Date: Wed, 05 Jan 2000 08:51:04 -0700 From: AJ Crayon [now: acrayon@mindspring.com] Subject: 2000 Arizona Messier Marathon 2000 ARIZONA MESSIER MARATHON Where: Arizona City Site Solar Data: April 1 3:57pm Moon set 6:49pm Sunset 8:11pm astronomical twilight April 2 4:50am morning twilight 5:14am Moon rise 6:11am Sunrise The Messier Marathon is designed to encourage Deep Sky observing. By joining in with other marathoners you will enjoy companionship of those also involved. It will test your observing skills. If you are a club member in good standing then join in and do so just for the FUN OF IT. If you decide to participate then be sure to read ALL of this information. There will be a check off list available at the site to record your observations. Be sure to pick one up, preferably before you start marathoning and fill in the top portion so awards can be made. It is important to remember that you must turn in your form to one of the Coordinators before leaving the site or by Sun rise. We cannot accept any after these times. Although it is possible to do the marathon with a 4" telescope I wouldn't suggest this unless you are an experienced observer. Don't forget to check off each object as it is observed. Plan on arriving at the site early enough to set up the telescope and allow it to reach thermal equilibrium. Be sure to fill out the heading of the attached form! The Marathon this year affords the optimum conditions of finding 107 objects. The three most difficult to impossible ones are M33, M74 and M77. Next in line for difficulty are M31, M32, M110, M30 and M76. If you plan on participating in the Marathon then doing some homework ahead of time will pay dividends. If interested the check off list can be made available prior to the marathon. Study the catalog along with your star atlas to develop your own process. Be prepared in case it becomes cloudy and the sequence has to be altered. Your involvement will not go unnoticed, as there will be awards in recognition of effort. People observing 50 or more objects will receive an 8 1/2 x 11 certificate. For first, second and third place there will be plaques suitable for mounting on a telescope. Duplicate awards will be made for ties. We need your clubs support to help purchase the awards for its members. Not interested in the marathon? Come anyway, you are also invited for deep sky observing, planetary observing, astro photography or just plain old relaxing under a dark sky! AJ Crayon, e-mail - acrayon@primenet.com Rick Rotramel, e-mail - Rick.Rotramel@CAS.honeywell.com Messier Marathon Coordinators Saguaro Astronomy Club