Events

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FIRST ANNUAL ASTROCON 2026 🚀
A Retro-Future Celebration of Space, Science, History & Imagination!
Saturday, August 15, 2026
6:00 PM–11:00 PM
Branched Oak Observatory
🟢 MISSION STATUS: GO!
The countdown is underway for something completely new at Branched Oak Observatory!
Join us for our First Annual ASTROCON, an evening celebrating America's fascination with space—from the excitement and optimism of the Space Age of the 1950s and 1960s to the incredible exploration, science and astronomy of today.
We're bringing together a real astronaut, a legendary comic artist, the 501st Legion, cosplay, artists and makers, vintage Space Age artifacts, children's activities, meteorites, STEM, food and, when darkness falls, the real universe overhead!
This isn't just another star party.
This is ASTROCON. 🚀
👨‍🚀 MEET NEBRASKA ASTRONAUT CLAY ANDERSON — 6:00–8:00 PM
We are thrilled to welcome Nebraska's own astronaut, Clay Anderson, to AstroCon!
Clay will join us from 6:00–8:00 PM for a special book signing, featuring his books and an opportunity to meet a man who has actually lived and worked in space.
For young people who dream about becoming astronauts, scientists or engineers—and those of us who never quite stopped dreaming about it—this is a wonderful opportunity to meet a real space explorer.
✏️ MEET LEGENDARY COMIC ARTIST BOB HALL — 6:00–9:00 PM
Art and imagination have always played a huge role in how we picture the future.
Legendary comic artist Bob Hall will join us from 6:00–9:00 PM, creating live quick sketches for AstroCon guests.
Bob will also be joined by other talented artists, bringing another dimension of creativity to our celebration of space, science fiction and imagination.
🌌 THE 501st LEGION — 6:00–8:00 PM
Mission Control has confirmed the arrival of a very special unit!
Members of the 501st Legion will make a special appearance from 6:00–8:00 PM.
Bring your camera, grab a photo and enjoy meeting these incredible costumed guests.
🪐 COSPLAY COSTUME CONTEST
Suit up and become part of the mission!
Come dressed as your favorite space-themed character or create something completely original.
Astronauts. Aliens. Robots. Scientists. Galactic adventurers. Space explorers.
We want to see them all!
We'll award 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in our AstroCon Cosplay Costume Contest.
So raid the closet, fire up the sewing machine, dust off the helmet and report to Mission Control!
☄️ MEET MIKE THE METEORITE!
He's traveled millions of miles.
He's considerably older than you.
And he doesn't say much—but he's still one of our most popular guys.
Come meet Mike the Meteorite and actually touch a genuine visitor from outer space!
Learn about meteorites, where they come from and what these ancient pieces of our solar system can teach us.
🚀 STEP BACK INTO THE SPACE AGE
Before America walked on the Moon, America dreamed about getting there.
AstroCon will feature a special collection of Space Age artifacts and memorabilia from the 1950s and 1960s, showing just how deeply America's fascination with rockets, astronauts and space exploration became part of everyday life.
And we've got some especially fun pieces coming!
🏎️🚀 Courtesy of the Museum of American Speed, we'll have a couple of vintage rocket-themed pedal cars on display!
These fantastic pieces capture the excitement of an era when the Space Race influenced everything from children's toys to cars, appliances, advertising and popular culture.
We'll also have a variety of other unusual and interesting Space Age artifacts on display—but we're not going to give everything away here.
You'll have to come to AstroCon and see them for yourself!
From vintage toys and collectibles to household items and other space-inspired treasures, we're turning back the clock to an extraordinary period when rockets were heading for the Moon, science was changing the world and the future seemed limitless.
For those who remember the Space Age, it may bring back some memories.
For those who don't...
Come see what all the excitement was about. 🚀
🎨 SPACE CRAFTS & STEM FOR YOUNG EXPLORERS
Calling all future astronauts, astronomers, scientists and engineers!
Our younger crew members will have opportunities for hands-on Space Crafts, STEM activities and discovery throughout the evening.
Build. Create. Experiment. Explore.
Because somewhere among the kids attending AstroCon may be a future scientist, engineer, astronomer—or even astronaut.
CURIOSITY: MAXIMUM.
🛍️ ARTISTS • MAKERS • VENDORS
Explore the AstroCon marketplace and meet artists, makers and other creative people who share a fascination with science fiction, space and imagination.
Check out original artwork, cosplay-related items, unique creations and other fun discoveries.
You may even find a little piece of the mission to take home.
🔭 AND THEN...WE LOOK UP.
As darkness falls, AstroCon becomes what Branched Oak Observatory does best.
We explore the real universe.
Our telescopes will turn toward the night sky as our astronomy crew helps visitors discover stars, planets and deep-space wonders overhead, weather and sky conditions permitting.
Special guests, cosplay and Space Age history may bring you to AstroCon...
…but the universe itself gets the last word.
LOOK UP. WONDER. DISCOVER.
🍴 COME HUNGRY!
We'll also have a food truck on site, so plan to grab something to eat while you enjoy the evening.
Come early enough to meet our special guests, explore the displays and activities, grab some food—and then stay as the Sun goes down and the stars come out.
🚀 YOUR ASTROCON MISSION
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2026
6:00 PM–11:00 PM
SPECIAL GUEST SCHEDULE
👨‍🚀 Astronaut Clay Anderson — Book Signing • 6:00–8:00 PM
✏️ Bob Hall — Live Quick Sketches • 6:00–9:00 PM
🌌 501st Legion — Special Appearance • 6:00–8:00 PM
And that's just the beginning:
🚀 Vintage Space Age Displays & Artifacts
🏎️ Rocket-Themed Pedal Cars courtesy of the Museum of American Speed
🪐 Cosplay Costume Contest
☄️ Mike the Meteorite
🎨 Space Crafts & STEM
✏️ Artists & Makers
🛍️ Vendors
🔭 Telescope Viewing & Astronomy
🍴 Food Truck - Ray's Chi Style Kitchen
✨ And a few surprises we're saving for AstroCon!
📍 MISSION DESTINATION
Admission $10 for Adults, $5 Kids 5-13, kids under 5 are FREE
Branched Oak Observatory
14300 NW 98th Street
Raymond, Nebraska 68428
THEBOO.ORG
🚀 BRING THE FAMILY.
BRING YOUR CURIOSITY.
BRING YOUR IMAGINATION.
WE'LL SUPPLY THE UNIVERSE.
The countdown is running.
The crew is assembling.
Mission Control is GO.
See you August 15 for the FIRST ANNUAL ASTROCON 2026!
🚀 LOOK UP • WONDER • DISCOVER

