Had t-storms nearby until about 0300 or so. Winds calmed in the early morning, but had clouds in the east and south. Glad you had a good evening at CRO!
I’m going to come out for this one.
I can open CRO and/or the 14" observatory, if needed.
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I’m currently planning to be there as well. If will be good to see you Marv 
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Weather tomorrow evening is looking clear, cool and low winds. Dress warm 
It will most likely be raining all day. With that in mind, people may want to stay on the paved roads as long as possible!
I will possibly be arriving around 5pm. See you there and if anyone needs a guide, let us know so we can meet.
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CRO is open little cloudy right now no wind but it looks like it’s going to clear off
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I’m on my way. ETA 7:15.
All-Sky camera looks good!
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Beautiful sunset, got a decent picture of some sun spots rotating into view
Cool evening, 3 members are out. Marv, new member Scott and myself. Perfectly clear skies and the Milky Way is decently bright for this area.
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i really wanted to go tonite but moneys been really tight.maybe next time?
Totally understandable!
It really was a beautiful night! Joel’s done a great job keeping CRO spiffy. He’s got real talent with his astrophotography gear.
Scott has been an astronomy buff and photographer for a long time. He marveled at our facilities and development over the years. I don’t doubt he’ll be getting back into club activities and CRO in no time.
I spent the evening doing just visual astronomy. And boy was it enjoyable (once i got everything up and running). Planets Saturn and Jupiter were awesome, and i pulled out Uranus and even Neptune late. Andromeda was gorgeous. Pleiades sparkled. I got on a roll late and split 5 or 6 doubles.
Then the dew point hit! About midnight, everything got wet. Luckily i was prepared with dew shield, but I couldn’t keep my observing chair dry; but i was on a roll, so I slogged it out and enjoyed the beautiful sky!
I left about 1:45 after shutting down and locking up. Took trash home. I hope many members who went to Okie-Tex had some great viewing! CRO provided great viewing both Member Nights!
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The second member night at CRO in October is on Saturday, October 14.
The Annular Solar Eclipse is this day and many of our CRO members will not be here this night. Regular Club members need to check back here to ensure that a CRO member will be opening CRO this night before driving to the observatory.
Sunset is at 1900 (7:00pm). Nautical twilight begins at 1926. Astronomical twilight begins at 1955. Twilight ends and true night begins at 2025.
The moon sets at 1903 (7:03PM) and is a new moon. This will be a very dark night for observing!
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” 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.
The location of the observatory is also now searchable in both Google Maps and Apple Maps. 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.
Clear and dark skies!
The next member night at CRO is on Saturday, October 7.
Sunset is at 1910 (7:10pm). Nautical twilight begins at 1935. Astronomical twilight begins at 2004. Twilight ends and true night begins at 2034.
The moon sets before sunset and doesn’t rise until 0141. It will be a Waning Crescent with 29.3% illumination when it rises.
Watch the weather forecasts and here on the forum to find out if the viewing will be good that night!
If anyone is coming that can open 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.
The location of the observatory is also now searchable in both Google Maps and Apple Maps. 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.
Clear and dark skies!
The eclipse is mid-day. I plan to come out in the evening, weather permitting.
My wife and I have been trying to come out and see the stars with our little one for a while now. Due to weather and life we haven’t yet, but this weekend looks like it will work. I am borrowing a telescope from my folks, it’s a Bushnell 181561. If anyone could help us make this night even better by helping us out, we’d greatly appreciate it! I’m assuming if we get there around 1900 we will have enough time to set up before it gets dark?
Thanks,
Kyle Larson
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Something a little closer to get your feet wet is our First Friday event.
https://discourse.okcastro.club/t/first-friday-public-viewing-night-oct-6/288/2
First off, Welcome! Looking forward to meeting you.
If you need assistance getting out there, let us know here, arrangements can be made.
I will be going out earlier in the afternoon to help with yardwork if needed and hopefully get some solar viewing in. I will be arriving there sometime between 1 and 3 pm, not sure yet.
It looks like its going to be pretty cool and a little breezy, dress accordingly. 
I plan to be out there most of the day from about 9am on.
Is there a solar filter for the 14"?
No Solar filter for the C14. You decided not to go out of town for the eclipse?
Kyle, weclcome! I’ll be coming out a bit later than Joel. I’ll probably stop at Swadley’s in El Reno about 4:30 to get something to eat. Anyone is welcome to join me!
If anyone needs a guide that’s a good place to meet. I’ll be leaving there by about 5, hoping to get to CRO about 6, giving me plenty of time to set up before dark.
Joel, can I bring you anything from Swadley’s?
The forecast is looking pretty good for this Saturday! Be sure and bring a jacket, hat and gloves. It might get a tad chilly the later it gets. And as Dave always says, dress for at least 20 deg colder than it actually is. We’re mainly just standing around and not generating any body heat. Though the building will be there for warming up, too.