by William Parker | Mar 11, 2021 | Observatory, Private Events
The Messier catalog consists of 110 star clusters and nebulae, identified by the 18th century French astronomer, Charles Messier. Amateur astronomers organize Messier Marathons to try to view each of the 110 objects over the course of a single night—this is only possible near the March equinox and is best done on a night of a new moon since these objects are quite dim. Given the limitations of our site and stamina, we propose a limited “10k”, which is about 25% of a marathon on Saturday, March 14. The following are Messier objects of magnitude (brightness) 10 or less on the night of Saturday, March 14, to Sunday, March 15 from the observatory:
2021-03-14T00:00Z/2021-03-14T12:00Z From Latitude: 42.6499° Longitude: -87.8791° Elevation: 0.204 km Min V: 10.0
| Name |
Type |
Transit Time |
Transit Altitude (°) |
Constellation |
Brightness |
Distance (Pm) |
| M52 |
Open Cluster |
11:46 |
71 |
Cassiopeia |
5.0 |
47000 |
| M110 |
Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy |
13:02 |
89 |
Andromeda |
9.0 |
25000000 |
| M31 |
Spiral Galaxy |
13:04 |
89 |
Andromeda |
3.4 |
23000000 |
| M32 |
Dwarf Elliptical Galaxy |
13:04 |
88 |
Andromeda |
8.1 |
23000000 |
| M33 |
Spiral Galaxy |
13:55 |
78 |
Triangulum |
5.7 |
23000000 |
| M103 |
Open Cluster |
13:55 |
72 |
Cassiopeia |
7.4 |
95000 |
| M74 |
Spiral Galaxy |
13:58 |
63 |
Pisces |
10.0 |
230000000 |
| M34 |
Open Cluster |
15:04 |
90 |
Perseus |
5.5 |
14000 |
| M77 |
Spiral Galaxy |
15:04 |
47 |
Cetus |
9.6 |
440000000 |
| M45 |
Open Cluster |
16:09 |
72 |
Taurus |
1.6 |
3700 |
| M79 |
Globular Cluster |
17:45 |
23 |
Lepus |
8.6 |
390000 |
| M38 |
Open Cluster |
17:48 |
83 |
Auriga |
7.4 |
40000 |
| M1 |
Supernova Remnant |
17:53 |
69 |
Taurus |
8.4 |
46000 |
| M42 |
H Ii Region Nebula |
17:54 |
42 |
Orion |
4.0 |
13000 |
| M43 |
H Ii Region Nebula (Part Of The Orion Nebula) |
17:54 |
42 |
Orion |
9.0 |
15000 |
| M36 |
Open Cluster |
17:56 |
81 |
Auriga |
6.3 |
39000 |
| M78 |
Diffuse Nebula |
18:13 |
47 |
Orion |
8.3 |
15000 |
| M37 |
Open Cluster |
18:17 |
80 |
Auriga |
6.2 |
43000 |
| M35 |
Open Cluster |
18:34 |
72 |
Gemini |
5.3 |
26000 |
| M41 |
Open Cluster |
19:11 |
68 |
Canis Major |
4.5 |
22000 |
| M50 |
Open Cluster |
19:27 |
39 |
Monoceros |
5.9 |
30000 |
| M47 |
Open Cluster |
20:00 |
33 |
Puppis |
4.2 |
15000 |
| M46 |
Open Cluster |
20:05 |
32 |
Puppis |
6.1 |
51000 |
| M93 |
Open Cluster |
20:08 |
23 |
Puppis |
6.0 |
34000 |
| M48 |
Open Cluster |
20:37 |
42 |
Hydra |
5.5 |
14000 |
| M44 |
Open Cluster |
21:04 |
67 |
Cancer |
3.7 |
5500 |
| M67 |
Open Cluster |
21:15 |
59 |
Cancer |
6.1 |
25000 |
| M81 |
Spiral Galaxy |
22:20 |
64 |
Ursa Major |
6.9 |
110000000 |
| M82 |
