This file was contributed by A.J, Crayon 1995 All Arizona Messier Marathon Contributions by Sam Herchak and A.J. Crayon Record Setting Marathon by Sam Herchak This year's Messier Marathon sponsored by the Saguaro Astronomy Club (SAC) was a huge success by any standards. At sunset, fifty-eight telescopes of all types and up to 20 aperture were set up at Arizona City. At dawn, thirty or so still remained. AJ Crayon, the event coordinator promised M74 would be a difficult object low in the west at sunset but didn't mention clouds! After a terrific clear day, clouds moved in at sunset obscuring M74, 77, 31, 32, and 110 for most observers. As the night progressed, the clouds crept higher and produced a splendid display of the Zodiacal light beaming up from behind. By 8:30 PM, many people including myself had given up on the sky and were telling stories. Then conditions improved slightly and some people went back to work. I had my doubts but by 9:30 PM, we had beautiful, dark skies that got better as the night went on. Many observers were able to make up M31 and 32 in the pre dawn sky but the other evening objects were lost. Thirty people officially participated in the Marathon with 13 from EVAC, 8 from SAC, 7 from the University of Arizona, and 4 from the Tucson Amateur Astronomical Association. Two participants even came from the White Mountain Astronomy Group. The most impressive statistic however, is that twenty-two people logged over 100 M objects on this one night. The highest number observed was 107 by three different individuals; Adam Block & Stephanie Garko from the U of A and Paul Lind of SAC, all of whom used 8 Newtonian reflectors. The highest tally for an EVAC member goes to Don Farley with 106. Equally impressive are first time marathoners Sheri Cahn, Jane Kearney, and Bill Smith. Although a newcomer to observing the sky, Jane found 21 objects with her 20X80 binoculars. Sheri netted 62 before the Virgo Cluster and fatigue took its toll while Bill Smith still managed 79 between his helpful visits to other observers. Congratulations to these winners, the Saguaro Astronomy Club, AJ Crayon, and all the participants who made this a record star party for Arizona. Messier Marathon 1995 by A.J. Crayon The date, Saturday, April 1, 1995 was no April Fool's joke; it is the Messier Marathon and was chosen on this date, rather than earlier because it was felt the weather would be more favorable. For the three days prior it was very clear. However, just in time for the Marathon, late in the afternoon, clouds formed low on the western horizon. With observing buddy and family friend for many years David Fredericksen, I caravaned to the site; The Silver Belles Estates, west of Arizona City, AZ. We arrived around 5:30 to find cars, mobile homes, a Port-a-John and many telescopes already set up --- waiting. Around sunset there were 55 telescopes, a half dozen binoculars, tents and campers. The bad news was that bank of clouds had risen to about 15 degrees above the horizon, and were just lingering there. By evening twilight three more scopes had arrived and were set up, making this the largest gathering in Arizona! The clouds obviously blocked M74, M77 et al, so I announce I would start with M42, M43 and M45, getting a head start and hoping to have some time in the morning to see these targets as early risers. Others patiently waited for the clouds to dissipate. The Marathon was on! We watched a thin crescent moon slide behind the clouds and set. We could see the Zodiacal Light, rising from behind the clouds to its apex at our central meridian. I got into the marathon order, starting with M79, getting those objects in the sucker holes and ignoring the early setters. A decision for which I paid in the morning hours. Before completing Ursa Major there were clouds all over the sky, stopping everyone. Discussing this revolting turn of developments, Tom Polakis boldly predicted the sky would be clear to the meridian in two hours. He was more than correct, the sky completely cleared of clouds within an hour and there wasn't a sign of them until I drove to work Monday morning! Around midnight, some observers not in the marathon begin to politely and quietly leave, without headlights. They deserve a big thanks for not disturbing marathoners, observers and astrophotographers. It is during this time that Dave and I navigate the Virgo Cluster. Don Machholz's "Messier Marathon Observer's Guide" is a real help. This grouping was soooo easy with the book it was a cinch to complete. In fact I used it the entire marathon