Celebrate the Start of Global Astronomy Month with an Online Messier Marathon

By Nancy Atkinson - March 31, 2014 at 5:39 PM UTC | Observing
online_messier_marathon_2014.jpg

It's the challenge for many a backyard observer: the Messier Marathon! And as we told you last week, with the passage of the spring equinox on March 20th means Messier Marathon season is now open. (

See our article from David Dickinson with complete tips, tricks and optimal dates).

But if you are hesitant to try this observing feat on your own or would rather participate from the comfort of your home, Gianluca Masi from the

Virtual Telescope Project

has an event just for you:

an online Messier Marathon.

This will be the 6th year that the Virtual Telescope Project has on an online Messier Marathon, and they'll be using their robotic telescopes, providing real time images -- all while chatting and sharing the passion and excitement with people from around the world.

It starts on April 1, at 18.00 Universal Time. This is the perfect way to start

Global Astronomy Month 2014

, which is held in April every year and is the world's largest global celebration of astronomy.

Click here to join in the Marathon.

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson

Nancy Atkinson is a space journalist and author with a passion for telling the stories of people involved in space exploration and astronomy. She is currently retired from daily writing, but worked at Universe Today for 20 years as a writer and editor. She also contributed articles to The Planetary Society, Ad Astra (National Space Society), New Scientist and many other online outlets.

Her 2019 book, "Eight Years to the Moon: The History of the Apollo Missions,” shares the untold stories of engineers and scientists who worked behind the scenes to make the Apollo program so successful, despite the daunting odds against it. Her first book “Incredible Stories From Space: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Missions Changing Our View of the Cosmos” (2016) tells the stories of 37 scientists and engineers that work on several current NASA robotic missions to explore the solar system and beyond.

Nancy is also a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador, and through this program, she has the opportunity to share her passion of space and astronomy with children and adults through presentations and programs. Nancy's personal website is nancyatkinson.com