First Friday Public Observing Night’s at Arbor Gardens 2025

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

Omw for a bit

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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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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

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

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


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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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I agree.

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Yeah, as expected, good choice

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