Hubble's Messier Marathon Madness

The video discusses the Messier Marathon, an event where amateur astronomers attempt to observe all 110 Messier objects in one night. It highlights the release of 12 new images by NASA's Hubble Space Telescope, showcasing various Messier objects. The video delves into the history of Charles Messier, who created the Messier catalog to distinguish permanent celestial features from comets. The optimal time for the marathon is between mid-March and early April, near a new moon. Despite its limitations, Hubble has captured detailed images of most Messier objects, allowing enthusiasts to compare their observations with Hubble's. The video also explores unique characteristics of certain Messier objects.

What is the primary goal of participants in the Messier Marathon?

• To discover new comets

• To locate as many Messier objects as possible in one night

• To photograph the moon

• To observe the planets in our solar system

Who was Charles Messier and what was his contribution to astronomy?

• An Italian physicist who invented the telescope

• An American astronomer who discovered the Milky Way

• A British scientist known for his work on black holes

• A French astronomer who compiled a catalog of celestial objects

During which time of the year is it possible to observe all 110 Messier objects in one night?

• Late December to early January

• Mid September to early October

• Late June to early July

• Mid March to early April

What is one of the challenges faced by the Hubble Space Telescope in participating in the Messier Marathon?

• It can only observe objects within our solar system

• It cannot capture images of galaxies

• It lacks the agility to point toward 110 objects in different parts of the sky within 12 hours

• It is unable to operate during the night

Which of the following is true about the new images released by Hubble?

• They were taken by amateur astronomers

• They are all images of the Milky Way

• They consist of six spiral galaxies, four elliptical galaxies, and two globular clusters

• They include only spiral galaxies