This file was contributed by AJ Crayon


                         1997 Arizona Marathon
                              by AJ Crayon
                         Saguaro Astronomy Club
                              Phoenix, AZ


This year's Marathon was held on March 8th at a site south of Arizona
City, AZ. It was attended by 66 telescopes and an assortment of anxious
observers. This, the fifth consecutive Marathon, was attended by members
of four of the more active astronomy clubs in Arizona: East Valley
Astronomy Club, Scottsdale; Saguaro Astronomy Club, Phoenix; Tucson
Amateur Astronomical Association and the University of Arizona.

Arrival time was around 5pm and there were already over a dozen scopes
set up - waiting. Some had even been setup the night before! Those
observers were boasting that there were no clouds then, as there were
alto cumulus clouds currently in the sky.

I was met by a number of SAC observers, including Brian Workman and Ken
Reeves. I also spent some time talking to old acquaintences Diane and
Manfred Alber as well as Sam Herchak and Anne Beebe, all from EVAC.
Meandering around the field I spoke with UofA Marathoners Carl Anderson,
Marcel Geltner, Flynn Haase, Miwa Morita and Steven White; all finishing
quite well.

As the sun set, clouds exited the sky in many directions; much to the
delight of all in attendance. As darkness began to fall Tom Polakis came
over to show Comet Hale-Bopp, very low in the northwestern sky, to Rich
Walker, several others and myself.

As darkness descended, the Marathon began in earnest! Zodical light up
through the Pleiades, at the zenith, couldn't stop anybodies observing.
One quickly heard calls of "I got M74" along with a thanks for the
disappearing clouds!

Around midnight to 1am many took breaks in preparation for the morning
rush.

Around 3am the visitor, Hale-Bopp, began with its tail rising over a
mountain to the northeast.  As time went on, more and more scopes were
turned its way for a quick peek.  Simultaneously marathoners were
scurring to keep from falling behind.  I succumbed, attached camera to
scope and wasted film on the comet! As of the writing of this article
the film hasn't been developed, so I don't know if I had a good time or
not!

Meanwhile, the aftermath of the Marathon. We had the largest number of
first place finishers with nine, new member Joe Goss captured second
place all to himself and three SACers owned third.  Certificates for 50
or more will go to five others.  Long time SAC member Tom McGrath
finished with 26.  His lifetime high is 106 at a SAC Messier Marathon
held in 1983.

Here are the final results of the Marathon:

num  name               scope         organ.    missed
109  The Alber's        ?             EVAC      30
     Carl Anderson      8"f6N         UofA      30
     Steve Bell         8"SCT         EVAC      30
     Paul Dickson       8"f4.5N       SAC       30
     Flynn Haase        8"f4.5N       UofA      30
     Bill Peters        8"f4.5N       EVAC      30
     Bernie Sanden      12"f5.1N      EVAC      30
     Bruce Walsh        14.5"         TAAA      30
     Charles Whiting    13"f4.5N      SAC       30
108  Joe Goss           10"SCT        SAC/EVAC  30 73
107  Bob Gardner        10"N          SAC       30 73 72
     Jack Jones         10"f4.5N      SAC       30 73 72
     Wayne Thomas       ?             SAC       30 73 72
101  Marcel Geltner     8"SCT         UofA      30 73 72 2 15 75 55 54 76
 83  Rick Rotramel      16"f4.4N      SAC
 67  Steven White       12.5"Dob      UofA
 51  Miwa Morita        8"?           UofA
 26  Tom McGrath        8"SCT         SAC

There will be a 1998 Marathon, plan on attending!!