Messier Contests

Post Reply
User avatar
Gordon United States of America
Site Admin
Site Admin
Articles: 1037
Offline
Posts: 8266
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2019 10:52 pm
4
Location: Cottonwood, AZ
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

I Broke The Forum.

Messier Contests

#1

Post by Gordon »


Many members who followed us over from the old forum will remember the Messier Contests. These are really more of a way to challenge yourself than a contest. It appears things have slowed down a bit, and we would like to take this opportunity to re-introduce everyone.

It's pretty simple,

Tier 1: Observe 35 Messier Objects
Tier 2: Observe 35 more Messier Objects, for a total of 70
Tier 3: Observe 40 more Messier Objects, for a total of 110**

This can be done in any manner you wish. Visual, Sketches or Astrophotography.

Here's a link to the information. We hope everyone will accept the 'Challenge' and give this a shot!
viewforum.php?f=87
Gordon
Scopes: Explore Scientific ED80CF, Skywatcher 200 Quattro Imaging Newt, SeeStar S50 for EAA.
Mounts: Orion Atlas EQ-g mount & Skywatcher EQ5 Pro.
ZWO mini guider.
Image cameras: ZWO ASI1600 MM Cool, ZWO ASI533mc-Pro, ZWO ASI174mm-C (for use with my Quark chromosphere), ZWO ASI120MC
Filters: LRGB, Ha 7nm, O-III 7nm, S-II 7nm
Eyepieces: a few.
Primary software: Cartes du Ciel, N.I.N.A, StarTools V1.4.

Image
User avatar
bladekeeper
Inter-Galactic Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 3603
Joined: Thu Apr 25, 2019 2:39 am
4
Location: Lowell, Arkansas, US
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: Messier Contests

#2

Post by bladekeeper »


And the best thing is, it's loads of fun!

By the time one works through the Messier Catalog, you've unwittingly developed a keen observing eye and you are primed to step forth with confidence into the broader universe of deep-sky observing.

When I started out, I worked through the Messier Catalog in about 4 months with my 12" dobsonian.

But! You don't need large aperture to view these objects provided you aren't inundated with light pollution. I've been working back through the objects with one of my 80mm refractors in my typically Bortle 5 backyard sky. Using my notes supplemented with some from my other scopes, I was able to earn my TSS Messier badges. My notes are here if interested: https://www.theskysearchers.com/viewtop ... =89&t=7699

Plus you get a cool looking, suitable for framing, certificate!
Cert Sample.PNG
Which just reminded me, I owe a couple of folks a certificate... :shock:
Bryan
Scopes: Apertura AD12 f/5; Celestron C6-R f/8; ES AR127 f/6.4; Stellarvue SV102T f/7; iOptron MC90 f/13.3; Orion ST80A f/5; ES ED80 f/6; Celestron Premium 80 f/11.4; Celestron C80 f/11.4; Unitron Model 142 f/16; Meade NG60 f/10
Mounts: Celestron AVX; Bresser EXOS-2; ES Twilight I; ES Twilight II; iOptron Cube-G; AZ3/wood tripod; Vixen Polaris
Binoculars: Pentax PCF WP II 10×50, Bresser Corvette 10×50, Bresser Hunter 16×50 and 8×40, Garrett Gemini 12×60 LW, Gordon 10×50, Apogee 20×100

Image
User avatar
10538 United States of America
Pluto Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 476
Joined: Wed May 15, 2019 10:11 am
4
Location: Fairfield N.C. USA
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

Re: Messier Contests

#3

Post by 10538 »


Hi Bryan! I had a fun time reading your notes which reminded me of how much fun it is to observe the Messier catalogue. I never get tired of checking them out with different scopes and magnifications. They are like revisiting old friends! :Astronomer1: :lol:
Ed :Astronomer1:
Scopes: Orion 14 inch f/4.6 Dobsonian w/MoonLite focuser. Meade LX200 Classic 10”w/AudioStar and MoonLite focuser, Criterion RV6, Orion ST80A w/2” GSO micro focuser.
Eyepieces: ES 5.5mm 100*, 6.7mm 82*, 11mm 82*, 14mm 100*, 18mm 82*, 20mm 100*, Meade 9mm XWA 100*, 24mm UWA 82*, 56mm 50*, TV Delos 6,8 & 10mm, Panoptic 24, 27 & 35mm, 17mm Nagler, Powermate 2X, Baader 6mm Ortho, Paracorr II.
MISC: William Optics Binoviewer, Revolution 2 Imager, Orion Skyview Pro Mount, Skymaster 15x70, 20x70, 25x100 Binos, HoTech Collimator, Kendrick Dew System,Catsperch Chair.
Messier 110 Complete/ Messier 110 Sketches Complete / Herschel 400 Complete / H-2 and H-3 Complete
Bortle 3 Skies in Down Eastern NC
“Starlight, I hear you calling out to me so far away” Jeff Lynne ELO.
User avatar
Dragonsfire Canada
Orion Spur Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 656
Joined: Sat Feb 08, 2020 11:00 pm
4
Location: Ab,Canada.
Status:
Offline

