Messier Marathon CANCELLED for March

[jjones7777]

Greetings all,

Without a doubt, this winter is NOT like last winter. After looking at the condition of the observing field at Cherry Grove this past weekend, it is has been decided that we POSTPONE the Messier Marathon until APRIL 5TH (with backup on the 6th). Without considering the upcoming snow storm, it would simply not be possible to utilize the field effectively, even with the addition of another week of waiting. Consequently, it seems best to simply wait for warmer weather in April. Unfortunately, Daylight Savings Time will then be in operation, pushing everything back an hour.

Our apologies to all of those who were ready for this weekend. Hang on! Observing Season is right around the corner!

[Dave Venne]

Jerry,

Does this mean that the associated MM public star party scheduled for March 8 at Eagle Lake is also cancelled and rescheduled to April 5?

Dave

[wkocken]

Unfortunately, Daylight Savings Time will then be in operation, pushing everything back an hour.

Good decision. I'm not sure if DST pushing things back an hour is a problem this time of the year. I always found it challenging to get to CG early enough, especially on Fridays.
Bill

[jjones7777]

Does this mean that the associated MM public star party scheduled for March 8 at Eagle Lake is also cancelled and rescheduled to April 5?

Dave

Hi Dave,

I think this one is mostly Merle's call, although he has told me that he doesn't expect Eagle Lake to be in much better situation than Cherry Grove, especially now with the new snow. I've asked him - we'll get an answer.

[merle]

Jerry,

Does this mean that the associated MM public star party scheduled for March 8 at Eagle Lake is also cancelled and rescheduled to April 5?

Dave

Due to the snow and ice, there are not many places to set up scopes at Eagle Lake either, so the Messier Marathon for March 8th is cancelled. Having the marathon on April 5th will conflict with the Imaging Marathon scheduled for that night and the 6th is a public night. We can still have a "visual" marathon the same night as the imagers, but since the discussions to have a imaging marathon precede the change of the marathon date to April, I'll defer extending an invitation to the visual observers to the organizers of the IMM.

Either way, the main marathon would be at CGO.

Merle

[mtuepker]

I can't speak for all of the imagers, but observers are welcome to join our IMM party if they would like. Just be warned, we do have a few more lights and what not going off and on due to the nature of imaging, but we all still try to stay very respectful of every one's night eyes.

[Dave Venne]

Ditto on that--It looks like we will be only three in number. It makes sense to yield to the greater audience. Please do reschedule for April 5.

[Bryan]

Oh too bad. I was looking forward to my first star party. I suppose I don't have my mirrors collimated and the tool is still in the mail so it's not the worst timing. Looking forward to April!

[jjones7777]

Thanks for the flexibility, imagers. Us eyeball guys appreciate it.

[Dave Venne]

What is the official status of the public star part that was scheduled for March 8? It is still listed that way on the MAS home page.

Is it rescheduled as a public star party for April 5? Or as a private star party? Or not at all?

From the discussion above, I've assumed it would be rescheduled to April 5 with the same designation as before. This is how I have posted it on Facebook.