Fellow Arizona Astronomers: ********************************************************************** 1999 ALL ARIZONA MESSIER MARATHON Sat/Sun, March 13, 1999 Sat. Sunset: 6:33pm MST Sat. Twilight: 7:55pm MST Sun. Moonrise: 4:37am MST Sun. Twilight: 5:17am MST Sun. Sunrise: 6:39am MST It will be held Saturday, March 13, 1999. That is Saturday night and Sunday morning - an all night affair. The Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix, Deep Sky Group, headed by Chairman, AJ Crayon, manages this event. Helping out this year as Assistant, is Rick Rotramel. Note: * Forms will be available for checking off each object as it is observed. * Turn in form before leaving the site. * Be prepared for a full night of observation. * Arrive before sunset to allow for plenty of time to set-up. For previous Marathons, check out the following web site: http://www.seds.org/messier/xtra/marathon/results.html A port-a-john will be at the site for your use if needed. A note about the site: It is managed by Ray Farnsworth and we should thank him for allowing us use of the site. If you plan on attending, first watch the weather and plan to show up BEFORE sunset. Better yet, arrive well before sunset to give yourself more time to setup and visit with others. Please drive slowly on the observing campus to keep dust levels down. Evening objects that are hard to find are M74 and M77. The most difficult morning object should be M30. So be prepared with red flash lights, nourishing refreshments and an observing plan. Awards, same as in the past. Plaques for mounting on the telescope for 1st, 2nd and 3rd highest totals. Certificates for 50 or more. In order to qualify for awards you need to get an observing form, fill it out, check it off as you marathon along and turn it in before leaving the site. The cost of awards will have to be supported by your club. Observing forms will be available at your club meeting or at the site from the coordinators. Not interested in the marathon? Don't fret, come anyway! Many show up to gab, observe or take astrophotographs. So don't miss this rare opportunity. E-mail recipients of this will find a JPG file attached. S-mail recipients will find a printed copy enclosed. Take I-10 to exit 200 (Sunland Gin Road). From here it is about 29 miles to the site. Turn south (right if coming from Phoenix or left if coming from Tucson) after exiting the freeway. After about 15 miles, the pavement ends and about one mile further, the road turns sharply to the west. After another four miles, the main road will turn south just after the "Silverbell Estates" signs. Three miles past the signs, the road will veer off to the west, and five miles further, the road will pass through a gate. Turn left immediately after the gate and continue for another 2/3 of a mile to the site. * To Newsletter editors: You may use this article, or any parts for publication in your club Newsletter. -AJ Crayon, Chairman & Rick Rotramel, Assistant Saguaro Astronomy Club Deep Sky Group