[AZ-Observing] MM - the article for newsletters and postings

                      2006 ALL ARIZONA MESSIER MARATHON


Despite the quiet cloudy weather there was an excellent turnout of 
marathoners, observers and folks just wanting to get out of the city.  
As it turned out the clouds provided marathoners with an additional 
challenge by altering the suggested viewing sequence.  Despite my 
absence, because of work, both Jack Jones and Rick Tejera filled in 
admirably, thanks ya'll.  Jack with T-shirt sales and collecting the 
observing lists and Rick with the sunset pep talk.  For this article I'm 
taking information from e-mail postings and hope this will help cover 
the salient topics.

Out thank go out, again, for Ray Farnsworth and Jet Ray farms for 
permitting use and access of the site.   And a great crowd upwards to 
150 people and 100 vehicles (I like that number)

For the observing there were 10 that qualified for the first three 
places and a telescope plate, see the results table elsewhere.  Of all 
objects missed, M74 was missed by all but one observer, Gilbert A. 
Esquerdo who found 105.  Tom Polakis, also with 105, posted the 
following analysis for those with 100 or more objects.

"All 24 people who saw 100 or more, Messier objects missed M110.  Ten of 
those 24 were able to spot M31, and 5 of them saw M32.  Only one 
observer looked at the right time to see M74.  The next problem object 
was M33, which shut out 18 people.  Nine observers did not see M72 and 
M30 was missed by only 7 people.  At least 16 of the 24 used GO-TO 
telescopes.  The smallest aperture in this club was 60mm.  I'm sure 
Meade never expected an ETX-60 to ever get as much use as this one does."

Other observers making their presence know were Don Machholz, amongst 
one of the first to suggest a Messier Marathon.  He treated many to M&M 
candies in honor of the event.  Thanks Don!  From Tucson there was, as 
always, Andrew Cooper and his trusty observing side kick Carter Smith.  
I really missed their almost constant chatter the marathon.  Speaking of 
Andrew and if you have chance, check his web site at 
http://www.siowl.com/index.html?marathon2006 for more information and 
some nice pictures and don't miss the one of Rick giving the sunset 
talk.  Another site I can suggest is Jeremy Perez at 
http://www.perezmedia.net/beltofvenus/archives/000548.html and check his 
picture of Don Machholz and Brent Archinal.

This marathon should be noted for the large number of first time 
marathoners and their high counts.  Checking the table we find Keith 
Schlottman had 108; Jimmy Ray, 107; Jeremy Perez, 100 and Dan Gruber 
with 99.

We are also awarding 41 certificates to 41 observers who found 50 or 
more objects.  Another interesting fact about this marathon was the 
number of observers turning in lists with less than 50 objects.  These 
five observers will be awarded with honorable mention certificates.

There were a few observers observing Friday night and, amongst them were 
Steve Gifford who imaged 99 objects in the Messier catalog.  Also Steve 
Jaynes found 109 Messier objects, missing only M31.


Best Regards,
AJ Crayon
http://www.saguaroastro.org/


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