RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes

February 10 2023

Co-chairperson Anastasia Vail hosted the meeting in-person at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, as well as virtually using the Zoom platform.

20 participants in-person, 21 participants via Zoom, 14 participants via Facebook.

RAC Announcements by co-chairperson Anastasia Vail

Upcoming meetings/events:

  • February 15 – TLC Expo at NC Museum of Natural Sciences
  • February 16 – Imaging Meeting (Comet Processing Strategies)
  • February 23 – STEAM Night at River Dell Elementary School
  • February 24 – RAC Observing Session (RACOBS)
  • March 1 – The Willard Rooftop
  • March 2 – Environmental Science Fair at Abbotts Creek Elementary School
  • March 3 – First Fridays Under the Stars With T.L.C. at Three Bears Acres
  • March 10 – RAC Indoor Meeting at Morehead Planetarium – register via RAC calendar

Presentation: “NASA’s Space Launch System” by Will Bryan, NASA

Business

Member Milestones by co-chairperson Anastasia Vail

  • Frank Westmorland erected his largest photo tower to-date at the recent Astronomy Days

Outreach Committee Update by Matt Lochansky

Upcoming outreach events:

    • February 15 – TLC Expo at NC Museum of Natural Sciences
    • February 23 – STEAM Night at River Dell Elementary School
      • Clayton, Johnston County
      • Table display and telescopes
      • Aimed at Pre-K and 2nd grade
    • March 1 – The Willard Rooftop
    • March 2 – Environmental Science Fair at Abbots Creek Elementary School
      • North Raleigh
      • Table display and telescopes
    • March 3 – First Fridays Under the Stars with T.L.C. at Three Bears Acres
    • April 21/22 – Statewide Star Party
      • https://ncsciencefestival.org/starparty
      • Details TBD.
      • Friday April 21:
        • Imagination Station (RAC will only send 2 telescopes here)
        • White Deer Park
        • Prairie Ridge
      • Saturday April 22:
        • Triangle Land Conservance at Three Bear Acres

All First Friday Under the Stars with TLC events in 2023 will be held at Three Bear Acres, until further notice.

The observing committee is looking for volunteers to coordinate events and assist at events with or without a telescope. To join the committee send a blank email to [email protected]. Any club member is welcome, regardless of experience level. To volunteer for an event, register via the RAC Calendar.

Treasurer’s Report by secretary Steve Blake

Membership – 512 total (28 new members, 4 canceled – inactive members)

  • 341 single memberships
  • 104 family memberships with 71 secondary members

Balances:

  • Business checking: $ 1109.63
  • Savings: $ 24,388.62
  • Special purpose checking: $ 896.23

Webmaster Report: by co-chair Anastasia Vail

  • See members list email about Astropheric subspace for RAC.

Imaging Group Update by co-chairperson Naveen Malik

  • Next meeting – February 16 (Zoom)
  • Comet Processing Strategies discussion led by Jay Hyman
  • Register via RAC Calendar

RGAS Meeting – Ruckus Pizza, 2233 Avent Ferry Rd., Raleigh, NC 27606 – (919) 835-2002