RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes

November 11 2022

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

12 participants in-person, 16 participants via Zoom.

Presentation: “Avoiding Armageddon” by Matthew Funke, NASA Solar System Ambassador

Business

RAC Announcements by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

Upcoming meetings/events:

  • November 17 – RAC Imaging Meeting
  • November 19 – Skywatching at White Deer Park
  • November 25 – RAC Observing Meeting (RACOBS)
  • December 1 – RAC table at “Silent Sky” production at Burning Coal Theatre
  • December 3 – First Fridays (Saturday) Under the Stars with TLC (Three Bear Acres)
  • December 8 – RAC table at “Silent Sky” production at Burning Coal Theatre
  • December 9 – Apollo Celebration at NC Museum of Natural Sciences
  • December 10 – “Silent Sky” RAC night at Burning Coal Theatre
    • “Henrietta Leavitt dreams of being an astronomer, but isn’t allowed to touch a telescope. Be transported to the Harvard Observatory in the early 1900’s and discover what really happened n Henrietta’s battle for recognition”.
    • RAC members will receive discounted entry to the show this evening ($5 discount using code RACSKY5).
    • Chris Cole’s image of the Heart Nebula won the image contest.
  • December 15 – RAC Imaging Meeting
  • December 16 – RAC Indoor Meeting – 2022 Imaging Showcase
  • December 23 – RAC Observing Meeting (RACOBS)

Astroworld Telescope gave RAC a $100 donation.

Membership Survey by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

  • Survey sent to membership on November 6.
  • Survey closes November 30.
  • Ten $25 Amazon gift cards will be awarded to selected responders.
  • In case of a problem with the survey, contact a RAC officer.

Astronomy Days by ALCOR Doug Lively

  • Saturday January 28 – Sunday January 29 at NC Museum of Natural Sciences
  • Whether the event will be held in-person and whether livestreaming will be available are TBD. Pre-2021 attendance was typically > 14,000.
  • Volunteers needed; please contact a RAC officer.

Member Milestones by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

  • Frank Westmorland took double exposure photos of the November 8 lunar eclipse.
  • Mike Keefe captured 54 galaxies of the Pegasus Cluster in one EAA image at Staunton River Star Party.
  • Chris Cole has been an amateur astronomer for 15 years.
  • Ken Patton broke a gear in his telescope mount.

ALCOR Report by ALCOR Doug Lively

  • Christian Joyner is joining the ALCOR team.

Outreach Committee Update by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

Upcoming outreach events:

  • November 19 – Skywatching at White Deer Park
  • November 29 – Olive Chapel Elementary School STEM Night
  • December 1 – RAC table at “Silent Sky” production at Burning Coal Theatre
  • December 3 – First Fridays (Saturday) Under the Stars with TLC (Three Bear Acres)
    • Kids activities planned starting at 4:00PM.
    • Winter theme
    • Food truck will be present
  • December 8 – RAC table at “Silent Sky” production at Burning Coal Theatre
  • December 9 – Apollo Celebration at NC Museum of Natural Sciences
  • December 10 – “Silent Sky” RAC night at Burning Coal Theatre
    • A RAC table will be present on December 1, 8, and 10. Volunteers can sign up on the RAC website.

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 treasurer Steve Izzo

Membership – 471 total (14 new members, 1 canceled – inactive members)

  • 311 single memberships
  • 94 family memberships with 66 secondary members

Balances:

  • Business checking: $ 768.07
  • Savings: $ 19296.30
  • Special purpose checking: $ 331.59

Renewals:

  • A renewal email will be sent in early December.
  • Auto-renewals will occur on January 1.
  • Manual renewals have 3 months to renew.

Loaner Scope Report by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

  • No new telescopes

Imaging Group Report by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

  • November 17 – RAC Imaging Meeting
  • December 10 – “Silent Sky” RAC night at Burning Coal Theatre

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