We are planning to have a 2nd attempt at our 2006 Messier Marathon on Friday 24th March. The observing will take place at Killylane Reservoir, Shanes Hill, just off the main A36 Ballymena to Larne road. If you are interested in coming along, drop me an email or phone me on 028 44821630 or post a message to the EAAS forum.

We are planning to have our Messier Marathon from 7pm-5am at Killylane Resevoir, Shane's Hill, on the main A36 road between Ballymena and Larne. On entering the road for the reservoir, go up over the hill watching for the ramps, swing round to the left and continue past the 1st carpark and down a slight hill to a clear area where we will be setting up. If you plan in arriving between 7:30pm - 10pm, park in the 1st carpark and walk down to the next one, use sidelights after this if you are bringing a large scope later on.

If you do not wish to do the Messier Marathon please still come along from 7pm-11pm for some observing but try not to disturb those that are doing the Messier Marathon as full concentration will be required.

54°49'5.06"N
005°59'25.08"W

http://www.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?lat=54.818&lon=-5.991&scale=25000&icon=x



Download and printout your Messier Marathon log sheets and finder charts.

http://www.geocities.com/sftonkin/messier/messlog.htm

Also, how about using this opportunity to have a go at the IFAS Messier Observing Challenge. (includes finder charts and place to sketch and log observations).

http://www.irishastronomy.org/observers/challenges/index.php

Rise and Set times for all Messier objects on 3rd March 2006 from Killylane Reservoir.

http://www.eaas.co.uk/news/20060303_MM_observing_list.html

Clear Skies

Mark Stronge