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: Messier Contests

#4

Post by Dragonsfire »


Awesome Bryan :occasion-balloons:
Neil
Orion XT8i Dob, ES AR102
9x50 RACI Finder, TELRAD Reflex Sight, Electro Dot Sight RD400X
Agena SWA 38mm 70 FOV 2" EP, Orion 25+10mm Sirius Plossl 52 FOV EP
ES 82* 11mm, 18mm 2", ES 68* 24mm, 6mm, 25mm Ortho. EP, Televue 3X Barlow,CS lens 2.8mm-12mm F1.4
Filters Baader Continuum, UV/IF cut, Lumicon UHC, DGM OIII. ND5/3.8 Kendrick
GX1 Lumix, E-PM2, ASI224mc, SteadyPix Deluxe, iOptron SkyTracker 7.7lb
User avatar
helicon United States of America
Co-Administrator
Co-Administrator
Articles: 584
Online
Posts: 12274
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 1:35 pm
4
Location: Washington
Status:
Online

TSS Awards Badges

Re: Messier Contests

#5

Post by helicon »


It's a whole lot of fun. While it took me about 18 months (I'm no Bryan) it was very satisfying. All with a 10" Dob.
-Michael
Refractors: ES AR152 f/6.5 Achromat on Twilight II, Celestron 102mm XLT f/9.8 on Celestron Heavy Duty Alt Az mount, KOWA 90mm spotting scope
Binoculars: Celestron SkyMaster 15x70, Bushnell 10x50
Eyepieces: Various, GSO Superview, 9mm Plossl, Celestron 25mm Plossl
Camera: ZWO ASI 120
Naked Eye: Two Eyeballs
Latitude: 48.7229° N
User avatar
SonnyE
Interdicted
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 52
Joined: Wed Jan 29, 2020 4:08 am
4
Status:
Offline

Re: Messier Contests

#6

Post by SonnyE »


Oh Dear!
I guess I'll have to get organized now.
My Messier's are messy and filed by date, not item.
Time to clean up my act. :lol:
I doubt I have 20 yet.
User avatar
Graeme1858 Great Britain
Co-Administrator
Co-Administrator
Articles: 1
Online
Posts: 7216
Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2019 7:16 pm
4
Location: North Kent, UK
Status:
Online

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

I Broke The Forum.

Re: Messier Contests

#7

Post by Graeme1858 »


bladekeeper wrote: Thu Mar 05, 2020 2:06 am And the best thing is, it's loads of fun!

I won't be completing in 4 months! I've missed a few and will have to wait for them to come round again.

But you're quite right Bryan, it is fun and you get to see and learn about objects you might not bother with ordinarily. Like who would have known there's a small planetary nebula in the middle of M46? I will probably go back to that with the 9.25 next winter.

Regards

Graeme
______________________________________________
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.

https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
User avatar
Baurice
Vendor
Vendor
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 1321
Joined: Sun Aug 18, 2019 10:42 pm
4
Location: England
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: Messier Contests

#8

Post by Baurice »


How many points do you get for writing a book about them?
User avatar
sdbodin United States of America
Milky Way Ambassador
Articles: 0
Offline
Posts: 1086
Joined: Sat May 11, 2019 11:00 pm
4
Location: Mattawa, WA, USA
Status:
Offline

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

Re: Messier Contests

#9

Post by sdbodin »


Tried to post to my Messier gallery album today and got this:
general error.jpg
Not sure what to do?
Steve
Scopes; Meade 16 LX200, AT80LE, plus bunch just sitting around gathering dust
Cameras; Atik 460ex mono, Zwo ASI1600MC-cool, QHY5L-II color and mono
User avatar
Graeme1858 Great Britain
Co-Administrator
Co-Administrator
Articles: 1
Online
Posts: 7216
Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2019 7:16 pm
4
Location: North Kent, UK
Status:
Online

TSS Awards Badges

TSS Photo of the Day

I Broke The Forum.

Re: Messier Contests

#10

Post by Graeme1858 »


sdbodin wrote: Fri Apr 10, 2020 7:13 pm Tried to post to my Messier gallery album today ......

Steve

The Gallery is temporarilly out of order unfortunatly.

There will be an anouncement when it's back up and running.

I've been posting my Messiers in my Messier thread.

Regards

Graeme
______________________________________________
Celestron 9.25 f10 SCT, f6.3FR, CGX mount.
ASI1600MM Pro, ASI294MC Pro, ASI224MC
ZWO EFW, ZWO OAG, ASI220MM Mini.
APM 11x70 ED APO Binoculars.

https://www.averywayobservatory.co.uk/
Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

Return to “Announcements”