The Observing Guide to the Messier Marathon: A Handbook and Atlas (2002)(en)(157s)

Don Machholz0521803861, 9780521803861

A complete guide to observing the Messier Objects.

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Table of contents :
Half-title……Page 3
Title……Page 5
Copyright……Page 6
Contents……Page 7
Tables……Page 9
Preface……Page 11
Acknowledgments……Page 14
Part 1 Handbook……Page 17
1 Charles Messier……Page 19
Notes……Page 26
2 The Messier Catalogue……Page 27
M24……Page 31
M91……Page 32
M102……Page 34
The ‘add-on’ Messier Objects……Page 37
Putting it all together……Page 38
Notes……Page 43
3 The Messier Marathon……Page 45
A short history of the Messier Marathon……Page 47
Factors affecting the Messier Marathon……Page 51
Moon Phase……Page 52
Weather……Page 53
Latitude……Page 55
Local horizons……Page 56
Light pollution……Page 57
Instrument……Page 79
Experience……Page 81
Messier Marathons during other times of the year……Page 82
Getting your astronomy club involved……Page 88
Hints for running the Marathon……Page 91
Notes……Page 93
Photographic or CCD Marathon……Page 95
Bordering on the bizarre……Page 96
Messier-plus Marathon……Page 97
Herschel Marathon……Page 98
Caldwell Marathon……Page 99
Lacaille Marathon……Page 100
Notes……Page 105
Appendix:The Greek alphabet……Page 106
Glossary……Page 107
Magazine articles……Page 109
Books……Page 110
Web sites……Page 111
Part 2 Atlas……Page 113
Atlas index of Messier Objects……Page 115
The Messier Marathon Search Sequence Atlas……Page 117