Search found 136 matches

by jjones7777
Sat May 20, 2023 9:58 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture 2023- May 19/20
Replies: 6
Views: 3205

Re: Virgo Venture 2023- May 19/20

The forecast looks good for tonight. VV is ON for Saturday, May 20th.
by jjones7777
Fri May 19, 2023 11:20 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture 2023- May 19/20
Replies: 6
Views: 3205

Re: Virgo Venture 2023- May 19/20

Well folks... After an hour discussion with our Chief Meterological Officer Kristopher Setnes (I'm sure he's cringing right now), we have decided to CANCEL the Virgo Venture for TONIGHT. NO GO FOR TONIGHT, FRIDAY MAY 19TH. The reason is the smoke, not the clouds. While forecasting clouds is challeng...
by jjones7777
Thu May 18, 2023 8:28 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture 2023- May 19/20
Replies: 6
Views: 3205

Re: Virgo Venture 2023- May 19/20

Well folks,

It’s a dicey forecast for tomorrow due to the smoke. We need to wait until later this evening to get the next smoke forecast so the go/no go call won’t be made until late morning/early afternoon tomorrow. Stay tuned…
by jjones7777
Wed May 17, 2023 1:08 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture 2023- May 19/20
Replies: 6
Views: 3205

Re: Virgo Venture 2023- May 19/20

Well folks, Looking forward to the VV this weekend, it appears that clouds may not be the problem, but smoke from the Canadian fires. Astropheric suggests that smoke will, indeed, cause a problem but we won’t know until we get there. Sadly, smoke causes more issues with transparency than with seeing...
by jjones7777
Sat May 13, 2023 6:19 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture 2023- May 19/20
Replies: 6
Views: 3205

Virgo Venture 2023- May 19/20

Greetings all, The MAS Virgo Venture is scheduled for next week, May 19th/20th at CGO. The purpose is to nap a bunch of galaxies in the constellations of Virgo and Coma Berenices. As this is an OFFICIAL MAS star party, it will be called OFF or ON. At present, the forecast looks hopeful for Saturday ...
by jjones7777
Sat Apr 22, 2023 8:45 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Messier Marathon 2023
Replies: 2
Views: 2181

Re: Messier Marathon 2023

As we suspected: Screen Shot 2023-04-22 at 8.41.17 AM.png I'm calling the Messier Marathon as OFF for tonight as well. Sorry about that. Some forecasts are suggesting that after midnight will be clear, but that's not enough for an 'official' star party. as always, you are free to head out to CGO any...
by jjones7777
Thu Apr 20, 2023 10:07 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Messier Marathon 2023
Replies: 2
Views: 2181

Re: Messier Marathon 2023

Well folks,

I'm calling the Messier Marathon OFF for tomorrow, Friday night. Saturday is looking like it's doomed as well, but we'll hold our breath for a little while longer...
by jjones7777
Mon Apr 17, 2023 1:40 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Messier Marathon 2023
Replies: 2
Views: 2181

Messier Marathon 2023

This year's Messier Marathon is scheduled for this Friday or Saturday at CGO. I will be making a call on the weather later this week, but certainly by 4:00 pm on the day of the event - Friday or Saturday, if Friday is NO GO. Prizes will be awarded at the following MAS meeting. The goal of the event ...
by jjones7777
Thu Sep 08, 2022 5:56 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Mini-Messier-Marathon Sept 23/24
Replies: 3
Views: 3708

Mini-Messier-Marathon Sept 23/24

Greetings all, The MAS Mini-Messier Marathon (4M) is scheduled for Friday/Saturday September 23/24 at CGO. This is an opportunity to observe many of the 110 Messier objects (the primary Marathon is in March/April). Come on out and enjoy the wonderful autumn skies with friends! I have attached a list...
by jjones7777
Tue Sep 28, 2021 3:20 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: MAS Mini-Messier Marathon - Oct 8/9 at CGO!
Replies: 2
Views: 2970

MAS Mini-Messier Marathon - Oct 8/9 at CGO!

Greetings all, I would like to remind you of the upcoming 4-M - the Mas Mini-Messier Marathon that will occur the weekend of October 8th/9th at Cherry Grove (not LLCC, at least not officially) - with Saturday, Oct. 9th being the backup date. As this is an OFFICIAL MAS star party (remember those?), i...
by jjones7777
Wed Apr 14, 2021 11:51 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: 2021 Messier Marathon
Replies: 6
Views: 4153

Re: 2021 Messier Marathon

Other additions to those above: Dick Jacobsen: observed 24 out of 110 on 3/19 and 3/21 (while testing out his new invention, allowing a person to look through the finder with one eye and the eyepiece in another) Martin Godfrey imaged 44 out of 110 on 3/13/21 from him home deck. Keep 'em coming!! (Wh...
by jjones7777
Sat Apr 10, 2021 7:19 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: 2021 Messier Marathon
Replies: 6
Views: 4153

