MMICKELS
Aluminum Knight
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 25172
Loc: The Land of Shake and Bake
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Since it's marathon time, I thought I'd start a thread where you all can post your results. I'll be making my second attempt (weather permitting  ) on March 12. The first attempt was fogged out. Please let us know how your marathon went. 
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Mark
"The only thing wrong with immortality is that it tends to go on forever."
Herb Caen
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Special Ed
Post Laureate
Reged: 05/18/03
Posts: 3528
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Hi,
I've been looking for a Marathon thread. Thanks to some prodding from my observing buddy Ed Roach, I'm studying up for my first Messier Marathon. 
When Ed first asked me if I was interested in coming out with him (and some others from the CN forums), I was a little reluctant. I like to look at objects for at least an hour and then maybe make a sketch so it didn't seem up my alley--over 100 objects in ~12 hours?
After some reflection I thought, What could be better than staying up all night with a bunch of astro-nuts? 
Here in West Virginia, we have very dark skies (if it's clear) and so a good chance for success, i.e. seeing all 109. I have read that March 10-15 is the best window and March 14-18 is best. Anyone know for sure?
CS,
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Michael Rosolina
8" f/10 Orange Tube SCT
4.25" f/4.2 Astroscan Reflector
SVP 3.6" f/13.6 CA Reflector
40mm PST f/10
APM Germany HD 15x70 binoculars
Canon 12x36 IS II binoculars
Mark I Eyeball
My CN Gallery
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chascar
sage
Reged: 02/14/05
Posts: 315
Loc: Franklin Massachusetts
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Ahhhhhh Marathon time Here in mass people get the idea I'm talking about Boston that annoying day in April. I'm glad you started this thread I'll let you know my count weather permitting. good luck and clear skies.
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Charles
42.1N 71.4W Member Skyscrapers Inc.
Meade 628/f8 w 80mm guide
Meade ETX 90 EC
Tasco 9TE-5
Swift 7x50 Seahawks
Nikon 10x35 6.6 WF
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 20448
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Over 100 objects in 12 hours?  The moon hasn't risen yet tonight so I thought I would work on Messier observations. Let's see....I got a whopping 3 in about one hours' passing with my binos. Then followed up with the scope at 116x magnification to get a closer look at the three I found to begin with.
Again...>100 in 12 hours?! 
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Erika
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350
Having Fun in the Sun!
More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have.
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MMICKELS
Aluminum Knight
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 25172
Loc: The Land of Shake and Bake
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Erika, The Year Round Messier Marathon Field Guide gives you an approach to help locate them all in that time frame. If you don't have it yet you might check it out. It's published by Wilman Bell Publishing. The book has Telrad finder charts that are most helpful.
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Mark
"The only thing wrong with immortality is that it tends to go on forever."
Herb Caen
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5028
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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Erika, I've tried it twice and reached 103 & 108. It's not as hard as it seems, just takes some skill and determination. The Year-Round book that Mark mentioned is fabulous for using any night to give you practice on locating those objects.
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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BillFerris
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/17/04
Posts: 2582
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Hi Michael,
The marathon window for mid-northern observers (30º to about 35º North latitude) begins around March 17 and continues through about April 3. Before the 17th, M30 is too close to the Sun to be seen. After April 3, M74 is too close to the Sun. A New Moon falling on or about March 23-25 is my pick for the optimum night. Back in 2001, I ran successful marathons on back-to-back nights. I got all 110 the night of March 23-24 and did it, again, on the 24-25. Here's my report: Quest for 220
The northern cutoff for having all 110 objects available in one night is about 40º latitude. North of that line, M30 is too close to the Sun. To my knowledge the northernmost 110-object marathon was run in 2003 by Paul Jones from Fancy Gap, Virginia (36.7º North). Is that where you'll be observing next weekend?
Even though 2005 isn't favorable for an "All 110" attempt, the Messier Marathon can be great fun. If the weather cooperates, you've an opportunity to see more than 100 of the finest clusters, nebulae and galaxies in the heavens. And the more observing buds along for the ride the better.
FYI, three of the next four years offer reasonable chances at getting all 110: Planning a Messier Marathon
And here's my observing list. The evening sequence is very non-traditional, but it works for me: The Observing List
Regards,
Bill in Flagstaff
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Grand Canyon Adventure
Lowering the Threshold
18" Obsession
4.5" Meade 4500
10x50 Swift Audubon
Cosmic Voyage
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Has anyone actually seen all the Messiers in one night? I understand that a few of them are difficult if not impossible to see due to their location in the early evening sky.
Roger
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MMICKELS
Aluminum Knight
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 25172
Loc: The Land of Shake and Bake
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Roger, it has been done before (not by me though).
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Mark
"The only thing wrong with immortality is that it tends to go on forever."
