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Folks,

In our last board meeting (2.12.2025), we discussed and then approved holding the Messier marathon once again at the Eagle Cove Campground at Bruneau Dunes State Park. This is an informal event, and if you'd like to participate, you'll need to make your own reservations in the Eagle Cove Campground through the Idaho Parks & Recreation website, NOT BAS. The dates will be the weekend of the 28th and 29th of March, which is a Friday and Saturday. Saturday is a reserve night in case of clouds.

At the general meeting; I made the official announcement for this event, and as has been done in the past, there may be a potluck dinner on either Friday or Saturday night. More information will be posted at a later date. Park Ranger Greg Harman said the observatory will be open full time that weekend, so if you'd like to join the group, your reservations should be made as soon as possible.

If you are not sure what the process is for the Messier marathon, have not participated, etc. A Messier marathon is an attempt to find as many Messier objects as possible during one night. The Messier catalogue was compiled by French astronomer Charles Messier during the late 18th century and consists of 110 relatively bright deep-sky objects Messier cataloged while searching for comets. You may want to use the log sheet found in the files section on the left-hand side of the Groups.io page.

To help you understand the Messier marathon, you may want to read the enclosed booklet The Observing Guide to the Messier marathon A Handbook and Atlas by Don Machholz, I have also uploaded this booklet to the files section. 

If you have any questions, please contact me.

David Olsen, President

BAS

PS the start time listed for this event (7:20 pm) is  approximately sunset/dusk. Arrive earlier if you want to set up during daylight.

LE