Messier Observing Program

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Welcome to the Messier Observing Program

Charles Messier (1730-1817) was a French astronomer who developed an intense interest in comet hunting. While he had other achievements to his credit, this was his chief occupation during his long observing career. He discovered about twenty. In commenting on his catalog in later years, he stated that he had compiled it in order to aid other comet hunters. There is a slight touch of irony in the fact that this claim to immortality grew out of his efforts to rid himself of a nuisance to what, he felt, was his important life’s work.

The Messier Observing Award

The Hamilton Amateur Astronomers offers special recognition in the form of a Messier Observing Program certificate for those that have observed most or all of the Messier objects. To qualify you must be a member of the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers. There are two levels of this award: 75 objects (Silver Level) and the (Gold Level) certificate for successfully observing all 110 objects. To obtain certification you must observe the following rules: The Messier list happens to include most, but not quite all, of the finest objects observable from mid-northern latitudes. There is nothing in the catalog that the owner of a three-inch reflector cannot reach under good observing conditions. Many Messier objects can be seen with binoculars and some with the naked eye.

Rule 1:

Visually observe 75 Messier objects (for the Silver Level) or 110 Messier objects (for the Gold Level) and keep a record of your observations.

Your notes must include:
a. Date (Month, dd, yyyy) and Time of observations (indicate Local time or UT).
b. Object identification.

c. Observing Location (distance from nearest town).
d. Seeing and Transparency.
e. Aperture and focal length of telescope.

f. Type of telescope if using GOTO feature.
g. Eyepiece used and magnification obtained.

h. List any filters used.
i. A description of the Messier object as it appears in the eyepiece.

j. OPTIONAL sketch of the Field of View.

Rule 2:

Have your observing log examined by the H.A.A. Messier Observing Program Coordinator.

Be sure to include your name, mailing address, email address, phone number, Upon successful completion of the requirements a numbered “Silver Level” or “Gold Level” certificate will be presented to you at a future meeting of the HAA. If you choose to receive the certificate by mail, be sure to indicate that choice on your submission form. The certificate will be suitable for framing.

Rule 3:

The ‘Goto” option is yours. If you choose to complete the observing program using electronic aids or an “automated telescope’, an award WILL be issued and a notation will be made on the certificate indicating “Electronic Assistance Used”.

Rule 4:

Since the purpose of the Messier Observing Program is to familiarize the observer with the nature and location of the objects in the sky, the use of an automated telescope which finds the objects without effort on the part of the observer is discouraged. “Automated telescope” also includes the use of digital setting circles where a read-out shows the user directions to follow to locate an object. This also includes the unacceptable use of smartphones that use applications to locate objects in the night sky. The use of the setting circles found on the axis of telescope should also be avoided. In short, only finder scopes, Telrads, or Telrad-like devices are preferred.

The reason……?

The purpose of the “no Go-To” rule is so that you learn the sky and learn how associate a map with the real sky. Learn how to get from here to there without the electronics or the scales. Learn to locate objects without the electronic interface. The knowledge of being able to perform this will always be of benefit in the future.

Also “Messier Marathon” sessions where all the objects are found in one occasion is to be discouraged. An observer cannot truly observe objects in that limited amount of time. Take your time, enjoy yourself, and REALLY see the objects as they were meant to be seen.

This program is meant to be completed using a telescope where multiple magnifications (including a higher power) and filters (if available) can be used.

You are encouraged to not reuse observations from any other Observing Program toward this Observing Program. As time goes by and your experience increases, so will your observing skills. Subsequent observations of the same object should reflect an increase in your observational skills.

Sample observation entry: (Download in Word format)

Date: June 6, 2018________________ Time: 02:15 EDT__________________

Object: Messier 15 _______________ aka: NGC 7078, Mellotte 234________

Object location: Pegasus. 25 degrees above the horizon, 4 degrees NE of Enif.___________

Observing location: Binbrook Conservation Area, Binbrook, ON_______________________

Seeing: __4/5__ Transparency: __7/10__ Conditions: __warm, calm________________

Equipment: Aperture _110 mm_ Focal length: _770 mm_ Type: Orion Duplex Refractor__

Eyepiece: _5 mm__ Barlow: _None_ Filters: None_____ Magnification: __154x__

Object description:

Quite large, 1/10 Field of view. Very bright, magnitude 6.3. Round.

Type IV Open Cluster, moderately rich, moderately concentrated.

2/3 resolved to reveal about 100 brighter stars and many more lesser stars.

No nebulosity noted.

Generally, a large round mass of resolvable stars around a stellar core.

Messier Observing Award Submission Form

Name as you would like to have it appear on the certificate:

_________________________________________________

Phone: _____________________________________

eMail: _____________________________________

I am submitting my observation information for the:

____ Silver Award (75 objects)

____ Gold Award (Remaining 35 objects)

Please supply the Silver Award certificate number: ________

____ I prefer to have my certificate mailed to me.

Address: _________________________________________

_________________________________________

Certification

I certify that I have faithfully followed the rules of this program.

( ___ I have) / (___ I have not) used Electronic Assistance.

_____________________________________________

Click here to download the Observing Order for Messier Objects information file.