This is the second Member Night for the month of May
OKCAC Member Night at Cheddar Ranch Observatory for club members and their invited guests. Weather permitting. Check the Discussion Forum for last minute updates.
I will not be able to get there today. Traveling
I will have it open by 1800 or so. Depending on traffic. Is anyone else planning on attending?
BTW, I’d avoid 1-40 from El Reno westward. Construction backing up traffic for miles apparently.
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Tim just clarified that the construction starts around El Reno. So I’ll be taking the backroads all the way from OKC. Who knows how far east the traffic jam will extend.
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CRO is OPEN!
Clouds are more than I’d like, but hoping they’ll get a bit better later.
I-40 looked okay until El Reno. From what I could see from US 66, traffic was moving the whole distance, though think it was fairly slow. Hard to tell. I got on it at the Calumet exit and from there to Cherokee Trading Post was normal.
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Have fun!
Hoping it clears out for everyone. 
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There’s three of us here now; Ed and Drew have joined me.
Still fairly cloudy, but nice otherwise. Right now about 50% clouds. It’s gone up and down from that.
From the paved road, I now come in now on the dirt road to the east of CRO. It was fine after the rains. Not muddy.
Upper area is mowed and trimmed around the pads. Got probably 80% of it.
Closing down CRO. Starting clearing around 2200 and it turned into a pretty good viewing night!
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Thank you for mowing and trimming! I really wanted to get out there last night. We didn’t get back until about 11 and at that point it’s not worth wearing myself out with further driving🤣
Looking forward to hearing \ seeing more about the Dwarf II and seeing whatever pics you got from it.
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The next member night at CRO is on Saturday, June 10.
Sunset is at 2049 (8:49pm). The moon will not rise until 0222 and will be at 39.1% illumination when it’s up.
The long range forecast is not good however. Scattered thunderstorms during the evening, then partly cloudy overnight. The overnight low will be about 63F, but if you do come out, remember, as Dave always says, dress for 20 degrees colder than it actually is. Winds predicted to be moderate, 5-10mph. Chance of rain: 50%. But this is Oklahoma. That can change in a matter of hours or minutes even.
Check on the main forum for details and updates. This is still a trial site and not official.
http://www.okcastroclub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5327&sid=b32b22a9edd54c450941f51bac770d9a
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I have to change plans for tonight and will not be able to make it.
The forecasts I’m looking at predict partly cloudy to cloudy around sunset, clearing by about 2200. Since the good viewing doesn’t start until about an hour after sunset, I think it will be a good night at CRO!
Temps in the 70s, very mild wind.
Pamela and I are going to meet at Swadley’s in El Reno at 1630, planning to arrive at CRO about 1800. We’ll mow and trim at least the upper pad area.
Anyone is welcome to join us to eat then come out to help, or even just cheer us on, then wait for the really great viewing a bit later!
I’ll post on here when CRO is open and what the conditions are.
CRO IS OPEN!!
Maybe 50% clouds right now. Light wind. Supposed to clear after sunset.
Come on out!
Information on July Member Nights at CRO are posted on the old forum.
15 July
http://www.okcastroclub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5346&sid=00ab9e9594f4e3ddd4626f99278f2d1d
22 July
http://www.okcastroclub.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5345&sid=00ab9e9594f4e3ddd4626f99278f2d1d
If you still can’t get on there, let me know and I’ll send you the details.
The next member night at CRO is on Saturday, August 12. These twice monthly Member Nights are FREE to attend for any active club member and their guest(s).
The sun still sets pretty late, but get there earlier to make sure you’re all set up and ready to go before dark.
If you’ve never been out there before, we have a facility about 90 minutes from the OKC metro. Our facility has a variety of telescopes if you don’t have (or want to bring) your own. The facility also has concrete pads, with power, so feel free to bring your gear! The facility also has wireless internet, a kitchen, bathrooms, a library, and some very uncomfortable benches for late night naps.
If anyone is coming that can operate the 14” or 30” scopes, please post on here that you will be attending and it will be open.
If you’re planning to come out, please post on here that you are coming.
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.
Unfortunately my weather apps are all showing clouds Saturday evening. And at least partly cloudy skies for the next 2 weeks! But hey! It’s Oklahoma! That can change in 5 minutes. I’m hoping that at least one member night will be clear this month!
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Yeah, my apps are showing the same thing. At this moment it is a no go for me.
Here’s to hoping for the next weekend!
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Yep. Sadly, I won’t be going out either. Will announce that at the meeting tonight.
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The forecasts are all still for cloudy skies tonight! I will not be going to CRO tonight. Non-CRO members, please don’t go out there unless you’re sure that a CRO member will have it open! If any member does decide to chance it and go out, please post that you’re doing so, so non-CRO members will know it will be open.
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