Cedar River Astronomy Club Meetings:
Second Friday of Every Month at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
Second Friday of Every Month at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center
History:
In 1993, the Cedar River Astronomy Club was founded following the generous donation of Sola Fide Observatory from Dr. Eric Rachut in November 1992 to the city of Austin. The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center took ownership of the observatory and resident telescope and the Cedar River Astronomy Club helped run it with free public viewing nights for community members. This club held strong for years before falling to the wayside. Well as of 2023 we are officially re-establishing the club!
About us:
The Cedar River Astronomy Club's mission is to connect people with interest in astronomy and give hands on experience exploring the night sky while helping with outreach at the Sola Fide Observatory.
Who can join?:
The Cedar River Astronomy Club is open to all ages, skill, and interest levels. It doesn't matter if you're a novice, or an expert, if you own a telescope, or just like the night sky, all are welcome!
Currently the club is free to join. We keep membership dues off the table by volunteer time and expertise to help run the Sola Fide Observatory Public Viewing Nights.
Meetings:
The club's monthly meetings happen on the 2nd Friday of every month at 8:00pm (7pm during the winter season) starting at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and then moving to the Sola Fide Observatory if the sky is clear for a members-only night sky viewing.
Meeting will include:
As you grow as a member of the CRAC you will be eligible for increased incentives for volunteering your time and knowledge. Volunteer hours can be achieved by helping at the Sola Fide Public Viewing Nights as well as the State-wide Star Party
Membership Tier List:
If you are interested in joining the club you can let us know by filling the form out below or you can just show up to our monthly meetings!
In 1993, the Cedar River Astronomy Club was founded following the generous donation of Sola Fide Observatory from Dr. Eric Rachut in November 1992 to the city of Austin. The Jay C. Hormel Nature Center took ownership of the observatory and resident telescope and the Cedar River Astronomy Club helped run it with free public viewing nights for community members. This club held strong for years before falling to the wayside. Well as of 2023 we are officially re-establishing the club!
About us:
The Cedar River Astronomy Club's mission is to connect people with interest in astronomy and give hands on experience exploring the night sky while helping with outreach at the Sola Fide Observatory.
Who can join?:
The Cedar River Astronomy Club is open to all ages, skill, and interest levels. It doesn't matter if you're a novice, or an expert, if you own a telescope, or just like the night sky, all are welcome!
Currently the club is free to join. We keep membership dues off the table by volunteer time and expertise to help run the Sola Fide Observatory Public Viewing Nights.
Meetings:
The club's monthly meetings happen on the 2nd Friday of every month at 8:00pm (7pm during the winter season) starting at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and then moving to the Sola Fide Observatory if the sky is clear for a members-only night sky viewing.
Meeting will include:
- Upcoming events and news in space and the Cedar River Astronomy Club (CRAC)
- Space discussions & presentations on timely topics, occasionally by a guest speaker
- CRAC member exclusive night viewing at Sola Fide
- Training opportunities on telescopes and space interpretation
- Time to converse and pick the brains of others in the astronomy field to learn new equipment, how to locate space objects, and more
As you grow as a member of the CRAC you will be eligible for increased incentives for volunteering your time and knowledge. Volunteer hours can be achieved by helping at the Sola Fide Public Viewing Nights as well as the State-wide Star Party
Membership Tier List:
- 3 hours volunteered: Sola Fide/CRAC t-shirt
- 6 hours volunteered: Run big telescope at Sola Fide public event
- 12 hours volunteered: Run/head a Sola Fide public event
- 20 hours volunteered: Open access to Sola Fide
If you are interested in joining the club you can let us know by filling the form out below or you can just show up to our monthly meetings!