Guest and Members Night Saturday Nov 23 – 4:30 PM

You are invited to join us Saturday Nov  23 at 4:30 PM for our Guests and Members observing night at our observatory. ( See direction details  below )  Weather permitting, we will have several telescopes set up for you to enjoy the stars, galaxies, and other treasures of the night sky.  Some of our members will have telescope outside for viewing.  You will also have an opportunity to visit the telescope in our observatory dome. When approaching a telescope ask the owner if they are willing to share the views.

Parking is available on the lot in front of the large building to our east. 

Please refer to the driving directions at the end of this event posting.

Come enjoy a night under the stars in our darker rural skies.  Now that Winter is near, expect much cooler temperatures at our rural hilltop location. A warm coat, cap and gloves will be a welcome accessories as the evening progresses. We have a classroom area where you can step into to warm up as needed.  We have chairs in the classroom, or you can bring your own lawn chairs.  You may also like to bring a snack and something to drink.  Please keep children with your group.  Younger children may enjoy a quiet activity of their own.   Please leave pets at home since this is a dark area with with people walking around enjoying the telescopes. 

Please check our website for before heading out as events may have to cancelled due to clouds or other weather conditions.

Now that we have returned to Central "Starlight" Time, Sunset is at 5:10 PM and it gets dark quickly after it sets.  Venus is our bright evening star shining in the SW.  Venus will continue to be our evening "star" throughout the winter and early spring. Early in the evening we may be able to see Mercury before it sets.    Saturn is well placed for viewing.   It is currently traveling through the water jar of the constellation Aquarius. The planet Neptune is nearby.   Bright Jupiter is rising in NE.  It is closest to Earth on December 7th.  This is a good time to observe the solar system's largest planet along with its brighter moons. The  Milky Way lingers in the NW sky for an hour or so after sunset.  The constellations of  Andromeda, Pegasus, Cassiopeia and Perseus a well placed overhead.   Comet c/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS )  was a popular sight this fall and should be still visible in our telescopes. 

PLEASE NOTE: If adverse weather is nearby, we may cancel or close earlier.  

PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR CHANGES DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS

 Our observing ground gates will open at 4:30 PM. Guests are asked to park on the lot at the large building next to our observing field.  Please try to arrive before 6:00 PM and drive carefully if arriving after dark.  

 So that we can better prepared for our guests we would a appreciate an RSVP.  You can use our CONTACT TAB option on the TOP of our website bar. Small family or friends’ groups are welcome, but we cannot accommodate large groups at this time. Children MUST be supervised. Quiet activities for restless kids are beneficial.
  
   GUESTS - Please RSVP using the CONTACT TAB at the top of our webpage.

Please give us the FIRST & LAST NAME of the primary person.
An EMAIL and contact PHONE number. - Number of - ___ Adults / ___ Children

   If you send an RSVP on Saturday you may not get a reply but you may come anyway.
 
 A DONATIONS box is available to help us with the expenses of the observatory.
Suggested Donation is $ 5 per adult, $ 2 Kids under 6 Free. – Cash is best way.
 

Location

ACT OBSERVATORY directions -  Follow our map directions  DO NOT USE GPS

MOSTLY PAVED ROADS – Hwy 75 to 201st St S – through Mounds OK

Most DIRECT ROUTE – Hwy 75 to 241st St S – some coarse gravel & dirt roads