MB Mini Messier Marathon results

by Matthew Marcus

I was there on Saturday and started a mini-MM using that same issue of Astronomy as a reference. I was using setting circles (analog) for navigation, which some would say invalidates an MM.

In the course of doing ~40 M's, I discovered several things about the MM:

You observe many of the objects at times other than optimal, either way too early or way too late. For instance, I had difficulty spotting M110 (!) because it was so low in the Western sunset glow that its low SB didn't stand out.
The recommended pace is appropriate to the slower navigation typical of starhopping (that is, my starhopping, not Jay's). Thus, I ended up running into the UMa, CVn and Com objects when they were still too far in the Eastern muck to be readily visible. I could have changed the order a bit and swept up the Leo objects before those, rather than waiting and getting the Leos later as I did. A site with a better East would help a lot.
There's not really time to enjoy the objects, especially since they're often not well-sited.
It got to seem more like work than fun. I don't need that!

Still, it was sort of fun to bang them out one by one. Anyway, I only logged 2 objects because I was working on M's and was also trying for things which are too dim for 8" and MB skies. One of these objects was 2477, a large, splendid OC in the Southern reaches of Puppis, at dec=-38. Were this object farther N, it would be quite famous. The other is an obscure mag 12 galaxy I just barely spotted. It really shows how important a dark sky is. Next MB session, it's bright PNs, multiple stars and bright OCs for me!

Even with all the above kvetching, I did have fun. It had been a while, and I really needed the photon fix. I just hope the weather coooperates for next weekend. The latest prediction is for bad weather midweek to Friday, which of course probably means Wednesday will be gorgeous and Saturday rainy.