Contributed by: Rick Tejera, Marathon Coordinator

The 2019 All Arizona Messier Marathon Report

Well, the 2019 All Arizona Messier Marathon is but a wind blown memory, but 
in spite of the weather, we still had a successful event.  82 people showed 
up including several folks from California, who heard about us on the Cloudy 
Nights forum, a nicer bunch of guys you'd be hard pressed to find, along 
with the usual suspects from Phoenix and Tucson and Kingman. A few folks 
showed up on Thursday and enjoyed a very good night of calm winds and good 
seeing. Friday saw an influx of observers looking to get in an extra night's 
observing. Ma Nature was having an asthma attack and her huffing and puffing 
kept the wind up all night. Most folks gave up and packed it in early. 

Saturday brought in the rest of the observers, who staked out their claims 
and set up for the main event.  But before the Marathon, 33 folks ventured 
over to the Antennas site, where we held a brief memorial to our friend 
Steve Coe, who sadly passed away late last year. Steve's ex wife Linda 
came and brought Steve's ashes. We circled the spot where Steve always set 
up and each aid a few words in remembrance of Steve. Kevin Kozel had made 
a stone marker, which was left on the rise overlooking the site. It was a 
moving tribute to a man who was a driving force in the success of the 
Saguaro Astronomy Club and the Arizona Astronomy community. 
Rest in Peace, Steve!

After returning to the Airfield, we began setting up for the now traditional 
pre marathon dinner, Prepared by Chef Lori Prause and her Sous Chef Mitch. 
We gathered around for a delicious meal of Pulled Pork Sandwiches, fruits, 
chips and cake. We then held a raffle of donated prizes and gave away  a 
lot of nice prizes. The final prize was donated by Kevin Legore an 
Sky-Watcher USA, a Star Adventurer Pro Pack, equatorial mount, won by 
Mitch Prause. 

After the Dinner and raffle, folks headed on back to their scopes to await 
darkness. Again the wind was a factor blowing steadily al night with 
occasional gusts. In spite of this 24 observers turned in checklists, 
18 Visual, 5 Imaging (the most on record since we started the imaging 
event) and one under 18. Two Visual observers saw all 110, 3 saw 109 and 
2, 108. One imager imaged all 110 and 2 saw 109. 

The preliminary results will be published shortly.do not re-post them or 
distribute. Their purpose is to verify the results and make any needed 
corrections. If you did not catch me before I lef the filed and have you 
results, you can email it to me at saguaroastro_at_cox_dot_net by 
Saturday April 6th. 

The All Arizona Messier Marathon is a success because of the hard work of 
many, including:

Rick Rotramel; General Logistics
Jack Jones; T-shirts & Porta Potties
Lori & Mitch Prause; Twilight Dinner
Kevin Kozel; Raffle & Door Prize
David Dilmore; SAC President

And a special thanks to Kevin Legore and Sky-Watcher USA for their 
continued support of the All Arizona Messier Marathon