2021 MM - and the winners are...

Greetings all, It's time to attempt to put together a list of all of you who went after the Weird Messier Marathon of 2021. Here's what I had sent to me: Valts Treibergs: imaged 109 out of 110 (from Black Mesa) on 3/10/21 Phil Ramsey: imaged/observed 107 out of 110 (from CGO) on 3/12/21 Jerry Jones:...
by jjones7777
Thu Mar 11, 2021 2:10 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: 2021 Messier Marathon
Replies: 6
Views: 4153

Re: 2021 Messier Marathon

Just for clarification, it is the usual procedure to consider an 'observing night' to run from sundown to sunup. Consequently, anything observed at 10:30 pm on a particular 'observing night' and anything observed at 1:30 am on the same 'observing night' would be considered observed on the same 'obse...
by jjones7777
Tue Mar 09, 2021 11:00 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: 2021 Messier Marathon
Replies: 6
Views: 4153

2021 Messier Marathon

Greetings all, Given the unique Covid-19 situation in which we are currently involved, it has been decided to allow for an individual experience for this year's Messier Marathon. Instead of having one specific location on one specific date, we are encouraging as many as are interested to get out and...
by jjones7777
Fri Jan 01, 2021 5:37 pm
Forum: Beginners SIG
Topic: Observing Lists
Replies: 6
Views: 7781

Re: Observing Lists

Greetings Darin - welcome to the Minnesota Astronomical Society! And, congrats on your upcoming 8” Dob - an excellent choice in a first telescope. Also, I am thrilled that you have discovered the Astronomical League’s Observing Programs. If you allow them to do so, they will help you organize your o...
by jjones7777
Mon Mar 23, 2020 5:24 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Upcoming CGO Messier Marathon on 3/27-28
Replies: 20
Views: 3424

Re: Upcoming CGO Messier Marathon on 3/27-28

Greetings all, Kristopher and I are OFFICIALLY CANCELLING THE OFFICIAL GROUP MESSIER MARATHON HELD AT CGO THIS FRIDAY AND SATURDAY. I really like Kris' #2 idea above. Should it be clear (which some are forecasting clouds and rain), it would be great fun if we, as a entire MAS group of wacky visual o...
by jjones7777
Thu Mar 12, 2020 7:59 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Upcoming CGO Messier Marathon on 3/27-28
Replies: 20
Views: 3424

Upcoming CGO Messier Marathon on 3/27-28

Greetings all, I have received permission from the MAS board to press on with the CGO Messier Marathon on March 27/28, if the field conditions and weather allow (big ifs). That said, Kris and I will monitor the COVID-19 situation as the dates near. Whether or not the Messier Marathon is called ON, e...
by jjones7777
Sun May 05, 2019 8:16 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture next week - May 3/4
Replies: 7
Views: 3176

Re: Virgo Venture next week - May 3/4

Nice job organizing it, Kris! We appreciate your efforts.
by jjones7777
Wed Apr 24, 2019 6:30 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Virgo Venture next week - May 3/4
Replies: 7
Views: 3176

Virgo Venture next week - May 3/4

Greetings all, Well, lets' try this again! Perhaps ole' man winter won't show up and burden our observing field with white. Next weekend - May 3/4 - is the annual Virgo Venture as well as the replaced Messier Marathon for those who would prefer. I have attached the Virgo Venture list - 25 galaxies -...
by jjones7777
Thu Apr 11, 2019 5:02 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Anyone interested in MM next weekend at CGO?
Replies: 11
Views: 1688

Re: Anyone interested in MM next weekend at CGO?

Well, I think we have other problems this weekend that the moon...
by jjones7777
Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:20 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Anyone interested in MM next weekend at CGO?
Replies: 11
Views: 1688

Re: Anyone interested in MM next weekend at CGO?

Right - thanks for the correction on the moon rise time. Around 11:00 AM not pm. It will be up all night
by jjones7777
Sat Apr 06, 2019 5:03 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Anyone interested in MM next weekend at CGO?
Replies: 11
Views: 1688

Anyone interested in MM next weekend at CGO?

Greetings all, Dave Venne tossed me a crazy, wacky idea that I thought I would pass along to you. He suggested that we consider doing a Messier Marathon this coming weekend - April 12\13 at CGO instead of waiting until next month. Here are some pros and cons to this idea (at least the ones I could t...
by jjones7777
Fri Apr 05, 2019 1:16 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6
Replies: 12
Views: 1673

Re: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6

Greetings all, This is one of those rare moments where all of the forecast models agree: it's gonna be cloudy both tonight and tomorrow night. The Messier Marathon is OFFICIALLY CANCELLED for this weekend. If you desire, you are still free to observe at CGO, but there will be no organized star party...
by jjones7777
Fri Apr 05, 2019 9:06 am
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6
Replies: 12
Views: 1673

Re: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6

The weather is looking pretty lousy for tonight and tomorrow night. But, just in case something happens, I won't make the official call until after 12:00 noon today. It will be posted here as well as on the front page of the website.
by jjones7777
Mon Apr 01, 2019 7:04 pm
Forum: MAS Star Parties and Events
Topic: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6
Replies: 12
Views: 1673

Re: Upcoming Messier Marathon April 5/6

Additional info: Brandon Hamil feels fairly confident that the field and parking lot will be in good shape for the MM this coming weekend.