From: J.D. Maddy
Subject: 2011 Messier Marathon
Date: Mon, Mar 14, 2011 at 9:28 PM

The Astronomers of Verde Valley in Cottonwood, Arizona held their 2011 
Messier Marathon on March 5th at the Two Trees Observing Site between 
Cottonwood and Sedona. 20 club members and guests were at the observing 
field watching a 1 day old Moon set over Mingus Mountain to the west. 
After a pot luck dinner featuring hot spicy turkey chili as the main 
course, the group manned their scopes and started the Marathon. 
To encourage novice observers, the Club created a Messier 5K. The 5K 
goal was to view and log 50 objects before midnight. A bonus list of 9 
more objects could be seen if some of the first 50 objects were missed. 
Another 11 galaxies in Virgo could be seen for those novices up to a 
challenge. At 2AM clouds moved in shortening the Marathon observers.
 
 The results were:
 
 Marathon: Jim Stevens - 75 objects. 10 Inch home built Dob with digital
   setting circles.
 Marathon: J D Maddy - 75 objects. 11 Inch Celestron on alt-az mount.
 Marathon: Karen Lynn Maddy - 69 Objects. 12.5 Inch Meade modified Light
   Bridge. Star hopped.
 
 5K: Team Doug Ostroski and Teal Sullivan - 60 objects. 13.5 Inch home
   built with DSC's.
 5K: Team Peter Ridout and Dick Haugen - 28 objects. 8 Inch Celestron SE
   on alt-az mount.
 5K: Team David and Keenan Sanders - 60 objects. 6 Inch Dob Discovery
   Mars Scope.
 5K: Frank O'Gorman - 30 objects. 10 Inch Orion Dob.
 
Thank you,
 
 JD Maddy
 President, Astronomers of Verde Valley
 http://www.astroverde.org/