RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes

December 16 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.

20 participants in-person, 12 participants via Zoom, 5 participants via Facebook.

RAC Announcements by co-chairperson Naveen Malik

Upcoming meetings/events:

  • December 23 – RAC Observing Meeting (RACOBS) (cancelled)
  • January 7 – First Fridays (Saturday) Under the Stars with TLC (Three Bear Acres)
  • January 11 – The Willard rooftop
  • January 13 – RAC Indoor Meeting
  • January 14 – White Deer Park
  • January 19 – RAC Imaging Meeting
  • January 28/29 – Astronomy Days and NC Museum of Natural Sciences
  • March 10 – RAC Indoor Meeting at Morehead Planetarium
  • April 21/22 – Statewide Star Party

Presentation: “2022 Imaging Showcase” by Chris Cole, RAC Imaging Group

Chris Cole hosted a presentation of astronomical images taken in 2022 by the following RAC members:

  • Kenneth Grunwald
  • Chris Cole
  • Naveen Malik
  • Johnny Horne
  • Doug Lively
  • Jim Perciaccante
  • Chris Wittum
  • Mark Lang
  • Dave Filipowski

Business

Membership Survey Results by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

  • Survey sent to membership on November 6.
  • Survey closes November 30.
  • 134 RAC members responded.
  • Survey data and recommendations will be presented in the next 1-2 months.
  • Ten $25 Amazon gift cards were awarded to following responders:
    • Connie West
    • Phil Burns
    • Bhaskar Bharath
    • Betty Ann O’Brien
    • Thomas Matthews
    • Dana Bostic
    • Matthew Willis
    • John Underwood
    • Amanda C.
    • Phillip Hall

Astronomy Days by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

  • 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.
  • Featured speaker: Christina Koch, NASA astronaut
  • Speaker or exhibit proposals need to be submitte by January 4. Neither the presentation nor the exhibit need to be completed to submit a proposal.
  • Volunteers for exhibits are needed; please contact volunteer coordinator co-chairperson Anastasia Vail <[email protected]>.

ALCOR Report by ALCOR Doug Lively

  • Dana Bostic received the following awards:
    • Outreach Award (basic level) – certificate and award pin
    • Constellation Hunter – certificate, pin, and letter

Outreach Committee Update by co-chairperson Naveen Malik

Upcoming outreach events:

    • January 7 – First Fridays (Saturday) Under the Stars with TLC (Three Bear Acres)
    • January 11 – The Willard rooftop
    • January 14 – White Deer Park
    • January 28/29 – Astronomy Days and NC Museum of Natural Sciences
    • March 10 – Statewide Star Party night at Morehead Planetarium
      • 120 RAC seats tracked through RAC calendar
    • 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.

Treasurer’s Report by secretary Steve Blake

Membership – 477 total (8 new members, 10 canceled – inactive members)

  • 315 single memberships
  • 95 family memberships with 67 secondary members

Balances:

  • Business checking: $ 410.07
  • Savings: $ 21,018.88
  • Special purpose checking: $ 571.62

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