Date: Monday March 14, 2016 From: Russ Pinizzotto Subject: Messier Marathon Results Dear Hartmut and Christine, After a hiatus of 13 years in reporting results or even trying a Messier Marathon, I did a Messier Marathon on the night of 11/12 March from Phippsburg, ME, a much more northerly location than in the past. Using 7 x 50, 18 x 50 image stabilized, and 20 x 80 binoculars (on a tripod and parallelogram mount), as well as a Meade 8-inch reflector for M77, M74, the Virgo Cluster and M57, I was able to observe 104 of the Messier objects. I did not observe the final 6 in the sequence because their altitudes were too low and the lightening sky from an impending sunrise made it impossible. Once I couldn't find M15 anymore, I knew that the search was over, no matter how long I waited for Capricorn to rise above the horizon. By the way, I knew that from my location and this early date, M30 was impossible in any case, and that M55 would probably be impossible as well. The ones I missed were M75, M2, M72, M73, M55 and M30. Maybe next year with a later optimal date, I'll be able to find them. However, I expect M74 and M77 will be difficult, if not impossible, in 2017! My previous five Messier Marathons resulted in 54 (1999), 110 (1999), 101 (2001), 83 (2002) and 107 (2003) objects observed, so I am very pleased with this year's results. Clear Skies, Russ R.F. Pinizzotto, Ph.D.