# First Friday Public Observing Night at Arbor Gardens 2025

**URL:** <https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987>\
**Category:** Events\
**Tags:** observing, outreach\
**Created:** [January 1, 2025, 6:00am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987 "2025-01-01T06:00:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 6:38am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/21 "2025-03-08T06:38:09Z")

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Well, it’s clear, but as I feared, a bit windy. Just waiting for sunset.

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**Author:** ![R.Palmer](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/r.palmer/32/7_2.png) [@R.Palmer](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/R.Palmer)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 7:07am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/22 "2025-03-08T07:07:05Z")

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Omw for a bit

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**Author:** ![mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mpsurge/32/952_2.png) [@mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/mpsurge)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 8:22am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/23 "2025-03-08T08:22:15Z")

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Good sized crowd out tonight. They’re making a good wind block if you stay on the south side of them lol

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 12:52pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/24 "2025-03-08T12:52:18Z")

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It was a very good First Friday tonight, despite the wind! We had the most folks at a First Friday since we restarted it on the south side. Joel counted 44 folks, and I counted at least 10 club members to support the crowd. Thanks to all!

Many folks asked about the lights I used under the scopes. Here’s the link to the ones I got on Amazon. If in a crowd like tonight, I use one under each tripod leg. If fewer people, probably one directly under the center of the scope is enough.

[https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PJZPGSK?ref=ppx\_yo2ov\_dt\_b\_fed\_asin\_title&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PJZPGSK?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1)

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**Author:** ![mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mpsurge/32/952_2.png) [@mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/mpsurge)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2025, 3:10pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/25 "2025-03-08T15:10:22Z")

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Here are a few images from the recent First Friday public viewing

 ![1000001269](https://discourse.okcastro.club/uploads/default/original/2X/b/b2ef1cc3c161ad5482d5e7f9a97455d05adf4778.jpeg)  
 ![1000001276](https://discourse.okcastro.club/uploads/default/original/2X/1/1eda02a9679770d52e65046d287adb5490fb2daa.jpeg)  
 ![1000001277](https://discourse.okcastro.club/uploads/default/original/2X/7/7fd7e69bccbc6997812a7213ddbf77fb9c23253e.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [March 9, 2025, 4:27am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/26 "2025-03-09T04:27:08Z")

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Almost forgot I took these. Thanks for reminding me, Joel!

 ![image](https://discourse.okcastro.club/uploads/default/original/2X/6/66d2121e6eaaf5829073fe88599d3ef91624451f.jpeg)  
 ![image](https://discourse.okcastro.club/uploads/default/original/2X/f/fe829cbb1aa8d10ac89309c72f56643971616801.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [April 2, 2025, 9:41am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/27 "2025-04-02T09:41:17Z")

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The forecasts for this First Friday, 4 April, are not good. 100% clouds on all my weather apps.

Keep watch here, though, as Oklahoma weather forecasts can change quickly!

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 2:47am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/28 "2025-04-04T02:47:19Z")

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All the forecasts I see call for completely cloudy skies for the next three days or so, with no breaks even.

It doesn’t look like it will be raining though, so is there anything we can do outdoors when it’s completely overcast? Should I go ahead and cancel this today?

Please let me know what you think!

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**Author:** ![mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mpsurge/32/952_2.png) [@mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/mpsurge)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 2:56am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/29 "2025-04-04T02:56:05Z")

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Who has the snacks and coffee\cocoa? LOL

Actually, here is an idea, some sort of portable movie screen and some astronomy based films? I wonder if the SMO staff might have something that can be shown

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**Author:** ![R.Palmer](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/r.palmer/32/7_2.png) [@R.Palmer](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/R.Palmer)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 3:01am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/30 "2025-04-04T03:01:36Z")

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I’m up for whatever but I understand it’s going to be a long drive for Mitch and will be pretty muddy if forecasts hold. May even still be raining

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 5:18am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/31 "2025-04-04T05:18:23Z")

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I have a slide show of images our astrophotographers have taken, with a few others thrown in that are beyond our abilities; like the black hole, and the close up of Pluto…

I could set up a TV and display that. I just wonder if any non-members will be there to watch it.

