With the arrival of fall weather and clearer skies, RAC has been busy with a number of public outreach events in recent weeks with more to come.
Public Stargaze: Annie Wilkerson Nature Preserve
On Saturday, Oct 4th, RAC held a public observing session at the Annie Wilkerson Nature Preserve in North Raleigh. Skies were clear and about 50 guests showed up for an evening of mostly Moon viewing; but also Mars, Albireo, the M31 Andromeda galaxy and a number of Messier open and globular clusters. We had a big turnout from club members who did a great job showing off the night sky to our guests. Many thanks to Matt Lochansky, Mike Mantini, Ian Hewitt, Ann Murphy, Doug Lively, Ron Monti, Steve Christensen, Don Morris, Mike Keefe, Brian Reasor, John Sadler, Corky Brunskill, Chris Mohr and park staff for all their hard work.
RAC Members Prepare for Public Observing
RAC members setting up at AWNP
Lecture and Stargaze: Wake Regional Libraries
On Thursday, Oct 2nd, RAC did the first in an October series of Getting Started in Astronomy talks at the Wake Regional Libraries. This one was held at the West Regional Library in Cary with about 40 attendees who also got to view the Moon and Mars through our telescopes. We also treated visitors at the North Regional Library (Oct 8th) to another indoor talk followed by parking lot observing of a beautiful full Moon,the Ring Nebula and Albireo. Many thanks to Ron Monti for giving these talks and to Chris Cole, Ann Murphy, Mark and Phyllis Lang, Brian Reasor, Matt Lochansky, Doug Lively and Frank Slaydon for all their help.
Indoor Lecture at West Regional Library
Crowd at North Regional Library
Stargaze: Family Safari Night at Prairie Ridge Ecostation
On Saturday, Sept 27th, the club sky-toured about 50 overnight campers at the Museum of Natural Sciences Family Safari Night event at the Prairie Ridge Ecostation in Raleigh. Skies were clear and club members treated the campers to views of the Moon, Saturn, Mars, the Ring Nebula, Double Cluster and much more. The kids got an eyefull. Thanks to Ann Murphy, Jim Dellapenna,Doug Lively, Mike Mantini and Dave Brugger for sky-touring the campers.
RAC Members and Campers at Prairie Ridge
