Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 04:35:10 -0800 (PST) From: Ken Mallard To: spider Subject: 2001 Messier Marathon Results Hi from North Carolina: This was my first attempt at a Messier Marathon. Dare I say it, but I used my Meade LX200 w/ computer to locate the objects. Next year I plan to go solo. I did my observing on the night of 3/23. It was beautifuly clear! My observing sites were my front driveway (to get the first few objects) and then my back deck for the rest. I live in a light polluted subdivision, with many tall trees. I had to view many of the objects (esp. ones in Sag. and Scor.) through the trees (even waiting for some to peep out from behind limbs and pinecones). I was able to locate 102 objects. I missed M77,M74 (streetlight casualty), M110. On the tail end I missed M55,M75,M72,M73, and M30. My Basset Hound and I had a great time! Maybe 110 next year! -Ken Mallard