Date: Mon, 9 Apr 2001 06:06:47 -0400 From: Phil Harrington Subject: Messier marathon results Messier Marathon results: Phil Harrington 2001 March 24/25 Observing sites: Southold, NY and Smithtown, NY Instrument: 10x50 and 16x70 binoculars Total number of objects: 92 Comments: The early evening was lost due to persistent clouds/showers. Sky finally cleared around 9 PM, so evening rush-hour objects were lost. Clouds came back around 1 AM, so I returned home, where it was clear, and continued as best I could from my somewhat limited backyard. Missed morning rush-hour objects due to poor ESE horizon. 1992 April 4/5 Observing site: Westport, CT Instrument: 12.5-inch reflector at Rolnick Observatory (Westport Astronomical Society) Total number of objects: 102 Comments: Participated in the Westport Astronomical Society's annual marathon, where various club members find objects with the club's reflector on a rotating basis. 1991 March 16/17 Observing site: Southold, NY Instrument: 13.1-inch reflector and 11x80 binoculars Total number of objects: 109 through 13.1-inch reflector, 101 through 11x80 binoculars Comments: My personal best, got all but M30 (which can't be seen during the marathon window from this latitude). I also managed to get 101 objects through my 11x80 binoculars before the objective lenses fogged/frosted over. 1990 March 23/24 Observing site: Westport, CT Instrument: 13.1-inch reflector Total number of objects: 69 Comments: Poor showing due to clouds around midnight. Only made it through to about Hercules. 1988 March 19/20 Observing site: Southold, NY Instrument: 13.1-inch reflector Total number of objects: 91 Comments: Made it about 2:30 AM, when clouds came through and obscured the sky for the rest of the night. 1984 March 31/April 1 Observing site: Southold, NY Instrument: 13.1-inch reflector Total number of objects: 103 1982 March 27/28 Observing site: Westport, CT Instrument: 8-inch reflector Total number of objects: 107 Comments: First attempt at a marathon. Missed M74, M77, and M30. ----------------------------------------------------- Philip S. Harrington Author: Star Ware Touring the Universe Through Binoculars Eclipse! The Deep Sky: An Introduction Astronomy for all Ages http://www.philharrington.net