Each spring, amateur astronomers attempt the ultimate stargazing challenge—an overnight quest to spot every galaxy, nebula, and star cluster in Charles Messier’s famous catalog.

French astronomer Charles Messier did not intend to be remembered for his discoveries of galaxies, nebulae, and stars ...

Spread the loveThe Messier Marathon is an exhilarating challenge for amateur astronomers and stargazers alike, offering a rare opportunity to observe all 109 Messier objects in a single night. This ...

Planning to run this year’s Messier marathon? March 14/15 and 21/22 are the best nights to give it a go. Your ideal order will differ with latitude, but this is a good place to start. Be sure to set ...