Shenzhen News Network, April 11, 2024 (Reporter Tian Gang) On the evening of April 12, the second Messier Marathon observation live broadcast led by the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory will start soon! The event aims to provide a favorable stargazing venue for stargazing in Shenzhen and the "1-hour Milky Way Circle in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area".
In the 18th century, the French astronomer Charles Messier (1730-1817) was looking for comets when he discovered many faint objects. These objects were compiled into the "Catalog of Nebulae and Clusters", which began with the letter M and contained 103 objects, which were later discovered and supplemented to 110 objects, forming the current "Messier Nebula Cluster Catalog".
These objects contain diffuse nebulae, planetary nebulae, open clusters, globular clusters, and galaxies. Some have thousands of stars evenly and densely distributed inside, some show spiraling cantilevers, the Andromeda Galaxy, and some have a psychedelic trilobe nebula under high-powered eyepieces...... They attract countless enthusiasts who stay up all night and repeatedly "chase stars".
110 Messier objects.
It is understood that from March to April every year, the Sun is located in the celestial region with relatively few Messier objects in the celestial sphere, which happens to create an excellent opportunity for earthlings to observe Messier objects. The Messier Celestial Marathon is to complete the observation of 110 Messier celestial objects in one night, which is also the annual top astronomical "sport" of astronomical enthusiasts around the world.
On April 10, the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory released the Xichong Astronomical Observation Signal, and according to the signal guidelines, on the evening of the 12th, the 2024 Messier Astronomical Marathon Observation Event organized by the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory and the Xichong International Dark Night Community will be broadcast live online and offline at the same time.
It is reported that from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on April 12, the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory will use the Observatory's large-field fast telescope to conduct Messier celestial observations and conduct real-time commentary live broadcasts. Fans of the "Shenzhen Astronomy" video account and the official account will be able to click "Appointment" in the live broadcast room of the "Shenzhen Astronomy" video account and watch the live broadcast. In parallel with the online live broadcast, the Observatory will also temporarily open an astronomical self-service observation area that night, inviting professional astronomy enthusiasts to challenge the Messier Marathon.
In order to meet the stargazing needs of more junior astronomy enthusiasts and citizens who do not have professional telescope equipment, let everyone experience this "marathon in the sky" together. There will be 3 public observation points in the Xichong International Dark Night Community, namely "Xichong Starry Sky Hotel" (at the entrance of the hotel), "Legotive Astronomical Camp" (camp lawn) and "Open Space next to the substation in Nha Son Village", where there will be professional teachers and professional equipment for everyone to experience Meima observation.
At the same time, the Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory also welcomes the public to bring their own equipment to challenge, and arranges professional stargazing teachers to guide the use of equipment and provide the "Messier Celestial Marathon Observation Challenge Table". Public enthusiasts do not need to register for stargazing spots, after dark, citizens can go on their own, and they need to queue up when there are many people on site. The observation activity is an outdoor activity at night, please wear long clothes and pants, be careful of snakes and insects, and participate with caution for young children and the elderly.
(Photo provided by Shenzhen Astronomical Observatory) Source: Shenzhen News Network