Messier Marathon 2026
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Dates: March 19-23, 2026
Location: Fort McKavett State Historic Site, Texas (Bortle 2-3 skies)
Hosted by: San Antonio Astronomical Association (SAAA), Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society (JSCAS), Austin Astronomy Society (AAS), Fort Bend Astronomy Club (FBAC)
Contact: saaa.messiermarathon@gmail.com
NASA/JPL Night Sky Network: Event Details
Join Us Under Dark Skies!
The San Antonio Astronomical Association (SAAA), in partnership with Johnson Space Center Astronomical Society (JSCAS), Austin Astronomical Society (AAS), North Houston Astronomy Club (NHAC) and other Texas clubs (e.g., New Braunfels 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.
Event Logistics
- Venue: Fort McKavett, a remote Texas Historical Commission site, requires 110% self-sufficiency. Attendees stay in barracks or the designated Tent Area. Telescopes are set up on the Parade Grounds (northwest corner preferred). The Fort is willing to accommodate up to 100 people, 2-25 in the Barracks, the remainder in tents.
- RV Details: No RVs at the Fort; The Fire Station next door to the Fort will be offering 14 RV spaces (30 Amp pedestals, no 50 Amp). Water and power at dirt sites, with one dump station. A car path connects the fire station to the Fort. The spaces are available on a first come, first serve basis.
- To make reservations please contact Sarah Fusig ( bsaz@live.com ) at the Volunteer Fire Dept. Phone is 281-910-3516. As of 3/7/2026 Sarah reports that she has 6 Slots still available.
- Facilities: Limited electricity and water provided. Clean, large porta-potties and showers near the main station are available.
- Capacity: Participant capacity 100 astronomers. Each club (SAAA, JSCAS, AAS, NHAC, etc.) must designate an on-site liaison by February 19, 2026, for coordination.
- Nearest Towns: Menard (23 miles, limited lodging), Junction (55 miles, lodging), Brady (70 miles, Walmart). No hotels at or near the Fort.
- Wi-Fi/Cellular: Verizon had good coverage. This will be updated as we get more information.
Astronomical League Observing Programs
Enhance your Messier Marathon experience with the Astronomical League’s Observing Programs and earn participation certificates!
- Messier Observing Program: Observe 70 or 110 Messier objects. Ideal with big binoculars at a dark site like Fort McKavett. Details.
- Messier Imaging Observing Program: Image all 110 Messier objects. Details.
- Binocular Messier Observing Program: Observe 50 Messier objects with binoculars. Details.
- Note: Messier Marathons are not ideal for these programs, as they encourage taking time to observe object details, unlike the fast-paced Marathon environment.
- Certificates: Download Messier Marathon participation certificates from the AL: Download Here.
- Log Forms: Use the AL’s observation log sheet: Download PDF.
- Log Books: Purchase from the AL Store:
Astronomical League Policy on GOTO scopes
A go-to telescope is any telescope that finds objects for you, or assists you in finding objects. Example: a Celestron NexStar 127 SLT is a go-to telescope. If it has a keypad then it is almost always is a go-to. But note that if you hook your smart-phone to it then you also can’t count it as manual. Push-to telescopes are also not allowed. It is simple really, it must be manually operated. It is allowed to track once you find the object, and you can use motors that you control to find the object, just not a computer and database.
Planning and Coordination
SAAA is coordinating with JSCAS (David Haviland, Doug Holland), AAS (Bill Gammerdinger), NHAC (Leanna Fregia), New Braunfels (Stephen Ellery), and Fort McKavett staff (Kevin Malcolm). The Astronomical League (Aaron Clevenson, Dave Wickholm) supports certification. Planning meetings are recorded using MeetGeek (free plan) for AI-generated notes, saved to Google Drive’s “Messier Marathon 2026” folder.
Join the Collaboration!
