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters).

The number of Messier objects visible in any one night varies depending on a few factors, including the location of the observer, the duration of daylight and nighttime, and the season (the positions of the Messier objects relative to the Sun varies with the season, as does the length of the night).

In particular, M81, M82, M52, and M103 make southern-hemisphere Messier marathons difficult, because they are all located at a declination of 60° north or greater.

In particular, a latitude of around 25° north lends the best possibility to complete a Messier marathon at the right time of year.

The evening can be a test of stamina and willpower depending on weather conditions and the physical fitness of the observer.