and highly suggest it to anyone --- experienced or not. (I don't get a kick back from Don for that statement.) By 1:30, M13 and M92 were completed, low on the northeastern horizon. This means I am waiting for objects to rise above the horizon. It was time to take a break and roam the observing grounds for some socializing. There's thirteen observers from EVAC; eight from SAC; seven from the University of Arizona Astronomy Club; four from TAAA and two from White Mountains Astronomy Group, a new organization. A veritable potpourri of clubs, optics and Arizonans. It was great, real great!! Getting on into the early morning hours, 2:00am, I had 35 more to go and Dave had 40 left. The summer Milky Way is a breeze and in an hour and a half we cut our counts down to 8 and 10 respectively and, as I remembered, the early setters. Around this time fatigue had already been a factor and contributes to some errors, which we can ill afford. With twilight fast approaching, someone calls out M30 rising over a hill, I get M30 as it is just rising. An observer drops by to look at it and comments, "that's the same hill as in my scope!" It was a lot funnier then than now. Around morning' twilight everybody is scrambling to get those last ones. I help Dave lift and move his 12" Dob about 10 feet so he could find the Andromeda galaxy around his car. He gets M31 and M32. I have to wait a few minutes for it to rise a little higher, and can only see M31 --- missing M32 and M110. Both Dave and I finish with the same count, 103 objects. By 6:00, with all the check off lists collected, Dave and I leave for home, happily exhausted! The check off lists are used to determine awards and participation. Having 58 telescopes at an Arizona Star Party is a record for our state! It is gratifying to see the Messier Marathon attract this kind of enthusiastic interest. There were 30 participants that turned in their lists, which means not everybody did the marathon. But this is just what it is all about --- OBSERVING and enjoying each other's company!! From the following table observing 107 objects took first place, 106 took second and 105 took third. Plates are being awarded to all of those observers. Certificates are being awarded to those with 104 to 50. Note that the awards are nicely spread amongst participating clubs. For the record, we had the most observers with over 100 objects, 22 people. Two new clubs attended the marathon, University of Arizona and White Mountain Astronomy Group. In the past three years of marathons the following people have continually finished in top positions Bob Gardner, Frank Kraljic, Paul Lind and Bernie Sanden. The next Messier Marathon will be held on Saturday, March 23, 1996. Mark your calendars, start your preparations and reserve your spot, the prospect of bagging ALL 110 objects is possible! See you there. Thanks to all who attended! Results contributed by A.J. Crayon 04/01-02/95; Arizona City, AZ. Weather: severely clear, except for one early evening hour. Attendance: 58 scopes, 26 forms turned in, 30 participants, 52% participation. num name scope organ. missed - setters, risers 107 Adam Block & 8"Dob U of A 77 74 33 107 Stephanie Garko U of A 107 Paul Lind 8"f4.5N SAC 77 74 33 106 Stephen Alden & 4"Genesis TAAA 74 33 32 110 106 Janna Scott TAAA 106 Don Farley 10"SCT EVAC 77 74 33 110 106 Bernie Sanden 12.5f5+N SAC/EVAC 77 74 33 110 105 Carl Anderson 8"f6N TAAA 77 74 33 110 76 105 Jason Harris 10"Dob U of A 77 74 33 110 76 105 Frank Kraljic 16"Dob EVAC 77 74 33 110 76 105 Heather McFarland 10"Dob U of A 77 74 33 110 76 105 Rick Rotramel 16"f4.4N SAC 77 74 33 110 76 105 Don Wrigley 8"SCT EVAC 77 74 33 110 76 104 Bob Gardner 10"N SAC 77 74 33 110 76, 30 104 Robert Kearney, Jr 8"SCT EVAC 77 74 33, 72 73 30 104 Ken Reeves 10"Dob SAC 77 74 33 32 110 76 103 AJ Crayon 8"f6N SAC 77 74 33 32 110 76 34 103 John Durham 10"f4.5N EVAC 77 74 33 110 76 79, 30 103 David Fredericksen 12.5"f6Dob SAC 77 74 33 110 76 34 79 102 Sam Herchak & 13.1"Dob EVAC 77 74 33 110, 75 72 73 30 102 Anne Beeby EVAC 101 Jack Jones 10"f4.5N SAC 77 74 33 76, 54 75 72 73 30 96 Flynn Haase 80mmRef U of A 95 Gene Fioretti & 17.5"f4.5Dob White Mountain 95 Christopher Fioretti White Mountain 92 R. Mark Elowitz 8"SCT U of A/TAAA 79 Bill Smith 8"SCT EVAC 62 Sheri Cahn 8"SCT EVAC, first marathon! 50 Randy Peterson 6"N EVAC 21 Jane Kearney 20X80binos EVAC, first marathon! Club Count: EVAC 13, SAC 8, U of A 7, TAAA 4 and White Mt. 2 and includes dual club memberships. Most observers over 100 objects, 22. New clubs: U of A and White Mountain.