All Members Nights at CRO

I too will be there tonight. I’m bringing someone with me.

I’ll be there tonight. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Won’t be able to attend this one.

Thanks to everyone for posting. It helps me in planning.

Around sunset I’ll offer training opening the rolloff roof and preparing the C14. After dark, I’ll go over the steps to operate the C14 with the hand controller. All members, Regular and CRO, are invited to learn.

There are checklists posted on the door to the observatory. Feel free to take one with you.

Looks like a fine night for observing the nighttime wonders!

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I plan to be there.

I’m planning on coming out. Going to try and get there about an hour before sunset.

I plan on being out there.

I finally got my setup working for the first time last night and want to test it out at a dark sky location.

CRO is open.

Doing some quick mowing and touchup grounds keeping/maintenace.

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Thanks for opening and mowing, Chris!

I’m planning on going out. I’m going to eat at Swadley’s in El Reno about 6. I’ll leave there at 6:30. Anyone is welcome to join me! I’ll wear my OKCAC hat if you don’t know me. Anyone wanting a guide to CRO can meet me there.

We should arrive at CRO in plenty of time to set up before dark.

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All groundskeeping work finished. Pads ready for setup. :slight_smile:

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Thank you, Chris!! Very much appreciated!!

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We plan to eat in El Reno with you

I just ordered. See you here!

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It’s a great night at CRO! So far I’ve counted 12 members and 2 guests tonight. Oh, and two Deputy Sheriffs. But I’ll let Chris talk about them. They didn’t stay to do any observing.. Busy night for them.

We’ve got a large variety of scopes here tonight, and Marv has the 14” up and running. It’s a good night to be observing the universe!

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There is a new lighting feature at 4 Domes!

If you see these lights on, someone is over here. :slight_smile:

Come visit if you like!
Please don’t close and lock the gate.

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Several of us had fun trying to take pics of the Milky Way with our handheld cell phones tonight. Here’s my best pic:

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Really nice cellphone work!

We had 2 members get started training on the rolloff roof. The C14 was enjoyed by just about everyone, looking at clusters, nebulae and planets. Venus was brilliantly lit, and starting to wane. Saturn really showed off late, with the rings now slightly angled from our perspective. It was one of the best nights of the year!

Looking forward to next week.

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The second member night at CRO in September is on Saturday, 12 September.

Sunset is at 1946 (7:46pm). Nautical twilight begins at 2011. Astronomical twilight begins at 2041. Twilight ends and true night begins at 2112.

The moon sets at 2025 (11:24PM) and is a Waxing Crescent (1.6%).

The forecasts for this Saturday at CRO are mixed. At best it will be partly cloudy some of the time, at worst we might have overcast skies with a bit of drizzle. Check the weather forecasts and check back here to ensure it will be good viewing weather and CRO will be open.

If anyone is coming that can open the 14” scopes, please post on here that you will be attending and it will be open. Unfortunately the 30” dome is not working right now so the big scope will not be open.

If you’re planning to come out, please post on here that you are coming.

The location of the observatory is also now searchable in both Google Maps and Apple Maps. I Search for Cheddar Ranch Observatory, Watonga, OK, and it should appear and give you directions if you want. It might also appear in your GPS app/program. If you use MapQuest, there are two Cheddar Ranch Observatories. Make sure you select the CRO on E0870 Rd to get to the true observatory.

If you want to be guided to CRO, please post here and check back to see if a CRO member can meet and guide you. CRO members, please post what time you can meet any members needing guides. Please make arrangements to meet directly with whoever will be guiding you.

Clear and dark skies!

I’ll come out to open and operate the C14. I’ll arrive at 7pm. Weather permitting. Clouds OK.

I’ll provide training for the rolloff roof just after sunset. And the C14 after dark.

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I’m coming out, may be bringing a guest, we shall see.

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