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 6:11am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/32 "2025-04-04T06:11:55Z")

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I think I’m going to cancel tomorrow night, but will plan on bringing the slideshow to future events. But I just don’t think any public will show up when it’s completely overcast. I’ll work on getting more publicity for future events and plan on that contingency for the summer at least.

Sadly I’ll be out of state for the May First Friday. I should have the new signs by the club meeting and would like to give one of the new signs to someone who an be there for May. Oh. Never mind. No in person club meeting this April. I’ll arrange to get it to someone who will be there for may.

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 6:14am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/33 "2025-04-04T06:14:04Z")

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I’m officially canceling the April First Friday on 4 April, due to all forecasts calling for completely overcast skies.

I hope we’ll have better weather in May!

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**Author:** ![R.Palmer](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/r.palmer/32/7_2.png) [@R.Palmer](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/R.Palmer)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2025, 6:24am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/34 "2025-04-04T06:24:26Z")

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I agree.

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**Author:** ![mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mpsurge/32/952_2.png) [@mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/mpsurge)\
**Post date:** [April 5, 2025, 3:03am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/35 "2025-04-05T03:03:32Z")

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Yeah, as expected, good choice

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**Author:** ![jimdayrt](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/jimdayrt/32/150_2.png) [@jimdayrt](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/jimdayrt)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 10:01pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/36 "2025-05-01T22:01:05Z")

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I haven’t read anything about First Friday @ Arbor Gardens for May 2nd yet. I hope it is still in the works. As far as I can tell the forecast looks ok… I am hoping to stop by out there tonight to check on the mud situation… If it is anything like the rest of Moore, OK, the ground is completely saturated.

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**Author:** ![DaveNH6SM](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/davenh6sm/32/112_2.png) [@DaveNH6SM](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/DaveNH6SM)\
**Post date:** [May 1, 2025, 11:37pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/37 "2025-05-01T23:37:59Z")

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The next First Friday Public Observing Night is May 2nd at Arbor Gardens Park in Moore. Sunset is at 8:17pm and the Moon will already be up. It will be a good time to view Jupiter and Mars. The asteroid Vesta will be rising.

I will make it out weather permitting. The forecast looks good starting at 8pm.

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**Author:** ![jimdayrt](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/jimdayrt/32/150_2.png) [@jimdayrt](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/jimdayrt)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 8:35am UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/38 "2025-05-02T08:35:03Z")

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Arbor Gardens looks to be in decent shape as of 5/1/25… Not too wet, Not overgrown…a little bit of muddy patches… but i think it will be fine, up close to the sidewalks, where we normally gather. The forecast I saw calls for mostly clear skies by 8:00 (we will see). Rain early in the day ending by noon. Expected temperature 40s to 50s with a light wind… but hey! It’s Oklahoma… what are ya going do? Hope anyone reading this is able to make it out. Should be a fun event!

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**Author:** ![mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mpsurge/32/952_2.png) [@mpsurge](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/mpsurge)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 8:06pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/39 "2025-05-02T20:06:11Z")

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Good deal! Thank you for checking it out. I’m planning to be there currently.

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**Author:** ![Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/user_avatar/discourse.okcastro.club/mitche/32/61_2.png) [@Mitche](https://discourse.okcastro.club/u/Mitche)\
**Post date:** [May 2, 2025, 9:35pm UTC](https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-observing-night-at-arbor-gardens-2025/987/40 "2025-05-02T21:35:07Z")

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The forecasts are looking pretty good for First Friday! The clouds during the day should clear by evening.

I’m in Arkansas. Heavy rain for 2-3 hours this morning. There’s a motorcyclist in a tent across the road from me. I’m surprised he didn’t get washed away.

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