RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes

August 19 2022

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

23 participants in-person, 15 participants via Zoom.

Presentation: “Curiosity’s 10th Anniversary” by Ken Brandt and Doug Ellison.

Ken Brandt is director of the Robison Planetarium and Science Center in Lumberton, NC and a NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador. Doug Ellison is a member of NASA JPL’s Mars Science Laboratory team and became the Engineering Camera Team Lead in 2019 and teh Curiosity Integrated Planning and Execution Team Chief in 2022.

Business

RAC Announcements by co-chairperson Naveen Malik

Upcoming meetings:

  • August 26 – RAC Observing Session (RACOBS)
  • September 9 – RAC Indoor Meeting
  • September 15  – Imaging Meeting: Galaxies M81/M82

RAC is looking for more options for communication beyond the website and groups.io mailing lists. If you have suggestions or are willing to volunteer please contact a co-chair (Naveen, Anastasia, Mike).

Member Milestones by co-chairperson Naveen Malik

  • Frank Westmorland – new photographic images

ALCOR Report by co-chairperson Naveen Malik

  • Dana Bostic earned the “NASA Observing Challenge: James Webb Telescope” certificate.
  • Rob Parson earned the “Basic Outreach” certificate and pin.

Outreach Committee Update by Matt Lochansky

Recent outreach events:

  • August 12 – Perseid Skywatching at Dorothea Dix
    • News and Observer front page article (August 14)
    • ~4500 attendees

Upcoming outreach events:

    • August 28 – Skywatching at NC Museum of Art
    • September 2 – First Friday at Three Bear Acres (postponed to September 16)
    • September 21 – The Willard rooftop lounge
    • October 1 – Skywatching at White Deer Park
    • November 2 – The Willard rooftop lounge

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.

Treasurer’s Report by secretary Steven Blake

Membership – 431 total (11 new members, 1 emails removed – inactive members)

  • 284 single memberships
  • 86 family memberships with 61 secondary members

Balances:

  • Business checking: $ 1228.79
  • Savings: $ 19602.05
  • Special purpose checking: $ 129.93

Recent large (approved) expenses:

  • $1006.00 – A/V equipment for meeting streaming
  • -$579.06 – Amazon returns

Keyholders Report by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

  • Re-assigning Keys for RACOBS keyholders

Loaner Scope Report by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

  • Planning to catch-up on returns and requests by end-of-August
  • Two telescope donations
    • Handmade Newtonian reflector
    • 16″ Meade Newtonian reflector. Trying to figure out where to store it because it would require a truck to transport it to observing sites.

Imaging Group Report by Chris Cole

  • Q3 Imaging Contest: Milky Way, wide field. Details are in an email from Chris Cole.
  • Integrated Flux Nebula (IFN) Workshop
    • IFN: dust in the Milky Way illuminated by all of the stars
    • Follow-up to August’s IFN imaging meeting. Naveen Malik will lead, most likely in late September (TBA).
  •  “Silent Sky” image contest
    • “Silent Sky” is a play being produced by Burning Coal theater, based on the life of early 1900s astronomer Henrietta Leavit, who studied Cephied variable stars.
    • Burning Coal is interested in having RAC participate in an image contest. Any RAC member may submit a single photo for the contest.
    • Burning Coal will select one winning picture which will be featured on the show’s posted and printed promotional material. The winner will receive two free tickets to the show.
    • All other entries will be projected in the lobby while “Silent Sky” is running (in December).
    • Contest details will be emailed to the club.

RGAS Meeting – Sammy’s Tap & Grill, 2235 Avent Ferry Rd., Raleigh, NC 27606 – 919-755-3880