Club Meetings Second Friday of April-September at the Hormel Nature Center.
Notice: April 2025 meeting changed to Friday April 25th at 7pm.
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. The club was re-established in 2023.
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!
The club is free to join. We keep membership dues off the table by having members volunteer their time and expertise to help run the Sola Fide Observatory Public Viewing Nights and other space related events.
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 Observatory
Meetings
The club’s monthly meetings happen on the 2nd Friday of the month April-September. Meetings are either at 7:00 pm or 8:00pm depending on when the sky gets dark. All meetings start at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center and then move 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
- 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.