Today was work day at #OxleyNatureCenter for the Thursday #Volunteer group. We are rebuilding stairs next to the Interpretive Center, replacing old, unevenly spaced and rotten railroad ties. Visitors complained that the uneven spacing and uneven rise made it hard to use the stairs. The replacement will be at 30˚ angle with code-standard rise and tread. We will also add a handrail on the right side.

Before the work day, I had a chance to get out to view the crescent #Moon as it passed by the #GalacticCore. #X-Sgr was visible, and is the guide star I use for location. The GC rises just before the beginning of #AstronomicalTwilight so imaging from in town with significant light pollution is impossible. Hope to get to the #TallgrassPrairiePreserve for imaging next month in Class 2 sky. Images include a shot of the Moon and visible stars, and a labeled version of the shot. #Mercury is rising and will reach maximum on the 25th.

A #Sunrise to start the week. This from the #TallgrassPrairiePreserve in #OsageCoutny #Oklahoma. This is one of the best places to see unaltered Tallgrass and #Bison roaming freely.

A little pre-sunrise color to start the week, from the #TallgrassPrairiePreserve. The #TGPP is one of the larger remnants of undisturbed Tallgrass prairie. It is home to roughly 3,000 #Bison that roam freely, sometimes making field work interesting. It is also the closest #DarkSky to my area. With #Class2 skies, the #MilkyWay and #DeepSky objects are visible. A 1 hour 30 minute drive in the dark is well worth the effort as the Milky Way Becomes visible again later in the month.