RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes

January 13 2023

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

21 participants in-person, 22 participants via Zoom, 5 participants via Facebook.

RAC Announcements by co-chairperson Naveen Malik

Upcoming meetings/events:

  • January 14 – Skywatching at White Deer Park
  • January 19 – RAC Imaging Meeting
  • January 19: NC Museum of Natural Sciences Science Cafe
  • January 27: Astronomy Days setup at NC Museum of Natural Sciences
  • January 28/29 – Astronomy Days and NC Museum of Natural Sciences
  • February 3 – First Fridays Under the Stars with T.L.C. at Three Bears Acres
  • February 10 – RAC Indoor Meeting
  • March 10 – RAC Indoor Meeting at Morehead Planetarium – register via RAC calendar
  • April 21/22 – Statewide Star Party

Presentation: “The Size of Celestial Things (Actual and Apparent)” by Phyllis Lang, RAC member.

Business

Member Milestones by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

  • Dana Bostic appointed NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador

Astronomy Days by co-chairperson Anastasia Vail

  • Saturday January 28 – Sunday January 29 at NC Museum of Natural Sciences
  • Setup during the evening of January 27
  • Volunteers for exhibits are needed; register via the RAC calendar:
    • RAC table: 1-2 on Saturday, 2 on Sunday
    • Telescopes on Display: 2 with telescopes
    • Solar Observing: 1 with a solar telescope
    • Astrophotography: 1
    • Floaters

RAC Discord Server by Matt Lochansky

  • RAC Discord Server is up and running. See the members@ list for an invitation link.
    • 5 moderators
    • 67 members and growing
    • Voice chat supported

Outreach Committee Update by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

Upcoming outreach events:

    • January 14 – Skywatching at White Deer Park
    • January 19 – NC Museum of Natural Sciences Science Cafe
    • January 28/29 – Astronomy Days and NC Museum of Natural Sciences
    • February 3 – First Fridays Under the Stars with T.L.C. at Three Bears Acres
    • February 23 – STEAM Night at River Dell Elementary School
    • March 1 – The Willard Rooftop
    • March 2 – Environmental Science Fair at Abbots Creek Elementary School
    • March 3 – First Fridays Under the Stars with T.L.C. at Three Bears Acres
    • 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. To volunteer for an event, register via the RAC Calendar.

Treasurer’s Report by secretary Steve Blake

Membership – 488 total (11 new members, 17 canceled – inactive members)

  • 320 single memberships
  • 97 family memberships with 71 secondary members

Balances:

  • Business checking: $ 772.07
  • Savings: $ 21,615.64
  • Special purpose checking: $ 2,771.16

Imaging Group Update by co-chairperson Mike Keefe

  • Next meeting – January 19 by Zoom
  • Imaging challenge – Single Frame Calibration
  • Register via RAC Calendar

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