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by Dave Sworin
As you already know, both club Messier Marathon observing party dates were rained out. Fear not, this does not dampen our enthusiasm for independent Messier observation. Full rules for the event are reprinted in this issue, and you have plenty of opportunities to try the Messier Marathon challenge any time from now through May 30, 1999.
Just follow the rules printed below, record the data required, and postmark your entry by May 31, 1999. This gives you plenty of chances to do your best. Prizes and certificates will be awarded. The board of directors has empowered Alane Alchorn (circlewing@aol.com) to select a variety of desirable toys and trinkets for the winners. You will find more details on the prizes and certificates in future editions of Prime Focus. If you have questions about these rules, e-mail Dave Sworin (Davesw5@aol.com). We're keeping this challenge informal and trying to give everyone an even chance, so join in the fun!
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Messier Marathon Philosophy
This Messier Marathon has been organized to encourage the broadest participation by amateur astronomers, while maintaining fairness for everyone on a single playing field. In a sense, the rules create a handicapping system for Messier Object observing. Inevitably there will be inequalities, with some favoritism given by this system, but we hope that this Marathon will be an interesting and fun competition for everyone who participates.
Messier Marathon Rules
1. VERIFIED OBSERVATIONS ONLY
Each Messier Object recorded must be witnessed by another person. This person does not have to be a club member or an observer. In the case of a visual observation, this means that another person must look in the eyepiece and see the object. In the case of a CCD observation, the witness may review the picture of the object immediately on a computer screen. In the case (See Messier Marathon, Page 6)
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