2018
All Arizona Messier Marathon
The 2018 All Arizona Messier Marathon will be held this
year on March 17th, 2018, again at the Salome Emergency Airfield, near the
Antennas Observing Site. Please go to SAC Website for additional information, directions
and a map. In addition, the field will be available on Friday March 16th for an
additional night of observing & socializing.
If you are on Facebook, be sure to join the All Arizona
Messier Marathon Group for update and information as the
event nears.
GPS coordinates:
N33° 34.833m
W113° 35.883m
Elevation: 1,378 ft.
Astronomical
Data
Sunset |
18:44 |
Moonset |
19:07 |
Evening Ast. twilight |
20:07 |
Morning Ast. Twilight |
5:18 |
Sunrise |
6:41 |
Directions and a map to the site can be downloaded from:
Reminder the Friday date is NOT the marathon. It has been set aside for more time to
observe from your personal observing list.
It will also provide more time for socializing on Saturday.
Object
Data Mar 17 and 18 2018
Evening |
Mar 17th |
M74 at Sunset |
31 Degrees |
M74 at Twilight |
13 Degrees |
M74 Sets |
21:16 |
M77 At Sunset |
35 Degrees |
M77 At Twilight |
18 Degrees |
M77 Sets |
21:38 |
Morning |
Mar 18th |
M30 Rises (over hills) |
5:53 |
M30 at Twilight |
-4 Degrees |
M30 At Sunrise |
11 Degrees |
Before continuing be sure you have read and signed the
waiver for the 2018 event. The waiver is
available at this
link. Basically, SAC is not responsible for
loss, theft, broken items, nor for any bodily injuries you may sustain. Sorry for the legalese but it is a sign of
the times. Please turn in the signed
waiver at the event, preferably at the sunset meeting.
Your observing activities will not go unnoticed; there
will be awards in recognition of effort.
People observing or imaging 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; there will be no sudden death
observe off (:
Registration in advance is not required. The event is free and open to all, but we
will need either your or your clubs support to purchase the plaques, which in
the past have cost around $10.00. There
is no charge for the certificates.
**5th Annual Messier Marathon Dinner
& Raffle**
As has become tradition, we will again have a pre-Marathon
dinner & raffle. More details to come via the email groups and Facebook.
**Under 18**
In recent years there has been growing participation by
younger astronomers. To help encourage this trend, this year, the All Arizona Messier
Marathon will offer a separate award category for observers under the age of
18. All U18 observers will receive a certificate of participation. Those
observing 25 or more objects will received a certificate of achievement. And
the top 3 observers in the U18 category will receive plaques as well as the
certificates.
So, if you are under 18 and have an interest in astronomy come on out and
observe! If you know a young astronomer, let them know and encourage them to
join us.
The only caveat is all U18 observers must be accompanied
by a responsible adult and must be listed on that adults Liability waiver.
For previous participants see the Previous Messier
Marathon Observer's Results.
Feel intimidated?
Don't think you can reach high counts?
DON'T WORRY! ENJOY!
« Set your own goals and don't bother
with those high counts.
« The marathon is for having fun!
« Set your goals in order for you to have
fun!
The guidelines are pretty simple, please read them over if
you plan on participating.
« It's an honor system.
« No one is going to be looking over your
shoulder to verify your observations.
« Get an observing
list to keep track of observations.
« Fill out the heading.
« Find an object.
« Observe/image it with your eye through
the main eyepiece of your telescope.
« Mark off the entry.
« Go to the next object.
Start observing/imaging when you are ready, presumably
some time after sun set. It is up to you to decide when you are finished
observing. Some conditions could be when
you have reached a set goal or sometime after morning twilight.
Here are some additional guidelines you should be aware
of. These cover situations and
conditions that have occurred in the past, but in no way
do they cover the myriad of possibilities that may happen.
Locating Objects:
« Participants may use a variety of means
to locate objects. This includes
memorizing positions; using binoculars, books or star charts for star
hopping. The use of setting circles,
either analog or digital is also permissible.
Goto telescopes can also be used.
