Messier Marathon 2012

FIRST TWO PRACTICE SESSIONS FOR MM 2013

TWO PRACTICE SESSION FOR MM 2013 WERE CONDUCTED ON 2 FEB., 8 TO 10 PM AND 3 FEB., 4 TO 6 PM. 27 PARTICIPANTS HAVE THUS FAR REGISTERED FOR THE EVENT WHICH IS TO BE HELD ON 9 MARCH AT GAYATRI MANDIR, WANKANER. THREE CLUB MEMBERS VISITED THE LOCATION ON 3 FEB. FOR EXAMINING ITS SUITABILITY. NEXT SESSION IS PLANNED ON 9 FEB. SATURDAY AT 8 PM.

DETAILED TIME TABLE OF MM 2013 TRAINING SESSIONS

DATE AND DAY	TIME		PLACE	OTHER DETAILS
2 Feb. Saturday		8 pm to 10 pm	RCSC	Theory and Practical (Messier objects)
3 Feb. Sunday	11.30 am to 12.30 pm		RCSC	Theory (debriefing of practical session of previous night and planning of next practical session)
9 Feb. Saturday	8 pm to 10 pm		RCSC	Practical session (Messier Objects)
10 Feb. Sunday	3 pm to 5 pm		RCSC	Theory (debriefing of practical session of previous night and planning of next practical session)
16 Feb. Saturday	8 pm to 10 pm		RCSC	Practical sessions (Lunar Observation)
17 Feb. Sunday	3 pm to 5 pm		RCSC	Theory (debriefing of practical session of previous night and planning of next practical session)
24 Feb. Sunday	3 pm to 5 pm		RCSC	Theory (planning of marathon day)

MESSIER MARATHON 2013 PLANNED

This years Messier Marathon has been planned on 9 March 2013. Stay tuned for more updates...

A CHANCE TO VIEW CHARLES MESSIER'S LEGENDARY CATALOGUE IN ONE NIGHT

Throughout the world, amateur astronomy clubs organize event called Messier Marathon in late March or early April. It is a race against time to locate all 110 objects of the Messier Catalogue. Charles Messier actually compiled his famous catalogue to aid comet hunters. He carefully logged the deep sky objects that resembled comets so that comet hunters would not be misguided to believe that they had discovered a new comet. The important thing about these objects is that they are easily accessible by equipments an average amatuer possesses. This year, the favorable period is from 27th of March to 5th of April.
     The Big Bang Astronomy Club has also been organizing this event since last year and this year also it has been planned on 30 and 31st of March. Please contact neeleshrana@rcscrajkot.org for more details.

BASICS OF SKY WATCHING WORKSHOP AND MESSIER MARATHON

A two day workshop on basics of sky watching and then a full night messier marathon has been organized by big bang astronomy club. This workshop will include each and every minor detail about sky watching that is necessary for a complete novice. The schedule for the workshop is as follows:
DAY 1: 30 MARCH 2011
2.00 pm to 6.00 pm and then a practical sky watching session from 8.00 pm to 11.00 pm
DAY 2: 31 MARCH 2011
11.00 am to 1.00 pm
2.30 pm to 4.00 pm
and then a full night session at Jadeshwar near Vankaner from 5.00 pm onwards
the fees for the workshop is Rs. 300/- per participant

for more information contact Regional Community Science Centre, Nehru Udhyan, Race Course, Rajkot or mail: neeleshrana@rcscrajkot.org

HUNT FOR HARTLEY DAY 2

one more fruitless effort....although I was not very optimistic about today morning as rajkot had showers late last evening but still the sky seemed to be cloudless but hazy at 5.30 am today. Also read a very large article in divyabhasker (gujrati) about three "wonderful" celestial events, the full moon, comet Hartley and the Orionids meteor shower whereas actually the full moon is going to ruin the view of the shower whereas Hartley was supposed to be 5th magnitude object (which would make it an easy object even with naked eye) but has defied all assumptions.