"The Messier Catalogue is a list of 110 galaxies, star clusters and nebulae, and includes many of the brightest and best-known objects in the sky. Amateur astronomers can challenge their abilities by attempting to find all the objects on the list in one night, and thus complete the Messier Marathon. This book contains over ninety easy-to-use star maps to guide the observer from one object to the next, and provides tips for a successful night of observing. The book also tells the story of the eighteenth century astronomer, Charles Messier, and how he came to compile his extensive Catalogue. This complete guide to the Messier Marathon will help the amateur astronomer to observe the Messier objects throughout the year, using a small telescope or even a pair of binoculars."--Jacket.