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Are you a North Texas or South Oklahoma sky watcher looking for the perfect spot to gaze at the stars? Look no further! The Texas Astronomical Society (TAS) offers a fantastic dark sky observing site in Atoka, Oklahoma. This location is ideal for stargazing, with its low light pollution and clear skies.

 

With a family membership of around $50, the Texas Astronomical Society (TAS) provides access to its dark sky star gazing site in Atoka, OK, which includes an observatory, telescope pads, barbecuing area, and camping spots.

Why Now is the Best Time to Start Gazing

This month is an excellent time to start planet watching! You can spot some of the brightest planets in the night sky, including Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus. Additionally, you can catch a glimpse of the Andromeda Galaxy, which is visible to the naked eye under dark skies. For a closer look, use binoculars or a telescope to see the Orion Nebula.

Mosaic image by NASA's WISE showing the Flame Nebula, Horsehead Nebula, and NGC 2023 in the Orion Molecular Cloud.


What You Can Spot This Month

  • Planets: Jupiter, Saturn, Venus

  • Galaxies: Andromeda Galaxy

  • Nebulae: Orion Nebula (visible with binoculars or telescope)

  • Constellations: Orion, Canis Major, Puppis

Equipment Recommendations

To enhance your stargazing experience, consider using binoculars or a telescope. Here are some recommendations:

  • Binoculars: Great for beginners and easy to use. They are perfect for spotting the Orion Nebula and other celestial objects.

  • Telescopes: For a more detailed view of planets and galaxies. A good telescope can reveal the intricate details of the Andromeda Galaxy and the Orion Nebula.

The Celestron - Cometron 7x50 Binoculars are particularly beginner-friendly, featuring large 50mm objective lenses and 7x magnification. These binoculars are perfect for anyone looking to explore the night sky with ease and clarity.


The Celestron - PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope with finderscope is a great option. It’s a manual German equatorial telescope for beginners that is both compact and portable. As a bonus, it includes an astronomy software package, making it easier to explore and understand the night sky.

Membership and Camping

To access the TAS Atoka site, a membership is required. The membership fee is around $50 for families, which includes access to the site, a subscription to The Spectrum (TAS's monthly newsletter), and The Reflector (Astronomical League's quarterly national newsletter). The site offers concrete pads with electricity for telescopes, restroom facilities, running water, and ample space for camping.

When the weather is good, the Atoka site is an excellent place for camping and stargazing. You can spend the night under the stars, enjoying the beauty of the night sky with fellow astronomy enthusiasts.

Whether you're a seasoned astronomer or just starting out, the Texas Astronomical Society's Atoka site is the perfect place to explore the wonders of the night sky. So grab your binoculars or telescope, join the TAS, and start your stargazing adventure today!

Happy stargazing! 

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