[sac-forum] Re: Initial report from the All Arizona Messier Marathon

AJ,

If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer to drop them off to you tomorrow on
the way home, probably 1730-1800ish, depending on traffic. 

A few things for your Do better file. 


Rick Tejera 
President 
Editor SACnews
Saguaro Astronomy Club
Phoenix, Arizona
saguaroastro@xxxxxxx
www.saguaroastro.org


-----Original Message-----
From: sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:sac-forum-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of AJ Crayon
Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2008 14:01
To: sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx; az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [sac-forum] Re: Initial report from the All Arizona Messier
Marathon

Rick, thanks so much for taking over in my, and Jack's, absence.  Seems
there was a good time had by most.  Certainly Jimmy, Ken and Beevo don't fit
in this category - did I miss anyone?  We certainly hope their scopes can be
well cared for.

Let me know when we can get together today so I can get the marathon paper
work.

AJ Crayon
Phoenix, AZ

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick Tejera" <saguaroastro@xxxxxxx>
To: <az-observing@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>; <sac-forum@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2008 10:53 AM
Subject: [sac-forum] Initial report from the All Arizona Messier Marathon


> Well I Arrived about 1430 to find Jimmy packing up to go home with a 
> broken
> scope and a broken heart. Honestly, the first time I seen him with a long
> face. At least it sounds like his insurance will cover the damage once he
> gets some confirmation of what happened. Also glad to hear that Steve Coe
> will be okay after his injury at the antennas site. That's one of the
> reasons for my inviolate "No observing alone unless it's in the backyard"
> rule.
>
> Anyway back to the AAMM. As usual by the time I arrived there were several
> groups set up all over the field. After providing Andrew, Wes & Ken with
> some entertainment trying to pitch my tent in the wind, Andrew & I headed
> out to meet the masses and hand out the Checklist & Waiver for those who
> needed them. Andrew counted at this time about 40 folks. BY the time we 
> got
> back to my car many more had arrived.
>
> I began the twilight talk in AJ Stead, at 1800 and counted about 80 folks.
> Not counting those who did not attend the talk and those who arrived 
> later,
> My best guess is we topped 100 attendees. As you'd expect PHX & TUS had 
> the
> largest showing, along with several folks from California, One gent from
> Portland OR and our Amigos from Hermosillo, Mexico. I didn't get a chance 
> to
> meet them last year as I did not attend, but made up for that with a  most
> pleasurable conversation this year. The furthest traveled this year were
> some folks who ventured here from Saginaw, MI.
>
> The wind did indeed die down after sunset, although a fairly noticeable
> breeze did make itself know at points through out the night. There were 
> some
> high clouds to the north and over Tucson, which as you'd imagine help
> emphasize the skyglows from those two cities.
>
> I did not marathon, but set out to work on some H400's that need taking 
> care
> of. I didn't get very far as I think my secondary is badly out of 
> alignment
> in rotation. I just could not get a good collimation, so I just mingled 
> and
> took in the big picture. Hit the hay about 0130. I was woken about 0500 by
> folks bringing their Marathon check off to me. By the time I left the 
> field
> I had collected 45 checklists. Steve Dodder stayed behind to collect any
> stragglers. We think there may have one or two more that I didn't collect.

> A
> quick glance when I got home and it look like the top three score were 
> 109,
> 108 & 107, Yes, someone saw M77. Many observers said they picked up 
> several
> of the traditional evening objects in the morning as they were hidden by
> some low lying clouds in the evening.
>
> As I collected the checklists, I made sure to ask if a good time was had 
> and
> was please to hear nothing but "Yeses" and many thank to SAC for hosting a
> great event.
>
> I'd be remiss if I didn't pass on a very big thank you to Claude Haynes 
> and
> the East Valley Astronomy Club, for their generous offer to host a snack
> table. This was at no charge to SAC or those who partook, although 
> Donations
> were accepted. All those proceeds are destined to the Robert Burnham Jr.
> Memorial Fund, a truly worthy cause.
>
> Thanks to AJ Crayon & Jack Jones for all their hard work organizing the
> event. My participation was easy thanks to their efforts. Too bad they
> couldn't enjoy the fruits of their labors.
>
> I'll let AJ tally up the Checklists and post an "Official" report once
> complete.
>
> Now to take my wife to the airport and catch up on my beauty sleep.
>
> Clear Skies
> Rick Tejera
> President
> Editor SACnews
> Saguaro Astronomy Club
> Phoenix, Arizona
> saguaroastro@xxxxxxx
> www.saguaroastro.org
>
>
>
>

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