Members Observing Night Friday December 27, 2024 - 4:30 PM

Members  Observing Night 

Friday December  27, 2024   Gates Open at 4:30 PM 

    See link to a direction map below   

We try to reserve Observatory nights nearest the New Moon for our members.  This allows our members to work on their various observing projects, do some astrophotography, share ideas and help each other with their goals. You can bring along family or a friend if they want to observe with you.  The gates will open at 4:30 PM.    December is a cold month at our rural site.  A warm Coat. Cap and Gloves are essential attire to enjoy your evening under the stars. Some people even like to bring a blanket to wrap up in as they sit in a chair.  A snack and something to warm drink makes the evening pass well.  You can step into our classroom area for a few minutes to warm up.  We have chairs in the classroom, or you can bring your own lawn chairs.

Venus dominates the SW sky as our evening star.   Jupiter shines brightly in the eastern sky. It is now near the Hyades cluster in Taurus and will climb high overhead.  It was a opposition on Dec 7th so this is a good month for viewing.  Its for Galilean moons are easily visible at low power.  At medium to high magnification you can see it cloud bands and if you lucky even it Great Red Spot.   Mars is in Cancer near the Beehive cluster M44.  It should be high enough for viewing by 8:00 PM  Mars is at opposition on Jan 15, 2025  Saturn with its nearly edge on rings is still visible in the west until about 10:00 PM.  The bright stars, nebular and star clusters of Orion, Taurus, Gemini, Canis Major, and Auriga are beginning their winter show for the hardy astronomer willing to bundle up and search our their treasurers.

PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR CHANGES DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS    

Event may be cancelled for clouds or extreme cold.   Check our website before heading out.

If the Friday session is cancelled due to weather, we will try again on Saturday evening.

As a member you may bring family members or a friend that wants to observe with you but not large groups. Please keep minor family members within your observing area with a supervising adult.

To develop your observing skills, you may want to consider trying to earn one of the over 40 well designed observing certificates from the Astronomical League. Check out some of their Observing Programs

If you are not currently a member you may try one of our RSVP guest nights or you can easily join. Simply go to the JOIN section on our website. Submit the forms online or mail in your membership dues. Click here to Join our Club If you like you may can print off your application or image it as proof of your new membership but we will welcome you without it.
 

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