Multiple Observers:
« In a small number cases
there have been teams of two observers per telescope. This will still be allowed, subject to the
same conditions as has been followed in the past. The condition is that each observer should
find one-half the objects and both must observe all objects.
o
There
is an option in the case of an award.
Either one award can be presented with both names or two awards can be
presented - one with each name. Please
let us know which you select by noting this on the observing list that is
turned in at the conclusion of the event.
In either case, if the award is for a plaque, you or your club will be
expected to pay for one or both. It is
recommended, that when paying by mail, to pay for the award by check or money
order. Please avoid sending payment by
cash.
o
Three
or more observers per telescope can't qualify for an award. It is possible to do the marathon this way,
but none are eligible for awards.
Multiple Instruments:
« Participants using two or more
instruments are eligible for only one award.
This is not to be construed as one award for each instrument, it is one
award for the observer.
Non-Payment:
« Individuals or clubs that haven't paid
for prior awards are not eligible for awards until paid up. However, it is still possible to do the
marathon.
The only form of registration is an observing list that is
used to record your observations and a signed waiver. Be sure to get one, either from one of the
local astronomy clubs, one of the coordinators or at the site. You can also print one from our web site, see
Marathon Order above. If you plan on
using this or your personal printed version at the marathon, please use both
sides so only one sheet is used and turned in to the coordinators. This helps greatly with recording the event
because multiple sheets from many observers can get mixed up, possibly causing
errors in recording the event and determining awards.
Be sure to fill in the top portion so awards and
certificates can given to all who earn them. The observing list will be returned with your
award.
It is important to remember that your list must be turned
in to one of the Coordinators before they leave the site. Either you or someone else you designate may
turn in your list. One of us will stay, at
least until sunrise, so be sure to get yours in before then. This procedure is followed in order to
provide the awards in a timely fashion.
Again, don't forget to fill out the top.
The results will be posted, after some verification, on
the Messier Marathon Observer's Results web page referenced above as well as
the SAC site.
More
Marathon Information
« A description of the object is not
necessary, especially since it will take precious time needed to find the
remaining objects.
« Study the list sequences, or use your
own. Be prepared for the extremely
unlikely case it should become cloudy and the selected sequence cannot be
followed.
« Although it is possible to do the
marathon with a 4-inch telescope, or smaller, or binoculars, it is not
suggested; unless you are an experienced observer.
« Plan on arriving at the site at least
30 minutes before sunset to provide time to setup your telescope and for it to
reach thermal equilibrium. This will also give you time to meet old friends and
make new ones.
« If you are NOT going to stay all night:
o
Park
near the entrance so you don't disturb others when you depart.
o
Please
give a shout a few minutes before leaving and then again as you are about to
depart.
o
This
will give observers time to hide so the light doesn't interfere with night
vision.
o
A
port-a-Jon will be on-site. Remember
this is a primitive site and we strive to make your stay as comfortable as
possible.
« Signs will be posted at the entrance to
remind drivers to keep the speed down because of the dust levels. We are on the Sonoran Desert!
« Please ensure your red filtered
flashlights are in good working order and PLEASE no white lights between sun
set and sun rise. For more information on star party etiquette click here!
We will have a very short meeting just before sunset for
final announcements and words of encouragement.
If you plan on participating, then doing some homework
ahead of time will pay dividends. If interested, the observing list can be made
available prior to the marathon for your reference.
Still not interested in the marathon? COME ANYWAY; enjoy a night of observing,
astro-photography or just plain old socializing.
Please keep in mind this observing site is not our
property, it belongs to the BLM, is rather primitive; which means if you need
something, bring it with you and be sure to take it back with you. Let's leave the site at least as clean as it
was when we arrived.
This year Rick Tejera will be again lead Coordinator.
2018 All Arizona Messier Marathon
Coordinators
Rick Tejera:saguaroastro@cox.net
Rick Rotramel: r.rotramel@cox.net
Jack Jones: telescoper@cox.net
Lori Prause: loriprause@gmail.com
Kevin Kozel: kevin.kozel@cox.net
Saguaro Astronomy Club www.saguaroastro.org