River Bend Messier Marathon 2009

Could we have had more fun? I don't think so...

Our 2009 Messier Marathon was held at Greenville Observatory on April 25, 2009, and a great time was had by all who attended. Despite predictions for 50% cloud cover, the skies stayed generally clear during the evening and temperatures were in the 70s. Who could ask for anything more?

About 10 telescopes and their owners attended the Marathon, and many folks logged more time at the eyepiece than in recent memory. The galaxies of Virgo and Coma Berenices beckoned, and we answered the call. Jamie Goggin, armed with his big 12 inch Dobsonian, offered up spectacular views of M81 and M82, galaxies in Ursa Major, in one field of view. Breathtaking!

River Bend Astronomy Club members setting up for a night of stargazing at the 2009 Messier Marathon.
Photo by Bill Breeden.

Members get a surprise visitor at the 2009 Messier Marathon. Canis Minor, perhaps?
Photo by Bill Breeden.

River Bend Astronomy Club at the 2009 Messier Marathon at Greenville College.
Photo by Mike Veith.

Jeff Menz and his 10" Meade LX-5 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.
Perhaps more important is his TeleVue Ethos 13mm eyepiece, also shown.
Photo by Bill Breeden.

Mike Veith and his Meade ETX125 Maksutov-Cassegrain telescope.
Photo by Bill Breeden.

Bruce Kryfka and his 11" Celestron Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.
He was very happy to have it back from Dr. Sherrod, in tip-top shape.
Photo by Bill Breeden.

Lee Paul and his refractor, complete with an 11mm TeleVue Nagler eyepiece.
Photo by Bill Breeden.

Bill Breeden and his 8" Meade LX90 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.
Oh look, another TeleVue Nagler eyepiece! This one is the 13mm.
Photo by Mike Veith.

Jamie Goggin and his 12" Discovery Dobsonian reflector telescope. Wow - the views we had in this light bucket were incredible! The illusive M101 was even visible!
Photo by Bill Breeden.

Donnie Reagan and his 8" Orion Intelliscope. This telescope has an object locator with a database of thousands of deep-sky objects.
Photo by Bill Breeden.

River Bend Astronomy Club members looking at their observing lists at the 2009 Messier Marathon.
Photo by Bill Breeden.

The official mascots of the 2009 Messier Marathon.
The true story of these doggies - no one knew who they belonged to! They just showed up at the marathon and kept us all company throughout the whole event. Popular opinion was that they are country dogs and the owner didn't know how much fun they were having.
Photo by Bill Breeden.