2004 SBVAA Messier Marathon, Star Party, and Camp Out
March 15-17, 2004
Owl Canyon Campground, Rainbow Basin Natural Area, Barstow, CA http://www.ca.blm.gov/barstow/basin.html
Click on map to enlarge / print out.
Please join the San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers for our annual Messier Marathon, star party, and camp out. A Messier Marathon is an attempt to observe as many of the 110 catalogued Messier objects as possible in one night. This is an excellent opportunity to view some of the best and brightest deep sky objects, hone your observing skills, and enjoy great company under the stars.
The event will be held at the group campsite at the entrance to Owl Canyon campground, Rainbow Basin Natural Area, Barstow, CA. Friday night is the general star party and warm up for the marathon. Saturday night will be the Messier Marathon.
Please note that this is a DRY SITE. Bring your own water as the nearest available water is back in Barstow! Campsites are primitive; facilities are limited to vault toilets. Remember to dress warmly. Campground fee is $6/night.
As with all star parties, please be courteous of other participants and observe standard star party etiquette. Here are some tips. Club members enjoy talking and showing the sights; just be sure to ask before handling any telescope equipment. White light is of particular concern, as it ruins dark adapted vision; taking up to 40 minutes for eyesight to fully recover. If possible, please arrive before dark. If you do arrive late or plan to leave early, please ensure that headlights or backup lights do not shine on participants; use parking lights while nearby and park so it's easy to leave without backing up. If possible, disable or shield car door and dome lights. Use only red diode or red filtered flashlights; red light preserves dark adapted eyesight. Most importantly, be prepared to relax and enjoy good company under the night sky.
Directions to Owl Canyon Campground:
Take I-15 North to Barstow. Take L Street exit and turn left on L Street. Turn right on West Main Street. Turn Left on N First Avenue. Turn left on Irwin Road (turn off is just past a hill with a water tank on it - it's easy to miss). Proceed out of town on Irwin Road until you see the sign for Rainbow Basin (about 7 miles). From Irwin Road, turn left on Fossil Bed Road and follow signs to Owl Canyon Campground. See attached map.
See you there!
Jerry L. Day
Star Party Coordinator
San Bernardino Valley Amateur Astronomers
www.sbvaa.org
Messier Marathon Resources:
Star Party Survival Guide
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/astronomy/stargazing_dos_donts_000607.html
Tips on Participating in the Messier Marathon
http://www.astronomical.org/astbook/messier1.htm
The Messier Marathon
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/messier/xtra/marathon/marathon.html
Messier Marathon Observers Form (ascii)
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/messier/xtra/marathon/marath1.txt
The Messier Catalog
http://seds.lpl.arizona.edu/messier/indexes.html
Messier Marathon Guides:
The Year-Round Messier Marathon Field Guide : With Complete Maps, Charts
and Tips to Guide You to Enjoying the Most Famous List of Deep-Sky Objects
by H. C. Pennington
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0943396549/
Deep-Sky Companions : The Messier Objects by Stephen James O'Meara,
David H. Levy
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0521553326/
