Date: Tue, 1 Apr 2003 13:27:07 -0600
From: David Stine
Subject: 2003 Messier Marathon Results


We had a great night of marathoning at the TUVA Observatory outside of
Council Hill Oklahoma Saturday March 29th.  It was cold evening but we
had clear and beautiful dark skies at the site.  Ron and Maura Woods
founders of the annual TUVA Messier Marathon were very good hosts,
setting up a table of food and beverage for all. We had 15-20 observers
from both the TUVA Astronomy Club and the Astronomy Club of Tulsa. 
Gerald Miller from TUVA took photos of the event and they can be seen at
the TUVA site  www.tuvaclub.org   When you get to the site click of Club
News to see the pictures.  Before the night we had interesting talks and
a video of Denny Mishlers, Tulsa Astronomy Club president, trip to the
BAJA for a total solar eclipse and Gerald Miller talked about the
expansion products of TUVA North Observatory.  By 7p.m. everyone was
ready for a night of marathoning.  It was still light but you could see
Jupiter so we knew M44 was right beside it so it was the first M object
for the night for everyone. Then we got down to business, the elusive M77
and 74, no luck on to M31.  Rod Gallagher was the first to locate it and
others followed.  When the 1st Marathon was undertaken at TUVA, I found
the most objects that 1st year, 98.  So Ron decided to have a contest
each year and the person finding the most M objects would be awarded the
David Stine Award in honor of me being the 1st.  Well Rod located the 1st
and didn't stop he ended up finding 104 objects winning the David
Stine Award.  I ended up with 88, not bad though. Others were Denny
Mishler 38, and Steve Chapman 25.  These are the ones I know about. 
Overall it was the best marathon we had attended in several years.  In
addition to M objects we also viewed Vesta and most of the planets and
Omega Centauri Globular Cluster.  A great night for all.