messier marathon

Hello,

I am going to do a messier marathon this year. I was wondering if any body has any observation lists they would like to share. I will be doing the marathon at 40 degrees N latitude. I did my 1st with an 8" newtonian about 2 years ago and I got 106! Those pesky sunset and sunrise object go me:-) This year I will be using a 12" dob. So any help on order or any lists would be very helpful.

Thanks,

Bob

I think you should do your own based on the star hopping patterns you use. I compiled mine from several sources, but the most helpful one was in Robert Bruce and Barbara Fritchman Thompsons' new book, Astronomy Hacks. He has a whole section describing how it worked in practice. The thing I really like about it is that he lists the times he logged each object. It made me realize that there are periods you can go really fast, and use binoculars to log a lot of bright open clusters, and other times when you need to spend longer to find things in the twilight. His order also put a few objects before M77 & M74 that become visible before the sky is dark enough to pick out those buggers.

Hugh Bartlett

Another Question 109 M objects or 110 M objects? I have read and some say 109 and others say 110.

Help:-)

Bob