I have recently added a "Messier Marathon" catalog for my program RTGUI,
the Real-Time Interactive Windows Software for Astronomical Observers
(see http://www.debunker.com/astro/rtguipage.html ). This catalog
contains the 110 objects that you need to observe, in the order that you
need to observe them. You just tell it to search for "m" (or "*" or
"M*"), and keep hitting next, next......

I have changed the order of some of the objects to differ from the usual
strict west-to-east order, based on the object's actual elevation or
rise or set time, not just RA. For example, the first two objects
observed are usually M77, then M74. However, M74 will be setting about
20 minutes before M77, and is fainter to boot - so shouldn't we look for
M74 first? Also I have numbered the objects sequentially, so that you
know where you are in the list.

It's considered "cheating" if you use a Goto telescope to conduct a
Messier Marathon, and RTGUI can direct a Goto scope to the selected
object. However, it's not "cheating" if you use a program such as this
one to select each object in the proper order, or to record your
sighting of it (just press the Observing Log button, and enter at least
one character - RTGUI will record the object name, elevation, magnitude,
along with the Date and Time.). It's also not cheating to push the
"Skycharts" button (assuming that you have Skycharts (Cartes du Ciel)
installed) and get an instant chart centered on the object that you're
trying to find.

Version 4 of RTGUI has just been released. It can now read the exact
time and location from Celestron or Meade GPS scopes (as well as Garmin,
Magellan, etc.). It can also read the object position from Celestron &
Meade Goto scopes, as well as upload time & location data to the Meades.
And the new "Previous Match" button makes it easy to walk up and down
the chain of objects that you need to observe during the Messier
Marathon.

--
Robert Sheaffer - User name "Roberto" at debunker-dot-com
Skeptical to the Max!
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