OKCAC Member Nights at CRO 2024

I too will not attend this weekend as i have plans on saturday.

Due to the extreme weather forecasts this weekend, I’ve cancelled Member Night tomorrow night. Even if clear, high winds, extremely low temps, and sub-zero wind chills do not make for good observing.

If any CRO member still intends to go out tomorrow, please post here that you will be going. Please ensure at least 2 people are there for safety. That’s especially important under these conditions.

But for safety reasons, we recommend that no one go out.

Stayed clear last night at about 1 degree. The wind speeds were not reading from the weather station. There is snow on the ground this morning. It would of been miserable last night.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

I cancelled this early as besides the forecasts of clouds tomorrow evening, the weather service has issued a winter storm warning for Saturday night.


The second member night at CRO in February is on Saturday, February 10.

Sunset is at 1835 (6:35pm). Nautical twilight begins at 1837. Astronomical twilight begins at 1907. Twilight ends and true night begins at 1937.

The moon sets at 1917 (8:23PM) and is a Waning Crescent (1.9%).

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!

Tonight’s Member Night is officially cancelled due to poor forecasts and possible muddy conditions. Hopefully it will be better next week!

The next member night at CRO is on Saturday, February 3.

But right now the weather forecasts are calling for rain starting Friday noon and going thru Sunday noon. It’s likely we will cancel, but check back, as it’s Oklahoma and the weather can change in a matter of minutes. Hopefully we’ll have better weather next week!

Sunset is at 1803 (6:03pm). Nautical twilight begins at 1830. Astronomical twilight begins at 1900. Twilight ends and true night begins at 1931.

The moon doesn’t rise until 0246. When it does, it will be a Waning Crescent at 36.2% illumination. It should be a great night for observing, weather permitting!

Again, watch the weather forecasts and here on the forum to find out if we will have to cancel.

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!

Forecasts are poor for tonight. It looked like it might be clear for a couple of hours at sunset, but even if it’s clear directly overhead, it looks like the eastern half of the sky will be obscured. Plus after the rain the roads and grounds may be muddy.

For me, it’s not worth going out for just a couple of hours, at best. So I’m going to officially cancel tonight’s Member Night. Next week is looking better at the moment, so let’s hope for clear skies then!

Thank you for the update, i was just looking at it myself. I totally agree, not worth the trip for an hour or two.

Darn. I understand the reasoning for canceling. Just having some “warmer” nights in February is so nice! Maybe next week. Fingers and toes crossed.

I did get out in my yard 2 nights when it was so clear. Great viewing!

Monday is looking good. I’m going to Bluff Creek Park after sunset. All are welcome to join me!

The second member night at CRO in March is on Saturday, March 9. We will also be holding our annual Messier Marathon this night!

Sunset is at 1837 (6:37pm). Nautical twilight begins at 1902. Astronomical twilight begins at 1932. Twilight ends and true night begins at 2002.

The moon sets at 1803 (6:03PM) and is a Waning Crescent (0.3%). In other words, no moon! It will be dark!

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, March 2.

Right now the long range weather forecasts are calling for clear skies and warm temps (for late winter), but may be a bit breezy! Winds around 15 mph. This will be a great evening for viewing with the 14” and 30” scopes!

Sunset is at 1830 (6:30pm). Nautical twilight begins at 1856. Astronomical twilight begins at 1926. Twilight ends and true night begins at 1956.

The moon doesn’t rise until 0139. When it does, it will be a Waning Crescent at around 55% illumination. It should be a great evening for observing, weather permitting!

Again, watch the weather forecasts and here on the forum to find out if the forecast changes and if we will have to cancel.

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. I will not be in state, so please ensure that a CRO member posts on here that they will have CRO open for all members!

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!

I’m planning on coming out weather permitting. Will not be staying all night.

Some information on Messier Marathon.

Observing Order For Messier Marathon.

I’m planning on coming out, and can open the 14" observatory if no one else does. It’ll be out of the wind.

I’ll come out, wx permitting. I can open/run the C14. But won’t be staying all nighr for the marathon. Unless there’s another CRO member who is staying, I’ll be closing the C14 Observatory down around midnight.

Weather permitting i plan to be there

I will be there!
Here is the link to charts and log sheets https://bit.ly/3HzSusa

Weather permitting, plan to go.

I’m planning on coming out. Looks like we can do some training on the C14. Have one member coming out looking to get some training on the new mount. The 15’ dome needs some repair so the 30" will not be available to use.

I am hoping to come Saturday night to CRO and get oriented to the place. It will be my first time there. I know how to get there. What is the best time to arrive?

Welcome! In your case as a first time visitor, I’d say an hour before sunset in order to see everything and meet everyone in the daylight. The building, the observatories, the grounds are awesome. If and when you bring a telescope, its always best to set up in daylight. And there are telescopes at CRO that you can take outside and try out. All best with plenty of daylight!

Again, welcome!!

Marv Halsey