Oklahoma City Astronomy Club
From AstronomyOutreach network
Founded in 1958, our club has a long and distinguished history. We are also members of the Southwestern Region of the Astronomical League. And we host the Okie-Tex Star Party which is consistently rated as one of America’s Top Ten Star Parties! Where and When We Meet...
We meet at the Science Museum Oklahoma (formerly Kirkpatrick Center/Omniplex) located at Martin Luther King Boulevard and N.E. 52nd Street on the second Friday evening of each month. That’s right next door to the zoo and across the street from Remington Park Race Track. At 6:45 PM we present a “Novice Session” in the Kirkpatrick Planetarium oriented towards the needs of our less experienced members and guests. This session alternates each month between learning the constellations of the night sky appropriate to the season and learning to read and use planispheres and star charts. When you attend, and if you have them, bring along a red light flashlight and your planisphere and charts. Our general meeting starts forty-five minutes later with an interesting presentation followed by the clubs general business meeting. Click here for more information on our meeting and our presentations. We also meet once a month at a location far from city lights to observe and study the beauty of the heavens together and support each other in our endeavors and interests. Other educational and entertaining star parties are held monthly here in town. Click here for more information on our star parties. Why We Do What We Do...
No hobby can inspire people and fire up their imagination quite like astronomy. We seek to bring the wonders of the universe to everyone ‘first hand’. We host informative, fascinating and just plain fun outings for the general public, schools, scout troops, and YOU! Please feel free to contact our Observing Coordinator to arrange a function for your own organization or attend one of our parties yourself. Astronomy is also one of the few sciences where we amateurs can substantially contribute to the wealth of human knowledge. We strive to create an environment where those who wish to contribute will be supported and encouraged in their efforts. We know you will find the science and hobby of astronomy fascinating and we would love to help you find your own unique spark of interest. We will help you if you are just starting out, or if you have been at it a while we would love to join forces with you to help make ours a better and more interesting community.
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Membership
Membership
Qualifications
None! That is, other than having an interest in science and astronomy and a wish to share your interest with some great people. You don't have to be an expert to participate. All levels of expertise from none to PhD's are welcome. Our members have many different interests including among others; observing our solar system, deep sky observing, astrophotography and professional scientific research. You also don't need to own a telescope. In fact, we encourage you to join before purchasing your first telescope. This way you can take advantage of the expertise our members and education programs offer before making your selection. Our members and the club own a variety of types and sizes of telescopes and astronomical equipment and we all love to share our toys! Our members are of all ages and come from all walks of life but we all have one thing in common. We can't seem to avoid looking up on dark nights! If you too enjoy the beauty the night sky offers, then join us! OKCAC By-laws a PDF document
Benefits
Benefits of membership include a subscription to the Gazer's Gazette, the official club newsletter, opportunities for substantial discounts to Sky and Telescope and Astronomy magazines and automatic membership in the Astronomical League. This membership includes a subscription to The Reflector, the Astronomical League's quarterly newsletter. After three months of Club membership, members in good standing may check out one of our club telescopes or material from the club's library and eligbility for a Cheddar Ranch Observatory (CRO) membership.
Awards and Recognition
The E. Ken Owen (EKO) Award
The E. Ken Owen (EKO) Award is presented to a member of the OKC Astronomy Club for outstanding contribution to amateur astronomy and/or to the OKC Astronomy Club.
Clubs and Certification Programs
Novice Assistance Program
Welcome to the Novice Assistance Program! This year long program will provide you with the instruction you need to become a fully qualified amateur astronomer and we hope you'll return to instruct the next class of novices or enter into the pro-am programs the club offers.
Outreach
Public Outreach
One of our most important functions is to share the wonders of the cosmos with the people in our community and state. We do this in a variety of ways. Education Collaborations
We work diligently to encourage young people to excel in academics, most especially in science and mathematics. We work closely with schools, libraries and scouting organizations to provide opportunities for observing and learning about astronomy to children, their parents and their teachers. Supporting The Challenged Members of Our Community
In addition to our work with young people we also work closely with other charitable organizations such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association to provide opportunities for fund raising and observing and education to people less fortunate than ourselves. Amateur astronomy is a great way for the physically challenged to satisfy their desires to participate in, and contribute to, our society. Assisting Like Minded Organizations
As the largest astronomy club in the area, we also work with other organizations such as the Science Museum Oklahoma and Odyssey Astronomy Club to enhance such organizations' capabilities of sharing the wonders of science and astronomy with the public. Do you have an upcoming event?
Are you interested in having the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club present a star party for your organization's event? Contact the club's Observing Coordinator to arrange a star party.
We'd Also Appreciate Your Help!
Any donations of material or funds to assist us with our public outreach programs are greatly appreciated! Contact our Treasurer and THANK YOU SO MUCH in advance. Your support will help us to expand our capabilities to provide educational and scientific opportunities to our community. The Oklahoma City Astronomy Club is a scientific and educational organization under IRS regulations 501(c)(3). Your donations are tax deductible.