This is the start of a thread to see if we can have one long thread for Member Nights, as we do for other regular events.
Because it’s going to be a continuing thread over multiple nights, please include which member night you’re writing about in each post. Otherwise it will get very confusing very quickly.
As with the other continuing events, ensure you are following this thread to get notified when there are new posts.
So I’ll get this started!
The next OKCAC All Member night at CRO on Saturday, Jan 25th.
Sunset is at 5:55pm and the Moon rises at 5:38am. Will have some planets to look at Venus, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter and Mars.
If you’re planning to come out, please post on here that you are going. We need at least 1 CRO member to open things up. I might come out for this one.
Remember to dress for temperatures 20 degrees colder than the temperature in the city.
I’m planning on coming out for a few hours. I should be there by 5:15.
Here’s to clear skies!
I am going to come out and hope to meet you guys. I should be there by 530-6 on the 25th. Maybe I will be able to see something out of my scope. So exciting.
If the weather’s nice, I’m going to try and make it.
But the long range forecast right now is for 100% clouds. That’s not a good sign.
Hello! My name is Jaid and I am new here. I am currently taking a Descriptive Astronomy Class at UCO and we have a couple assignments for personal experience essays relating to astronomy. I was wondering if this event would be a good fit and also if I need to buy a membership to attend? My first essay is due Feb. 9 so I kind of scrambling to find something.
Thanks!
Jaid, welcome to the forum! We’re always glad to see folks interested in astronomy. You do not need to be a member to attend our observing events, though if your interest in astronomy continues, our club is a good place to meet others also interested in astronomy, and I’d urge you to consider joining.
Our All Members Night at the Cheddar Ranch Observatory sounds like it would be perfect for your needs. Sadly, the forecast right now for Saturday is for completely cloudy, so I’m doubting this event will occur. But we don’t cancel until the day of, as Oklahoma weather can change quickly.
We have another All Members Night scheduled for the following Saturday, Feb 1, and the very long range forecast for that evening is partly cloudy right now. Hopefully that will improve and we get a nice night then.
What Mitche said. But I am going out to CRO 1/25 to post water quality reports and will clean up any areas of the building that need it after this cold spell. If there’s any hope of observing by any members or guests, I’ll open the 14" observatory. I won’t stay past 10, however. At least, visitors can get a tour.
The following Saturday MAY be a better observing opportunity, however.
As i said above, I’ll arrive about 5:15 to open. So best not to arrive earlier.
Awesome thank you so much, I hope that the weather will permit us to all meet up this Saturday, and if not I will definitely be attending Feb. 1.
I will post in my class’s group me as well to see if I can get any other people from my class to join me. It’s an online class so some of the students are in other states or cities, but i’ll be sure to let them know that this Saturday and next Saturday are good opportunities. Thanks again!
Cheddar Ranch Observatory will be open tonight at 5 pm for all regular club members, their invited guests, and prospective members. Sunset is 5:55 pm.
The gate will open at 5 pm. It will be very cold, windy and mostly cloudy, so dress warm!
Astronomical Viewing is NOT expected due to clouds; but a tour of the facilities will be provided with opportunity for Q&A regarding the Club’s telescopes, functions and benefits of membership.
The building is heated and there will be hot drinks available. The building will close at 10pm, unless another CRO Member remains later to lock up.
Welcome!
Marv Halsey
Thanks for opening it up Marv! Here’s hoping for better viewing weather next week!
Thanks Marv!
CRO is open. Skies are mostly cloudy. Wind out of the north around 10mph. I’m doing maintenance while keeping the facility open for regular members. Viewing will be very spotty, if at all. It’s completely cloudy all around. Thin clouds at zenith.
Could be nicer!
Marv
Even though it was cold and cloudy, we had new Club Member, Tilly and her companion, brave the cold and come out tonight. Tilly brought her very first telescope, a 5" Celestron collapsible Dob. I gave them a tour, including into the 14" observatory, though there was no point even opening the roof. The sky was completely overcast, though we were able to see Venus, Jupiter and Sirius dimly through the clouds. I’m sure they will be returning often as Tilly begins her experiences in our hobby.
No one else has come, and I’ve finished minor maintenance, so as of 8:30 pm…
CRO is CLOSED.
Thanks again for opening CRO yesterday, Marv! I’m glad Tilly was able to get out and see what a wonderful observatory it it!
You’re a good man, Marv. Thanks for hosting the new guests.
Thanks, Marv.
Thank you all!!! It was my pleasure!
The CRO Committee has reinforced that our club’s All Member Nights MUST open CRO to regular club members,
even if it’s cloudy. Unless STORMS make it dangerous for members to come out, and impossible to view any astronomical objects.
Cold temps or cloudy skies should NOT be cause to cancel an All Member Night.
For this Commitment, we need more CRO Members to step up and volunteer to open CRO so that club members can experience our wonderful facility.
Several of us have come out under less than ideal viewing conditions. But we need more help.
Marv H.
“All the heavens are joyful”
The next OKCAC All Member night at CRO on Saturday, Feb 1st.
Sunset is at 6:02pm and the Moon sets at 9:51pm. Will have some planets to look at Saturn, Venus, Neptune, Uranus, Jupiter and Mars. The Moon, Venus and Neptune will be very close together.
If you’re planning to come out, please post on here that you are going. We need at least 1 CRO member to open things up. I might come out for this one.
Remember to dress for temperatures 20 degrees colder than the temperature in the city.