From: AJ Crayon
Subject: 2011 All Arizona Messier Marathon

                          2011 All Arizona Messier Marathon

This is the first All Arizona Marathon held at a new site, an abandoned 
airport.  One would think the weather would be in our favor for a first 
time.  Yet it was not and this was not a stellar year for the 
All Arizona Messier Marathon.  Unfortunately, or fortunately, the 
weather report was right on.  It gave a poor report for the marathon of 
very cloudy skies and winds from 5 - 25mph (8 - 40km).  Naturally this 
kept many folks away.  Yet, given the circumstances, there was a nice 
crowd and we counted 35 vehicles and about 50 folks.

At the sunset meeting the topic of canceling the marathon was broached.  
It was met with might be called a mutiny, especially from good friend 
George Robinson and others.  So the marathon was on, with the expectation 
that counts would be low, very low.

I didn't plan on participating because the 14" Dobsonian, with shroud, 
created to much sail area for the wind speed.  So, instead, I walked 
around the observing field and spent some time talking with many folks.  
Actually the walk wound up being about 5 miles because observers was 
setup so far apart along and just adjacent to the dirt runways, which 
were dotted with many-a-shrub.

This year was the first time a segment for imaging was permitted.  
Unfortunately only one imager participated - Wayne Thomas.

As for the observing part, 12 lists were turned in, an expected paltry 
number.  Early evening objects missed were M77, M74 and M33 all of which 
were close to the horizon, and hidden by cloud cover, at evening 
twilight.  Objects commonly bagged were through Virgo, after that it 
became spotty, very spotty.  That is except for the first three places.  
In the morning M30 wasn't available because of a lingering cloud that 
was just about the same azimuth and elevation.

First place went to my good friend and comedian, George Robinson.  He 
saw skies begin clearing of clouds just after 3:00AM.  Does the marathon 
by memory so the clouds weren't that much of a hinderance.  Indication 
there's hope for all of us with GoTo or PushTo Scopes.

Jimmy Ray nabbed second place.  He used his Grandfather's 1964 Edmund 
Scientific 4.25" f/10 "Palomar Jr" telescope with the original 25mm 
Kellner.  Way to go Grandpa!  Jimmy says he will retire the scope after 
this, along with the second place telescope plate.

Bob Christ got a good start since he put his scope in hibernate the 
night before.  Unfortunately, as is the case with most folks, the clouds 
did him in.  Yet he did reinforce his tent so it wouldn't become 
airborne, went to bed at 1:00AM and missed the clear skies.

I arose at 5:30AM and the walk around found George Robinson and Jimmy 
Ray still at their scopes trying to bag M30.  Unfortunately neither was 
successful.

Afterwards everyone that stayed at the site seemed to be glad they 
stayed as spirits were high.  Here's hoping the weather will be in our 
favor for 2012!

2011 All Arizona Messier Marathon co-ordinator
AJ Crayon - acrayon@cox.net
Rick Tejera - saguaroastro@cox.net