The Co-Chairs met with NC Museum of Natural Sciences staff for the first Astronomy Days 2013 planning meeting this past Thursday evening.

We were informed that the main speaker for Astronomy Days will be Dr. Jim Green, NASA’s Planetary Science Division Director.  We are also hoping that Dr. Green will address the club on the Friday night before Astronomy Days. However, this has not been confirmed.

We also discussed the list of possible exhibits as well as the location of the various exhibits:

  • Ask the Astronomer

    Ask the Astronomer

    RAC Table and Ask the Astronomer: No major changes from last year however we want to make sure that the club has all the handout materials needed such as club brochures and business cards.
  • Astrophotography: The consensus was that last year the location was too dark and possibly out of the flow of traffic.  Additionally some objections were made of the acoustics of the location.  Possible options for a new location include the 4th floor of the NRC, where the Thermal Imaging display used to be or in the same place but with the lighting fixed.  A decision will need to be made soon as to the location.
  • Solar Observing: No major changes from last year.
  • Telescopes on Display

    Telescopes on Display

    Telescopes on Display (In the Main Museum and the NRC)    : Having telescopes on display in both locations was as real hit last year.  The venue in the NRC allowed for placement/hanging of objects that could be seen through telescopes.  The club will bring its newly acquired 17.5″ DOB to one of the displays as well as try to bring several other loaner scopes to display.  The Telescopes on Display in the NRC will be limited to 3 scopes as there will be other displays in the NRC lobby.
  • Solar System Display: In 2012 the museum ran with this exhibit with from input from the club.  Scale models of the planets were positioned outside as was an 8 foot sun.  They will continue this unmanned exhibit again in 2013 but with heavier stands.  Some planets do require some touch ups.
  • Modeling the Cosmos

    Modeling the Cosmos

    Modeling the Cosmos: Last year was the first year for this exhibit and it was equally as much of a hit as the Scale of the Universe. We hope to have Ron M. back with this exhibit again.
  • Scale of Universe: This interactive, web based display was a very bit hit last year.  Its placement next to the Modeling the Cosmos exhibit was great and we plan to have them together again this year.  Hopefully this year we will not have the computer/audio/video issues we had last year.
  • Astronomy Fact or Fiction: This was another interactive, unmanned exhibit last year, next to the RAC Table.  There are few updates needed for this year but we plan to have this one back as well.
  • Exoplanets

    Exoplanets

    Exoplanets: The Lego Orrery did not make in time for last year but this year we will have it ready
  • The Electromagnetic Spectrum: Last year’s exhibit location changed at the very last minute from the bridge connecting the 2 buildings to the 4th floor of the NRC. We hope to have this one back on the bridge. The museum staff is seeking approval for this venue change.Age Weight and Jumping on Other Planets: This exhibit (mostly run by kids last year) was a really big hit with the addition of common objects from around the house weighted to feel like they would on other planets.  Additionally the updated printout was very well received.

A new exhibit was also discussed, 3D Constellation (working name).  This would be an exhibit showing that our view of how constellations look in the sky are actually quite different when viewed from another angle in space.  This may be an exhibit we use an audio loop on or possibly man the exhibit.  Some possible locations for this exhibit are the Immersion Theater on the NRC (could be too noisy in there), Mountain Cove, or where Thermal Imaging used to be.

We also spoke about the old Speed of Light exhibit.  The museum still has all the materials and signage however the Officers were not sure we would have sufficient number of volunteers given all the other exhibits RAC is doing.  This exhibit is most likely out for 2013.

The topic of Workshops was also discussed workshops.  Last year we had the following workshops and hope to have these again for 2013:

  • Beginning Astrophotography
  • How to Get Started in Astronomy
  • How to Get Started in Astronomy with Kids
  • Ancient Navigational Instruments

A new activity we are looking to add will be a demonstration of “How to Make a Comet.  Initial thoughts are to have this activity in the main lobby of the NRC.  The craft for the kids this year will also be comet related and in the main lobby of the NRC.

Lastly there are a few openings for speakers in the Daily Planet or in Windows on the World.  Dr. Jim Green (NASA) and Dr. Rachel Smith (NRC) will have various speaking slots on both Saturday and Sunday.  However the current schedule will allow for several slots for other speakers should a RAC member or other Astronomy Days participants care to prepare a talk.