# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Messier Marathon 2026
- **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 21 Mar, 2026 at 07:30 pm – Sun, 22 Mar, 2026 at 07:00 am
- **Event Description**: Button up your winter coat and fill up your Thermos with strong coffee; the 2026 Messier Marathon is HERE!

Sure, you may have seen the Orion Nebula (M42), the Andromeda Galaxy (M31), and even a handful of other beautiful “Messier Objects,” but what about the ENTIRE catalog of 110 deep-space wonders? Collectively, we are going to give it a try, and do so ALL in ONE evening! Are we crazy? Well, we are astronomers, so you be the judge. 

In all reality, we *won't* see all the Messier Objects, but some astronomers present may give it a good ol' college try. Others will just slowly scan the skies for their favorites to share with visitors. It is all in fun and a great opportunity for the general public to enjoy several observations. 

Join us anytime between sundown on Saturday, March 21st to Sun-up on Sunday, March 22th. Stay for just a few hours of fun observations or for the ENTIRE evening. You are guaranteed to see a bevy of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.

Admission for the General Public is just $5 per person. There is NO CHARGE if you bring a telescope to share your observations with others. Besides a snack or two, you may wish to bring a comfortable chair, blanket, and pillow.

-Open to Everyone

-Arrive Anytime Between 7:30 PM on Saturday and 7:00 AM on Sun. Astronomers can arrive as early as 5:00 PM to set-up.
Stay for the Entire Event or As Long As You Want

-No Park Permit is Required

-No Telescope is Needed (You are, however, welcome to bring your own equipment)

-Our Location: Branched Oak Observatory is located near, but not inside, the Branched Oak Lake and Recreation Area. See here for a Google Map location of Branched Oak Observatory- https://tinyurl.com/BOO-Location-Map


We hope to see you there!



A Quick Background On the Messier Catalog and Messier Marathons.

Between the years of 1760 and 1781, French astronomer and “comet-hunter,” Charles Messier (pronounced mess-ē-ā), produced a list of 103 “fuzzy objects” in the sky. His catalog was created so he and other comet-hunters could differentiate between permanent celestial objects and the transient phenomena for which they were searching. Messier observed the skies through a 4” telescope from the middle of Paris, France, so his list was somewhat limited to only brighter objects and to only certain parts of the celestial sphere. Between 1921 and 1966, historians found evidence for seven additional objects that Messier (or his assistant) had collected but did not have a chance to append the master list. These objects have since been added to the official catalog bringing the total number to 110. The Messier Catalog is composed of 56 Open and Globular Star Clusters, 40 galaxies, 11 Nebulae, 1 Double Star, 1 Asterism (a star pattern), and 1 “object” that is in fact a particularly dense patch of stars in the Milky Way. Although there are far larger and more complete catalogs available to astronomers, the Messier Catalog can be thought of as “the best and brightest” deep space objects visible in the northern hemisphere.

Each year, between mid-March and early April, there is a “window of opportunity” to view nearly all 110 Messier objects in a single evening starting at sunset and ending at sunrise the following day. This year, because of the phase of the Moon and a busy weekend in early April, the weekend of March 9th is going to be best.

You can attend for just a few hours or go all night if you would like. Whatever you decide, it will be an amazing experience.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/raymond/messier-marathon-2026/200029820559608
- **Event Categories**: Sports
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 0

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Raymond
- **state**: NE
- **country**: United States
- **location**: 14300 NW 98th St., 68428
- **lat**: 40.95252
- **long**: -96.85162
- **full address**: 14300 NW 98th St., 68428, 14300 NW 98th St, Raymond, NE 68428-4254, United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Messier Marathon 2026
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events7/banners/c2fbb423128688d2accde6600c5af3051e07ad5ac7340cb0a7a125a8f94dfc62-rimg-w1200-h756-dc010101-gmir?v=1773720487

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Messier Marathon 2026 being held?
  - **A:** Messier Marathon 2026 takes place on Sat, 21 Mar, 2026 at 07:30 pm to Sun, 22 Mar, 2026 at 07:00 am at 14300 NW 98th St., 68428, 14300 NW 98th St, Raymond, NE 68428-4254, United States.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Messier Marathon 2026?
  - **A:** Messier Marathon 2026 is organized by Branched Oak Observatory.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Messier Marathon 2026 is ideal for party-goers, social butterflies, and anyone looking for a great night out with music, drinks, and good vibes. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Raymond, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Messier Marathon 2026 sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

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