Members Observing Night Friday July 5, 2024 – 8:15 PM

Members Only Observing Night 

Friday July 7, 2024   Gates Open at 8:15 PM 

    See link to a direction map below   

We try to reserve Observatory nights nearest the New Moon for our CURRENT MEMBERS ONLY. You can bring along family or a friend if they want to observe with you.  This allows our members to work on their various observing projects, do some astrophotography, share ideas and help each other with their goals. The gates will open at 8:15 PM.     

If Friday's session is cancelled due to weather, we may try to be open on Saturday if weather conditions improve.        Check our website for updates.

The rural evening temperatures are often cooler than in town.  Warmer weather also has invigorated our insect “friends”.   Please apply insect repellents away from the telescope areas.  Also, it is not recommended to lay on the ground even with a blanket.  We have chairs in the classroom, or you can bring your own lawn chairs.

In the early evening the  Spring stars and numerous galaxies still linger in the western sky.

Facing eastward we will be able to see the familiar Summer Triangle rising in the East.  

Our own Milky Way Galaxy will be arching higher in the sky as the night continues. 

Our telescopes should be able to view the periodic Comet 13P/Olbers above the NW horizon.

Also we may be able to locate a dimmer Comet C/2023 A3 Tsuchinshan-Atlas in the constellation of Leo.  Astronomers predict this comet may become bright enough to see naked eye by mid-October. 

PLEASE CHECK OUR WEBSITE FOR CHANGES DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS    If the Friday session is cancelled due to weather, we will try again on Saturday evening.       Check Website to confirm

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