Sorry posted this a bit late. Ida and I are going down for this event.
Dear Oklahoma City Astronomy Club Team,
The San Antonio Astronomical Association (SAAA), in partnership with the Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society (JSCAS), invites your club to the Messier Marathon 2026, March 19-23, at Fort McKavett State Historic Site, Texas (Bortle 2-3 skies). Join us to observe all 110 Messier objects in one night, alongside Texas clubs like Austin Astronomical Society and New Braunfels Astronomy Club, under pristine dark skies!
Event Details:
- Dates: March 19-23, 2026
- Location: Fort McKavett, Texas (barracks, Tent Area, limited RV spaces; capacity TBD)
- Logistics: Self-sufficiency required (similar to Texas Star Party). Porta-potties, showers, and limited electricity/water available. Nearest towns: Menard (23 miles), Junction (55 miles).
- Astronomical League Programs: Earn certificates for Messier, Messier Imaging, or Binocular Messier Observing Programs (details: https://sanantonioastronomy.org/messier-marathon).
- Website: https://sanantonioastronomy.org/messier-marathon
- NSN Listing: https://nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov/club/saaa/events/119243/
Action Requested:
- Confirm Participation: Reply to saaa.messiermarathon@gmail.com by August 15, 2025, to confirm your club’s interest.
- Submit Tentative Estimates: Provide a rough estimate of attendees (barrack, tent, off-site) by August 30, 2025, to help plan Fort McKavett’s capacity.
- Designate a Liaison: Each club must designate an on-site liaison by February 19, 2026, for coordination (contact Kevin Malcolm: kevin.malcolm@thc.texas.gov).
Next Steps:
- Follow @SanAntonioAstro on X for updates. Tag @JSCAstronomy, @AustinAstro, @NightSkyNetwork, @NewBraunfelsAst, @AstronomyClub.
We’re excited to collaborate with SWRAL clubs for this stellar event! Please reply with questions or confirmations. Thank you for supporting astronomy outreach.
Clear skies,
Jennie Haywood
San Antonio Astronomical Association
Dear Astronomy Club Team,
I’m following up on my email from June 25, 2025 about a possible collaboration on a Messier Marathon at Fort McKavett. We’re now about six weeks out and the event is coming together very well.
Quick Update:
- Primary observing night: Friday, March 20 (dusk to dawn March 21)
- Public outreach/star party: Saturday evening, March 21 (the Fort has asked that some of us stay to help, which keeps overnight fees waived)
- Excellent Bortle 2–3 skies, on-site camping/RV options, and a helpful primer on the JSCAS site: www.jscas.net
Would your club be interested in joining us (even just a few members for the public night)? We need to give Fort McKavett a headcount by February 28, so a quick reply by February 25 would be fantastic — even a simple “yes, interested” or “not this time” helps.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Clear skies, Jennie Haywood Messier Marathon Coordinator San Antonio Astronomical Association haywood@sanantonioastronomy.org