From: Mark Spearman (FPI)
Date: Sun, Feb 25, 2024 at 12:35 AM
Subject: Messier Marathon

Dear BVAC,
 
This is Messier Marathon season - the time when with a lot of fortitude and 
a little luck you can view all the Messier objects in a single night without 
using GOTO.   
Or, if you just want to see how many you can see in a single night, go ahead 
and use GOTO!
 
The best date for the Marathon is March 8, less than 2 weeks away.  So, I will 
host at my observatory and we will have a members (and guests) only star party. 
 
In the observatory warming room, we have a BVAC Messier Marathon Notable 
Achievements plaque.  The last entries are for Tim Cowden in 2013 found 98 
objects with no GOTO, in 2017 Derek Kuhl found 52 objects with no GOTO and 
Mitchell Barry found 42 "new" objects with no GOTO.  Mitchell was in high 
school at the time so the new objects were new to him.  And, after years of 
cloudy Marathon nights, that is the last Notable Achievement we have on plaque.  
So, it is time for some new ones! 
 
It is a lot of fun even if you don't stay for the whole event. 
 
As usual, dress warmly with lots of layers, bring a snack and a chair along 
with your scope. 
 
Please send me an email confirming your attendance and how many you are 
bringing.  If you need directions, I will email those to you.
 
Clear skies,
 
Mark

 
Mark L. Spearman, PhD
President
Brazos Valley Astronomy Club
+1 (979) 324-6766
spearman at factoryphysics.com