Starburst Galaxy |
22:21 |
63 |
Ursa Major |
8.4 |
100000000 |
| M97 |
Planetary Nebula |
23:39 |
78 |
Ursa Major |
9.9 |
19000 |
| M66 |
Barred Spiral Galaxy |
23:44 |
60 |
Leo |
8.9 |
290000000 |
| M106 |
Spiral Galaxy |
00:43 |
85 |
Canes Venatici |
9.1 |
210000000 |
| M40 |
Double Star |
00:46 |
75 |
Ursa Major |
9.7 |
4800 |
| M85 |
Lenticular Galaxy |
00:49 |
65 |
Coma Berenices |
10.0 |
530000000 |
| M86 |
Lenticular Galaxy |
00:50 |
60 |
Virgo |
9.8 |
460000000 |
| M49 |
Elliptical Galaxy |
00:53 |
55 |
Virgo |
9.4 |
510000000 |
| M87 |
Elliptical Galaxy |
00:54 |
60 |
Virgo |
9.6 |
490000000 |
| M68 |
Globular Cluster |
01:03 |
20 |
Hydra |
9.7 |
320000 |
| M104 |
Spiral Galaxy |
01:04 |
36 |
Virgo |
9.0 |
270000000 |
| M60 |
Elliptical Galaxy |
01:07 |
59 |
Virgo |
9.8 |
480000000 |
| M94 |
Spiral Galaxy |
01:14 |
88 |
Canes Venatici |
9.0 |
140000000 |
| M64 |
Spiral Galaxy |
01:20 |
69 |
Coma Berenices |
9.4 |
210000000 |
| M53 |
Globular Cluster |
01:36 |
65 |
Coma Berenices |
8.3 |
550000 |
| M63 |
Spiral Galaxy |
01:40 |
89 |
Canes Venatici |
9.3 |
350000000 |
| M51 |
Spiral Galaxy |
01:53 |
86 |
Canes Venatici |
8.4 |
180000000 |
| M83 |
Barred Spiral Galaxy |
02:01 |
17 |
Hydra |
7.5 |
140000000 |
| M3 |
Globular Cluster |
02:06 |
76 |
Canes Venatici |
6.2 |
320000 |
| M101 |
Spiral Galaxy |
02:26 |
78 |
Ursa Major |
7.9 |
180000000 |
| M5 |
Globular Cluster |
03:42 |
49 |
Serpens |
6.7 |
230000 |
| M80 |
Globular Cluster |
04:40 |
24 |
Scorpius |
7.9 |
310000 |
| M4 |
Globular Cluster |
04:47 |
21 |
Scorpius |
5.9 |
68000 |
| M107 |
Globular Cluster |
04:56 |
34 |
Ophiuchus |
8.9 |
200000 |
| M13 |
Globular Cluster |
05:04 |
84 |
Hercules |
5.8 |
210000 |
| M12 |
Globular Cluster |
05:10 |
45 |
Ophiuchus |
7.7 |
150000 |
| M10 |
Globular Cluster |
05:20 |
43 |
Ophiuchus |
6.4 |
140000 |
| M62 |
Globular Cluster |
05:24 |
17 |
Ophiuchus |
7.4 |
210000 |
| M19 |
Globular Cluster |
05:26 |
21 |
Ophiuchus |
7.5 |
270000 |
| M92 |
Globular Cluster |
05:39 |
90 |
Hercules |
6.3 |
250000 |
| M9 |
Globular Cluster |
05:42 |
29 |
Ophiuchus |
8.4 |
240000 |
| M14 |
Globular Cluster |
06:00 |
44 |
Ophiuchus |
8.3 |
290000 |
| M6 |
Open Cluster |
06:03 |
15 |
Scorpius |
4.2 |
15000 |
| M7 |
Open Cluster |
06:17 |
13 |
Scorpius |
3.3 |
6100 |
| M23 |
Open Cluster |
06:19 |
28 |
Sagittarius |
6.9 |
20000 |
| M20 |
H Ii Region Nebula With Cluster |
06:25 |
24 |
Sagittarius |
6.3 |
49000 |
| M8 |
Nebula With Cluster |
06:27 |
23 |
Sagittarius |
6.0 |
39000 |
| M21 |
Open Cluster |
06:27 |
25 |
Sagittarius |
6.5 |
40000 |
| M24 |
Milky Way Star Cloud |
06:40 |
29 |
Sagittarius |
4.6 |
95000 |
| M16 |
H Ii Region Nebula With Cluster |
06:42 |
34 |
Serpens |
6.0 |
66000 |
| M18 |
Open Cluster |
06:42 |
30 |
Sagittarius |
