This field guide is meant to be used in conjunction with any star charts that have the Messier objects marked. I prefer the free Mag-7 star charts made by Andrew Johnson. You can download them from the Cloudy Nights website. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Jim Dixon and Wade Van Arsdale for graciously granting use of their photos for this guide.

Origional Guide: [HTML Version | PDF Version (767Kb)]

Now, huzzah and voila, just pass a querystring parameter to the page and you can get it in Messier Marathon order. You can use the numbered boxes to check off/cross out each object as you find it.
Messier Marathon Guide: [HTML Version | PDF Version (764Kb)]

Want to sketch and record your observations? Here you go:
Messier Observations: [HTML Version | PDF Version (25Kb)]

Are you the hardest of hardcore? Want to sketch them during a Messier Marathon? Now you can:
Messier Marathon Sketch-Your-Own: [HTML Version | PDF Version (31Kb)]