Connect with us on X/Twitter: @SanAntonioAstro. Tag @JSCAstronomy, @AustinAstro, @NightSkyNetwork, @NewBraunfelsAst, @AstronomyClub for updates. Share your excitement for the Messier Marathon 2026 under Fort McKavett’s dark skies!
Clear skies!
Current Site Conditions: Weather Forecast & Burn Ban Status
Frequently Asked Questions – Fort McKavett Messier Marathon 2026
1. Are the mapped locations accurate?
Yes, the map correctly shows the general layout for the event.
2. Can you drive onto the observation field (Parade Ground)?
Yes, with the understanding that it be for loading and unloading ONLY. There will be designated entry and exit points on the Parade Ground for people to enter and exit. Driving on the Parade Ground must be kept to a minimum, so once you have unloaded you will not be allowed to drive on again until you are loading to depart.
3. Can you stake down tarps?
Yes.
4. Can you stake down equipment?
Yes.
5. Can you drive to the camping areas (and by extension, to the back of the Barracks/Bunk House to unload camping/sleeping gear)?
Yes, with the understanding that once you have unloaded and set up your camp, etc. you relocate your vehicle to the designated parking area.
6. Must you park your vehicle in the designated parking area?
Yes.
7. Are open flames permitted? If so, where?
If we are under a burn ban, which seems likely, then no you may not have open flames (campfires) anywhere on the property.
If we are not under a burn ban, then we can discuss the limitations on campfires. Digging fire pits and/or ground fires are not permitted under any circumstances. We have metal fire pits, pans, and stone hearths that can be used in these circumstances, but only with the direct authorization by Fort McKavett Staff and not prior to the event’s commencement.
8. Are camp stoves permitted? If so, where?
Gas-operated camp stoves are permitted in the camping areas behind the long ruins and within the walls of the ruins themselves. They MAY NOT be operated inside the Barracks/Bunk House or inside any historic building. They may also be used at the Volunteer Center (not pictured on this map) and you will have the ability to use the Site’s large propane grill provided that you provide the propane (it uses two standard propane bottles). You will also have access to the Volunteer Center Kitchen facility as well.
9. If sleeping in the Car, would they have to park in the Parking area?
Yes.
10. Will power be provided and how much will there be?
There is a small transformer within the walls of the Long Ruins that contains six (6) 110V outlets on X breakers. There are also 110V Outlets inside the Barracks/Bunk House itself. We can provide pretty widespread power coverage to the Parade Ground provided that the equipment being run doesn’t overload the breakers. In order to answer this question more fully, I’d need a better idea of how much power is needed.
Those needing power should plan to provide their own extension cords and power strips/multiplugs. I would suggest they plan on providing at least 100’ of cord. I cannot guarantee where they will be located in relation to the power source(s).
11. Can trash be disposed of onsite?
Yes, we have a small dumpster on site. Each person/group will be responsible for their own trash management. Once the dumpster is full, it will be incumbent upon participants to haul their own trash away from the site.
12. Will staff provide security to the Observation field?
No. But I do not believe there will be much cause for concern. The JSCAS has been coming here for years and to my knowledge there has never been a problem with the security of the scopes. I will let David speak more to his experience on that. That said, I certainly understand the concern regarding expensive and very delicate possessions. The Staff at Fort McKavett is not responsible for the security of your equipment and the general public will not be restricted by us from the grounds during regular operating hours. We are willing to provide disclaimers to visitors when they check-in though regarding the Observation field if this group would like to put something together and I can review it to see what we can do.
13. Is there a reservation system for the Barracks/Bunk House?
Not that we are running here at the Site. Traditionally, JSCAS has run their own reservation/sign up process and simply turned in the list of who was staying where into the Site Staff prior to the event. If there is a concern about equitable distribution of spaces in the Barracks/Bunk House amongst the various orgs, I would defer to the Marathon organizers. At the end of the day, I just need to know how many people are planning to stay in the Barracks.