7.5 |
46000 |
| M17 |
H Ii Region Nebula With Cluster |
06:43 |
31 |
Sagittarius |
6.0 |
47000 |
| M28 |
Globular Cluster |
06:47 |
22 |
Sagittarius |
7.7 |
170000 |
| M25 |
Open Cluster |
06:54 |
28 |
Sagittarius |
4.6 |
19000 |
| M69 |
Globular Cluster |
06:54 |
15 |
Sagittarius |
8.3 |
280000 |
| M22 |
Globular Cluster |
06:59 |
23 |
Sagittarius |
5.1 |
91000 |
| M70 |
Globular Cluster |
07:06 |
15 |
Sagittarius |
9.1 |
280000 |
| M26 |
Open Cluster |
07:08 |
38 |
Scutum |
8.0 |
47000 |
| M11 |
Open Cluster |
07:14 |
41 |
Scutum |
6.3 |
59000 |
| M57 |
Planetary Nebula |
07:16 |
80 |
Lyra |
8.8 |
15000 |
| M54 |
Globular Cluster |
07:18 |
17 |
Sagittarius |
8.4 |
830000 |
| M56 |
Globular Cluster |
07:39 |
78 |
Lyra |
8.3 |
310000 |
| M55 |
Globular Cluster |
08:03 |
16 |
Sagittarius |
7.4 |
170000 |
| M71 |
Globular Cluster |
08:16 |
66 |
Sagitta |
6.1 |
120000 |
| M27 |
Planetary Nebula |
08:22 |
70 |
Vulpecula |
7.5 |
11000 |
| M75 |
Globular Cluster |
08:29 |
25 |
Sagittarius |
9.2 |
640000 |
| M29 |
Open Cluster |
08:46 |
86 |
Cygnus |
7.1 |
68000 |
| M72 |
Globular Cluster |
09:16 |
35 |
Aquarius |
9.4 |
510000 |
| M73 |
Asterism |
09:21 |
35 |
Aquarius |
9.0 |
24000 |
| M15 |
Globular Cluster |
09:52 |
60 |
Pegasus |
6.2 |
310000 |
| M39 |
Open Cluster |
09:54 |
84 |
Cygnus |
5.5 |
7800 |
| M2 |
Globular Cluster |
09:56 |
47 |
Aquarius |
6.3 |
310000 |
by Chad Jocius | Jan 25, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Mondays (Feb. 1, 8) 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Feb. 15, 22) 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Relax in a zero-gravity chair while we guide you through the night sky, using our laser pointer to show you stars, planets, constellations, galaxies, and other objects of interest while explaining their relationships and significance.
These events are weather-dependent and will be canceled by e-mail 24-hours before scheduled start time in the event of a cloud cover forecast greater than 30%.
Dress appropriately for being still in nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org
by Chad Jocius | Jan 22, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Fridays (Feb. 5, 12) 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm (Feb. 19, 26) 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Bring the family out to the Schoolyard Observatory and take a trip through the solar system on the meadow as we learn about the size and distance of our closest neighbors. Take our interactive trip followed by an adventure through the telescope to view the planets and other amazing objects. “Space” is limited to 10 total individuals so reserve your tickets early.
Contact observatory@hawthornhollow.org for group/family rate discounts.
