Messier marathon is an attempt, usually organized by amateur astronomers, to find as many Messier objects as possible during one night. 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). For sure when Messier gathered his list from none stellar objects, he had never imagined that in the beginning of 21st century people joined astronomical competitions in a memory of his noble work in all over the world.

The Marathon

Typically an observer attempting a Messier marathon begins observing at sundown and will observe through the night until sunrise in order to see all 110 objects. An observer starts with objects low in the western sky at sunset, hoping to view them before they dip out of view, then works eastward across the sky. By sunrise, the successful observer will be observing the last few objects low on the eastern horizon, hoping to see them before the sky becomes too bright due to the rising sun. The evening can be a test of stamina and willpower depending on weather conditions and the physical fitness of the observer. Particularly crowded regions of the sky (namely, the Virgo Cluster and the Milky Way's galactic center) can prove to be challenging to an observer as well, and a Messier marathon will generally budget time for these regions accordingly. Marathons are typically organized by a local astronomy organization or astronomical society as a special type of star party. These are usually attempted at least once every year. Some clubs issue certificates either for participation or for achieving a set number of objects.

In Iran, like all over the world, astronomical groups try to observe these objects but Amateur Branch of Astronomy Society of Iran (ASIAC) selects the best observers from all around country to be gathered in a Desert with clear sky. During the competition in a starry night the observers will have an opportunity to test and proof their abilities and get to know each other better. Messier Marathon has been so far held for seven times in Iran, since 2002.

Interested people may take part in this national competition by filling in the electronic registration form at http://www.ASIAC.ir/ . The final list of participants is determined by the amateur branch of Iran Astronomy Society and will be soon announced on the same address.

Numbers of supervisor referee, will judge their activity and every one hope that good weather condition let them to have a great night with the highest scores.

There is a great difference in the 8^th National Messier Marathon in comparison with former competitions. This Marathon consist of two subdivision, the competition part and the didactic – competition part. The competition part will be held the same as last years, there or some well experienced observers that compete with each other during a night and the supervisors referee will judge their work and the participant or the group that had observed more deep sky objects in less time, win the competition. In the 8^th National Messier Marathon besides this competition there is a new part call didactic-competition that less experienced observers will participate in. In this competition observers will have a double chance to learn more and increase their experience for next Marathons and enjoy participating in the great National Messier Marathon in Iran.

Mr. Ahmad Karimi and Mr. Hamidreza Pirayesh will be the responsibles for this year competition.

For further information contact: Messier.Marathon@gmail.com

Miss Yasaman Shah Mohammadi and Niloufar Shah Mohammadi will receive your questions, suggestions and criticisms.

Important: participating as group is also possible in this marathon, but all members of each group should be qualified as well.

Observers with binoculars should participate alone. Observers with less than 9 cm aperture optics can not participate in a group. Those observers who already have more than 9 cm aperture telescopes or binoculars with 120 cm objective lens can participate as a group. Groups consist of three participants will be allowed for those observers that have 12" (30 cm) aperture telescopes or binoculars with 150 cm objective lens.

Please mention all the required information about your optics such as Refractor, Reflector and Cassegrain, aperture, objective lens and etc…the least required optic in this competition should have 6 cm objective lens.

Financial

The cost of participating in the 8th National Messier Marathon will be 20000 Tomans for each person, including the transportation and foods. This amount will be reduced to 17000 Tomans for the members of Astronomy Society of Iran, Amateur Committee.

Gathering the most experienced deep sky observers beneath a starry night is the main aim of Messier Marathon in Iran, and the competition is in the second hand. Being with each other takes the first place and the competition does the second. Besides an astronomical competition, try to observe the beauty of heaven and see farther and knowing the real position of us in the universe is the most important goal of this Marathon.

Please Note:

·         Registering period is limited to February 9^th 2008 (20 Bahman 1386) and there will be no extension.

·         Each person is responsible for his/ her registration at once, avoid multiple registering at the same time otherwise these forms will be left unread.

·         Due to the possibility of direct questioning via phone please verify and confirm your number.

·         If the Capacity of competitory group is over, the inexperienced observers will be transferred to the didactic- competition group.

·         Please visit the ASIAC website and check your mail box every day in order to rich the most recent news.

Any change and delay in holding the 8^th National Messier Marathon due to the weather condition or financial issues will be announced.

More information about Messier Marathon at:

Charles Messier Biography  

Messier Catalogue

http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/marathon/marathon.html

http://www.astras-stargate.com/holdm.htm

List of Messier objects at WikiPedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Messier_objects

Source : ASIAC.ir
Author  : Seyed Smaeil Hosseini Moraveji