Date: Mon, 18 Mar 2002 12:48:50 -0600
From: Pinizzotto,Russell
Subject: 2002 Messier Marathon Results


Hartmut:

I tried another Messier Marathon from Maryville, MO, this year, my fourth
one overall, but the results were somewhat disappointing.  I logged 83
objects using 20 x 80 Celestrons.  The sky did not cooperate.  It was hazy
with scattered high clouds most of the evening which made things difficult.
Fog rolled in and then it clouded over at about 4:15 am, just like it did
last year.  This time the clouds rolled in from the south instead of the
west.

I missed M77 and M74 in the early evening even though I could see all of the
stars on the charts.  I had to move to the east side of town early this year
to cut down on the sky glow in Virgo.  Even then, it took quite some time to
positively identify all of the galaxies in the cluster.  I could barely make
out Scorpius, and Sagittarius was completely clouded over, so that ended
that.

I may try again in April if anyone in far Northwest Missouri wants to join
me!

Best Regards,
Russ

+-------------------------------------------------------+

  R.F. Pinizzotto, PhD
  Dean, The Missouri Academy
  Northwest Missouri State University
  Maryville, MO 64468-6001
  Voice:     (660) 562-1960
  Fax:        (660) 562-1856
  Toll-free: (877) 398-4615