Please remember to bundle up as it is very cold in space! Snow boots and extra layers are highly recommended.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by Chad Jocius | Jan 22, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Fridays (8, 15, 22, 29) 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Bring the family out to the Schoolyard Observatory and take a trip through the solar system on the meadow as we learn about the size and distance of our closest neighbors. Take our interactive trip followed by an adventure through the telescope to view the planets and other amazing objects. “Space” is limited to 10 total individuals so reserve your tickets early.
Contact observatory@hawthornhollow.org for group/family rate discounts.
Please remember to bundle up as it is very cold in space! Snow boots and extra layers are highly recommended.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by Chad Jocius | Jan 22, 2021 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Tuesdays (Feb. 2, 9) 6:00pm – 8:00pm (Feb. 16, 23) 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Take turns looking through our 16-inch telescope at binary stars, dim planets, distant galaxies, and other sky objects. Between individual views in the observatory dome, receive a guided sky tour standing outside under the stars to appreciate the broader picture of what you see through the telescope.
These events are weather-dependent, and each two-hour session will be cancelled by e-mail 24 hours before scheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 30%.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by Chad Jocius | Jan 22, 2021 | Education, Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Wednesdays (Feb. 3, 10) 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (Feb. 17, 24) 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Relax in a zero-gravity chair with your own wine or beverage you bring while we guide you through the night sky, using our laser pointer to show you stars, planets, constellations, galaxies, and other objects of interest, while explaining their relationships and significance.
These events are weather-dependent, and each two-hour session will be cancelled by e-mail 24 hours before scheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 30%.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or email observatory@hawthornhollow.org.
by William Parker | Dec 23, 2020 | Education, Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Wednesdays (Jan. 6, 13, 20, 27) 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Relax in a zero-gravity chair with your own wine or beverage you bring while we guide you through the night sky, using our laser pointer to show you stars, planets, constellations, galaxies, and other objects of interest, while explaining their relationships and significance.
These events are weather-dependent, and each two-hour session will be cancelled by e-mail 24 hours before scheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 30%.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196.
by William Parker | Dec 22, 2020 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Tuesdays and Thursdays (Jan. 5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28) 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Take turns looking through our 16-inch telescope at binary stars, dim planets, distant galaxies, and other sky objects. Between individual views in the observatory dome, receive a guided sky tour standing outside under the stars to appreciate the broader picture of what you see through the telescope.
These events are weather-dependent, and each two-hour session will be cancelled by e-mail 24 hours before scheduled if the cloud cover forecast is greater than 30%.
Dress appropriately for nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196.
by William Parker | Dec 7, 2020 | Observatory, Observatory Events, Repeating
Mondays (Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25) 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Relax in a zero-gravity chair while we guide you through the night sky, using our laser pointer to show you stars, planets, constellations, galaxies, and other objects of interest while explaining their relationships and significance.
These events are weather-dependent and will be canceled by e-mail 24-hours before scheduled start time in the event of a cloud cover forecast greater than 30%.
Dress appropriately for being still in nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196
by William Parker | Dec 1, 2020 | Observatory, Observatory Events, One-Time
Monday (Dec. 21) 4:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Astronomers use the word conjunction to describe meetings of planets and other objects on our sky’s dome. They use the term great conjunction to describe meetings of Jupiter and Saturn, the two biggest worlds in our solar system. The next great conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will be December 21, 2020. It’ll be the first Jupiter-Saturn conjunction since the year 2000, and the closest Jupiter-Saturn conjunction since the year 1623! At their closest, Jupiter and Saturn will be only 0.1 degrees apart. That’s just 1/5 of a full moon diameter.
The extra-close Jupiter-Saturn conjunction in 2020 won’t be matched again until the Jupiter-Saturn conjunction of March 15, 2080.
Reserve your tickets today for this spectacular show. The planets are low in the sky so we have to get an earlier start to this rare great conjunction. Tickets are limited so reserve early.
This event is weather-dependent and will be canceled by e-mail 24 hours before the scheduled start time in the event of a cloud cover forecast greater than 30%.
Dress appropriately for being still in nighttime outdoor weather.
Purchase tickets here or call 262-552-8196.