Herb Caen
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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What is the recommended aperture for the marathon?
My C11 never leaves home (at least not farther than a local park), and I've been thinking of getting a larger newt to travel with.
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BillFerris
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/17/04
Posts: 2582
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Hi Roger,
Yes, there've been at least 60 instances of observers getting all 110 (109, if you don't include M102) in a single night. Some are repeat offenders, so the number of individuals who've run the table may be closer to 50. Most on that list were either at the 2001 All-Arizona Messier Marathon (AAMM) or the 2003 AAMM. I was one of 25 who got all 110 during the 2001 AAMM (Bill Ferris' 2001 marthon report).
'SEDS is sort of the unofficial "official" repository of Messier Marathon results: Messier Marathon Observer's Results
You'll find links on the above page to historical (pre-1990) marathon results; links to results submitted every year since 1990 and a link to a record of observers who've gotten all 110. As I say, it's unofficial but still the most complete record of marathon results I know of.
Regards,
Bill in Flagstaff
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Grand Canyon Adventure
Lowering the Threshold
18" Obsession
4.5" Meade 4500
10x50 Swift Audubon
Cosmic Voyage
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BillFerris
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 07/17/04
Posts: 2582
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Robert,
The minimum aperture for the marathon depends a lot on the quality of the observing site and the observer. All the Messier objects are visible in a 60-mm aperture under optimum conditions. But of course, the timing of the marathon is such that several objects must be seen under less than optimum conditions. The most difficult objects are, in my opinion, M110 and M74. M74 is the most challenging.
If you visit the SEDS marathon results page (see my earlier posting in this thread) and go to the 2001 results for the 2001 All-Arizona event, you'll see a wide variety of instruments were used: 11x80 binos, 5-inch Mak-Cass, 6-inch RFT Newt, 8-inch SCT, and other apertures up to 20-inches.
For my nickel, the perfect scope for this event would be a 6- or 8-inch fast (~f/5) Newtonian. That's more than enough aperture for the job. The wide field views would make it great for sweeping up objects, quickly.
Regards,
Bill in Flagstaff
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Grand Canyon Adventure
Lowering the Threshold
18" Obsession
4.5" Meade 4500
10x50 Swift Audubon
Cosmic Voyage
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Thanks Bill!
I checked out the planning HP above, some good stuff there as well.
I've had my sights on getting an 8" Vixen newt, with the skies we get over here (even in "darker" sites) I'll probably need all the aperture I can get.
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 20448
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Bill, so there's a little hope for me with the ETX70? Maybe in a few year's time we will be able to afford a bigger scope, but for now, I have to make due with what we've got.
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Erika
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350
Having Fun in the Sun!
More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have.
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SaberScorpX
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/12/05
Posts: 4121
Loc: illinois, usa
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Messier Marathon Warm-Up
3 Mar 05
41.5N LVM5.5
30x80 MegaViews
Ran thru the first half (up to Virgo) of my M-Cubed (Messier Marathon from Memory) Thursday night.
Before moonrise I also checked-on Jove and Saturn, along with comet Machholz (hanging-in there at 6th mag.) and the unsung, dusty 8th mag. open cluster ngc188 near Polaris.
I've acheived 'honorable mention' three times with 109 total from 41.5N but throw-in the Double Cluster, Rosette complex, and Saturn Nebula for good measure 
The toughest part here each year is keeping the skies clear all night!
Full Marathon planned for the 11/12th.
Wishing everyone clear skies next weekend,
Stephen Saber
Ready to tackle the Herschel 400?
http://www.geocities.com/saberscorpx/SGH400.html
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LivingNDixie
Lord of Ferrets
Reged: 04/23/03
Posts: 15790
Loc: Hoover, AL
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Hey Robert! Ed Ting from scopereviews had a article once (mays still do) said his favorite scopes for messier marathons were usally alt az mounted, because they are easier to move arround with... But thats just once oppinion. I did a messier marathon back in oh March of 2001, using a LX200. I think I got all but 2 or 3. The hard part is staying up when you use goto
So whats your darkest skies like in Japan??? Mine here outside of Bham aren't all that great, more b/c of humidity. But there is a wildlife mgment area that shows some promise
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Preston
Celestron 11" Nexstar GPS XLT
Lunt LS60T/Ha 60mm f/8.33 (on order)
It’s not finishing something when your tank is empty that makes you a stronger person. It’s brushing yourself off and refacing the foe that defeated you with the same determination and willingness to fight that you had when you began your journey.
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Thanks Preston,
I used to own an old 10" Meade LX5 on a wedge that I travelled to dark skies with but have since sold it.
Actually when I began this hobby last spring, I got lulled into thinking I could see the fuzzies the same way they look in astrophotos  , and of course from our light polluted skies I was only able to see the brighter ones.