Deep Partial Eclipse Viewing Thursday Night at Branched Oak Observatory
The August 27/28 Lunar Eclipse is a wonderful example of why astronomers talk about what is known as “Eclipse Season.” Eclipses tend to come in pairs because, for a few weeks, the geometry of the Moon’s orbit lines up with the plane of Earth’s orbit.
The August 12th Solar Eclipse occurred at New Moon, when the Moon passed between Earth and the Sun, and just over two weeks later, on August 27, we have a Lunar Eclipse at Full Moon, when Earth passes between the Sun and Moon and casts its shadow across the lunar surface. There is an important difference between the two: a Solar Eclipse is visible only from a relatively narrow path where the Moon’s shadow falls on Earth (Greenland, Iceland, and Northern Spain for the last), while a Lunar Eclipse can be seen from virtually the entire nighttime side of our planet where the Moon is above the horizon. That means this eclipse will be visible across a large portion of the United States, including here at Branched Oak Observatory.
Although technically a Partial Lunar Eclipse, this is an exceptionally deep one, with about 94% of the Moon entering Earth’s darkest shadow. The partial phase begins around 9:34 PM CDT, reaches maximum at approximately 11:12 PM, and ends around 12:53 AM, making the period from roughly 10:30 PM to midnight especially worthwhile for watching. We will be open between 9PM and 1AM IF THE WEATHER IS CLEAR (check the forecast/skies/here on FM before heading out).
As the eclipse deepens, most of the Moon will take on the characteristic dusky red or copper color produced when sunlight is filtered through Earth’s atmosphere. No special equipment is required to watch a Lunar Eclipse, although binoculars or a telescope can make the changing colors and details especially impressive.

Kids ages 3 to 8, to enjoy stories of earth and space followed by craft time, kids will be able to take home their craft when finished. Kids attending will be free of charge. General admission otherwise is $5 each person.