Every year, as the weather warms

and the days grow longer, the

northern hemisphere reaches a

point where most — if not all — of

the 110 Messier objects are visible.

In March, amateur astronomers

can run a “Messier Marathon,”

aiming to see as many of the

objects as possible in one night.

Students for the Exploration and

Development of Space states the

marathon was invented in the

1970s and is best done around 25

degrees of latitude. For instance,

the slippery Jellyish Cluster (M30)

is considered the toughest object

to see — or downright impossible —

in the north.

That said, southern Canadians will

be able to see most objects around

the New Moon March 24.

To whet your appetite for the

marathon, we asked astrophotog-

raphers around the country to

send in their best photos of the

astronomical objects.

As Messier Marathon

season arrives, SkyNews

readers share their photos

of the astronomical objects

Marvellous

Messiers

SKYNEWS • MAR/APR 2020