Short Messier Marathon Observing Report

by Mark Buxbaum

Background
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Had a superb Messier Marathon beginning 03/19/07. It was probably one of my top five observing nights ever. This was largely due to the incredible transparency that night, and the fine resulting views.

Of course, the incredible transparency resulted from the howling winds! With the 45 degree F temperatures, I estimate the wind chill got down to around 33 degrees F- all my warm layers were donned early on!

Around half the Marathon was done with my friend and regular observing bud.

He wimped out around halfway through the Realm of the Galaxies, citing: a) the howling winds (so we had to shelter behind his van, and batten down our charts with rocks!?)
b) his lack of sleep from the previous night
c) his advancing age (okay I'll give him these two).

I do forgive him for leaving me by my lonesome for the remainder of the night though, as his excellent advice recommending I recollimate the secondary mirror on my 12.5" Dobsonian produced incredible views all night.

He also specified where I should pitch my tent to avoid the Sun's morning burnishment- this was also excellent advice as I slept until 11:30am!

But I get ahead of myself.

Observing highlights
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M51- Almost saw the connecting bridge- not bad for a '16" feature' in my 12.5"!

M105- Really a triple galaxy- was a little confusing with M95/M96 nearby...

NGC 3628- Companion of M65/M66- central dust lane?

M84/M86- Nine galaxies in same field-
For the Virgo Cluster, I mostly eyepiece-hopped using the Herald-Bobroff 'E'-charts, as they are magnified enough to match the 73x eyepiece view I used. What do others use for the Realm?

M49/M61- I was getting tired by this point- These took longer to find than M85 and the beginning of the Realm.

M104- Beautiful large halo.

M83- Gorgeous structure in this southern galaxy, which is not visible from my home. This view alone was worth the trip.

M5- !!!

Omega Centauri- Pinpoint stars resolved throughout made it look like a galactic core from close up.

M20- Beautiful color contrast between the two lobes of the Trifid.

M57- I recall the Ring Nebula was a fine change of pace. Why don't we shuffle the M-numbers around some? That way we won't have galaxy, galaxy, galaxy, then globular, globular, globular? Just kidding.

M17- Lovely extension.

Tip: For the many sparse open clusters, I found that having a small photograph of each object helped tremendously to distinguish one from another. I recall this was really difficult at my only prior Marathon in 2003.

Finishing Up
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I ran out of darkness in the morning- too much shilly-shallying earlier putting on more power to view showpieces! Next time- discipline!

Closed up with fine views of Jupiter in morning twilight.

Stopped observing at 6:25am. Hit the tent at 7am.

102 objects total- The same number I found at my first Marathon in 2003! An awesome experience.