From: David Stine


David's Astro Corner - David Stine

 
This years Messier Marathon was one of the best that I have been associated 
with in several years.  The turnout was great with over 20 people attending 
from both the Astronomy Club of Tulsa and TUVA Club.  Many of us caravanned 
to the site to start out the exciting evening awaiting us.  We arrived to 
the hospitality of the hosts Ron and Maura Wood and they showed everyone 
where they could set up.  Most of us set up around the club house that 
provided rest, warmth and snacks all through the night.  Bart, the TUVA 
clubs 24" telescope stood like a huge guard by the club house while we 
began setting up.  Some members set up on the north side of the club house 
to block the south strong wind, however were they in for a surprise later 
when the winds switched to the north.  After we set all of our equipment up 
we ventured into the club house for pre-dinner feast and to view Gerald 
Millers and Ron Gallagher, latest photos, which were awesome.  As it grew 
darker the strong south winds died down and it was starting out to be an 
enjoyable night.  The defending champ Rod started out strong, locating 40 
objects before anyone else had 20.  Rod even had to take a break to wait 
for more objects to rise.  Ron was able to show several objects through 
Bart that people thoroughly enjoyed.  I have never seen so many of Saturn's 
minor moons. This is the first marathon that I can remember that I started 
out in shorts and a tank top but that was all going to change drastically.  
The first part of the night had calm winds, at one time there was hardly 
any winds, then sometime between 11p.m. and 1a.m., which I can't remember 
exactly, all of a sudden it was like out of nowhere from the north came 
hurricane force winds.  When it hit, it hit, tarps were flying, papers 
going everywhere, and I was surprised that half the scopes didn't blow 
over.  This didn't discourage the hardy ones and we continued on with our 
observing, but with more layers of clothes on.  I was glad to see some of 
our new members stick it out as long as they could.  While viewing some of 
the Messier objects other NGC objects would come into view that many people 
had never seen before.  Very near M81-82 there is another dimmer galaxy 
NGC 3077 that at our dark site that night was easy to see.  Anywhere else 
you probably would have missed it.  Then there is the little ring nebula 
inside M46 and the galaxy in M13.  These are just a few of the hidden 
treasures that you run across under dark skies like TUVA.  Even though the 
winds never did stop the skies stayed crystal clear all night.  It was 
pretty much assumed that Rod was going to win as he stayed at least 20 
objects ahead of everyone all night, but he did face some competition as 
me, Steve Chapman, and Tom McDonough gave him a run for their personal 
bests.  Rod had found all that could be observed and was resting while the 
rest of us were closing in.  The sky was starting to brighten, but Rod 
wanted one more while the rest of us had thrown in the towel.  Rod ended 
the night with capturing his 105th object M15 a globular cluster in 
Pegasus.  The final results had Rod with 105 making him a 3-peat winner, 
the followed by myself with 100 (my best ever), Tom McDonough 90 (his first 
marathon), Steve Chapman 86 (his best ever).  Others that are to be 
congratulated for attempting the marathon were Randy Henry with 36, Ann and 
Lina with 17, Gerry Andries with 14 and others such as Ken Black, Owen and 
Tamara Green, Ron Patrick. and Phillip Dunbar.   During the early part of 
the evening Steve Chapman took several photos of the event and they are now 
posted at our website.  You can also find pictures at the TUVA Club site 
also.  As I said it was a great evening and we will be reliving the 
memories from this year's marathon for some time.  If you missed it this 
year, start planning for a bigger and better marathon in 2006.

Although she was unable to attend the TUVA Messier Marathon, Neta Apple 
completed her own marathon at her place and was able to log 83 objects 
before the hurricane winds and smoke from brush fires drove her in.  
Congratulations Neta!