All Members Nights at CRO

Thanks, Marv! I’ll still be in Texas, but I hope you have some great viewing tomorrow!

It is looking like it will be a clear night tonight. I’m planning on getting there around 4pm. Will open up the 30” telescope.

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CRO is open. Skies are very clear.

Still traveling today, was hoping to get back in time. Oh well … Hope you all have a great time and even better viewing!

Ditto what Joel said!

CRO is all closed up. Had a total of 5. Was a great night. Had a nice ISS pass to the North. Had Starlink satellites passing almost straight overhead. They were spaced out by about 20 to 30 degrees. Got the 30” telescope firmware updated and also the catalogues. The 15’ dome opened and closed with no issues. We took a look at Venus before it got to low. Looked at Saturn and several of its Moons. Hadn’t used the 30” telescope in quite some time, so it was kinda a refresher on running it.

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Thanks, Dave. I learned a lot about the 30" dome and software operations. It was a beautiful night!! Hope to master it in 2025!

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Sun was still shining

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What a nice image.

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That is very interesting, great shot :smiley:

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Thanks for the evening and learning more. It was fun until I got cold. I wasn’t used to dressing for cold weather. See you all at the Christmas Party.

OKCAC Member night at CRO on Saturday, Dec 21st.

Sunset is at 5:25pm and the Moon rises at 11:57pm. 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’m thinking about coming out.

Remember to dress for temperatures 20 degrees colder than the temperature in the city.

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I should be able to make it out. Looking forward to my second CRO night!

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Hope everyone has a great time! My end of year is always too busy and most likely will not be out until January

I have not seen a CRO member commit to opening the observatory this Saturday. Non-CRO members, please ensure it will be open before you make the trip!

I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it or not.

The long range forecast is looking decent though, for any that can make it! Clear, calm, but very cold. Dress for temps around zero. Lows by morning will be below freezing.

I’ll come out to open up CRO for all club members.

Ill open the C14 observatory for members. Expect planets and the Orion nebula, among others.

Not sure if i can make it before 5pm, however. If my wife’s heart scan appointment goes on time, I can be there at 5.

I’ll post by 3:30 what time i can be there.

Happy Winter Solstice!

PS: I will NOT be able to open for the next MN, 12/28. It’s mjy wife’s birthday and MUST be “observed”. :slight_smile:

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The weather is looking great for this Saturday. I’m planning on getting there around 4:30pm. If we have enough show up I will open up the 30" telescope. Will leave by about Midnight.

Thanks Marv and Dave! I might be able to make it. Plans still in flux.

The forecasts are fantastic! The viewing should be great! Clear, low winds, but very cold! In the 30s all evening. Even the light wind will bring some wind chill, so be sure to dress for the teens. But the building is great for warming up!

There’s lots of instant drinks there; coffee, hot chocolate, cider and tea. Please ensure everything is back in the plastic containers at the end, or the mice will have a very nice Christmas dinner! Be sure and use the water cooler for water. The tap water is NOT potable.

Remember if your scopes have been indoors, to let them cool off outside for about 20 mins before you start using them.

If I don’t make it, I hope everyone has a great time tonight!

I’ll get there around sunset. Depends on how long my wife’s scan takes. Looking good!!

Okay. Other plans have collapsed. I’ll try to get out there about the same time as Dave, 1630 or so.

Should be a great night!