In the mountains about 2 hours from my location I am able to see hints of the milky way, another 3 hours of driving in winding rough roads into more uninhabited places and things get much better but that's 10 hours of driving total.
Which is kind of why I've gotten hooked on the planets.
Though the marathon is a good opportunity to learn more about DSO's and try to find them without GOTO.
Are you trying again this year?
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5028
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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Quote:
so there's a little hope for me with the ETX70?
Absolutely, Erika. I'm thinking about using my 20x80's this year. Your 70 is capable of viewing all the Messiers assuming your skies are pretty dark. It's fun to try at least once
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 20448
Loc: Ohio, USA
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Yes it would be fun to try...I had better brush up a little.
I doubt they'll me use my scope for the AL list since it has a goto, even though I am able to slew instead of using that feature. I think I'll call them just in case. In the mean time, I've been using my binos, but it's been a bit rough here in town. It would be better at my mom's house since she lives in the country.
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Erika
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350
Having Fun in the Sun!
More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have.
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5028
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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How about trying the AL's Binocular Messier Club Erika? It can be done with the gear you have.
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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Erix
Toad Lily
Reged: 12/25/04
Posts: 20448
Loc: Ohio, USA
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I've already recorded a few for the binocular list, but with the light pollution it has been dissappointing. Not sure if it is me still trying to find my way around the sky, or conditions. My 12x25's need collimation as they've been banged too many times on hikes. There's another set floating around somewhere, but the 7x50's are my best pair.
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Erika
10" LX200 Classic, ETX70-AT, DS Maxscope 60mm, 12" Truss Dob, Orion ED80, WO Binoviewers, 10x50's and 7x50's Binoculars, Rebel XT 350
Having Fun in the Sun!
More solar fun: 2007 July - tracking NOAA10963
Support bacteria. It's the only culture some people have.
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EdZ
Professor EdZ
Reged: 02/15/02
Posts: 12565
Loc: Cumberland, R I , USA42N71.4W
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Stephen Tonkin has written this article about completing the marathon. He includes some sound advice and a host of finder charts.
http://astunit.com/tonkinsastro/messier/messier-marathon.htm
edz
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Teach a kid something today. The feeling you'll get is one of life's greatest rewards.
member#21
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30019
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Somebody asked me at the most recent TAAA meeting what "my number" was going to be. I told him being there was my goal this year - I couldn't arrange things to attend the All Arizona Messier Marathon last year, and that was big diasappointment. Whatever number I come up with in the end on my first attempt will be a bonus!
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
"If we don't change direction soon, we'll end up where we're going." Professor Irwin Corey
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5028
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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If I make it I'm thinking about trying the marathon with my 20x80's. My first year I tried a 6" dob, last year I used my ST80, so it seems like I'm challenging myself with smaller optics every year. Maybe next year I'll try a monocular
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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Greg K.
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 9971
Loc: Clifton Park, NY
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When you can do a naked eye marathon that'll be pretty impressive
Dang, this sounds fun. I wonder if I can make it to Arizona City. I guess GOTO is allowed at the all-Arizona but if I go I may just bring my manual-converted LXD55 mount and use my scope on that.
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NexStar 11 GPS
Orion SkyView Pro 8EQ w/ Autostar
15x70 Celestron SkyMasters
Orion 90mm Mak
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5028
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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I think Walter Scott Houston mentioned actually trying that in Deep Sky Wonders. My tired old eyes aren't really up to the challenge.
I've seen plenty of folks using GOTO Greg, so don't hesitate to try it that way. IMO, it's not about winning or beating anyone, but it's definitely about having fun and enjoying a dark night under the stars with some very good company.
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30019
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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It certainly looks as if the weather will be good, this year. This assessment is, of course, subject to change without notice... 
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
"If we don't change direction soon, we'll end up where we're going." Professor Irwin Corey
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5028
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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Hey, last year proved without a doubt that the weather can turn on a dime. It was cloudy when we arrived, but they parted with the starting of the marathon. I'm pretty happy I decided to stick around
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Scott
10" LX200 Classic, Konus 200, Orion ST80, ETX90 OTA, 60mm Celestron alt-az, Obie 20x80's, Meade 10x50's
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Greg K.
Reged: 12/11/03
Posts: 9971
Loc: Clifton Park, NY
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I'd use the GOTO but I'd need to hurry up and buy a power tank., and even then doubt it would last all night. Besides, I don't mind the star hopping challenge.
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NexStar 11 GPS
Orion SkyView Pro 8EQ w/ Autostar
15x70 Celestron SkyMasters
Orion 90mm Mak
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ArizonaScott
Postmaster
Reged: 04/29/04
Posts: 5028
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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