The San Antonio Astronomical Association (SAAA), in partnership with Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society (JSCAS), Austin Astronomical Society (AAS), North Houston Astronomy Club (NHAC), South West Region of the Astronomical League (SWRAL.org) and other Texas clubs (e.g., New Braunfels Astronomy Club, Houston Astronomical Society and Fort Bend Astronomy Club), invites you to the Messier Marathon 2026, March 19-23, at Fort McKavett State Historic Site. Our goal is to observe all 110 Messier objects in one night under pristine Bortle 2-3 skies, where the Milky Way casts shadows! This multi-club event, building on JSCAS’s star parties at Ft. McKavett since the 1990s, fosters collaboration and public outreach. Expect cold March nights, similar to car camping at Prude Ranch (Texas Star Party). The agreement with Fort McKavett is that the Marathon will be held Friday, March 20th from sundown to sunrise. With a public outreach program held on Saturday, March 21st. We get to stay free if we do the public outreach.
If you are an Astronomical League member this would be a great time to work on that Messier Marathon Pin!
https://sanantonioastronomy.org/messier-marathon-2026/