Meeting Minutes September 27, 2024

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes

September 27, 2024

Co-Chair Dana Bostic hosted the meeting in-person at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, as well as virtually using the Zoom platform.

19 meeting participants attended in-person, 10 attended via Zoom.

Book Pre-Orders:

The Objects in the Heavens books have arrived and are available for pickup, please see Susan Herring to get your order. The Log Books are on reorder and will be in by the October meeting . The secretary will send out a note when they arrive, thank you.

Officer Elections & budget ratification:  The officer ballot was approved by a quorum of 26 and the budget passed by a vote of 28.

Ballot:

Co-chairs:

Naveen Malik, Dana Bostic

Treasurer: Steve Izzo

Secretary: Susan Herring

Upcoming Events:

  • September 30 thru October 6 – Staunton River Star Party
  • October 4 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor)
  • October 30 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh)
  • November 01 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor)
  • November 07 – Morrisville Community Library (Morrisville)
  • November 09 – Stargazing on Tap Star Party (Cameron)
  • November 23 – Prairie Ridge Ecostation (Raleigh)
    • Joint event with Morehead Planetarium
  • December 04 – STEM Night: Apex Friendship ES (Apex)
  • December 06 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor)
  • December 18 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh)

Presentation: Betelgeuse: Will It Supernova Soon?

Betelgeuse, the bright red supergiant star in the constellation Orion, is nearing the final phases of its life cycle. Astronomers predict it to explode in a brilliant supernova within the next 100,000 years, and recent erratic brightness changes have sparked speculation that this spectacular show might even happen much earlier than that. Stefan Shared with us the past, present, and ultimate end of this fascinating star.

Speaker: Stefan Will

 

2024 RAC BBQ

Date: Saturday, 12 October 2024

Time: 11:00am – 2:30pm

Location: Buckwheat Farm

(2700 Holland Road Apex, NC 27502)

Food: Memphis-style dry-rub pork BBQ

Seasoned chicken legs thighs, Hot dogs, Strawberry ice cream, Soft drinks

*** Please bring a side to share (potluck style)! ***

Please feel free to bring solar observing equipment!

Deadline for sign up is end of Sept 28, tomorrow.  Registration closes on the RAC calendar at midnight.

Business:

Current Officers & Committee Chairs

Co-Chairs: Naveen Malik, Dana Bostic & Anastasia Vail

Treasurer: Steve Izzo

Secretary: Susan Herring

Committee Chairs:

ALCOR: Dean Herring

Outreach: Steven Blake

Webmaster: Barton Meeks

Loaner Scopes: Rob Parsons

Key Holders: Naveen Malik

Education: Anastasia Vail,

Social Media: Anastasia Vail

Imaging: Chris Cole

A/V: Naveen Malik

Reports:

Treasurer’s Report: Steven Izzo

Membership: – 538 total.

330 single memberships
121 family memberships with 87secondary members

Financials:

Business checking: $1,659.70
Savings: $23,823.41
Special purpose checking: $48.39

Astronomical League Awards: Dean Herring

  • Al Hamrick – Urban OP – Certificate (Sleeve) and Pin
  •  Dean Herring – Caldwell OP (imaging) – Certificate and Pin 
  • Susan Herring – Caldwell OP (Imaging) – Certificate and Pin
               

Outreach Report: Steve Blake

  • August 14 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh)
    • Volunteers: Dean, Susan, Mark, Benjamin, Jesus, and Steve B
    • Attendees: ~40
  • August 17 – Artspace Summer Celebration (Raleigh)
    • Volunteers: Dean, Susan, Dana, Blair, and Steve B
    • Attendees: ~50
  • August 25 – East Regional Library (Knightdale)
    • Volunteers: Doug L
    • Attendees: 16
  • September 6 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor)
    • Canceled due to weather forecast

Upcoming Events:

      • September 30 thru October 6 – Staunton River Star Party
      • October 4 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor)
      • October 30 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh)
      • November 01 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor)
      • November 07 – Morrisville Community Library (Morrisville)
      • November 09 – Stargazing on Tap Star Party (Cameron)
      • November 23 – Prairie Ridge Ecostation (Raleigh)
        • Joint event with Morehead Planetarium
      • December 04 – STEM Night: Apex Friendship ES (Apex)
      • December 06 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor)
      • December 18 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh)

Loaner Scope Report:  Rob Parsons

Cassagrains: 8 out / 0 available/ 2 in for repair

Dobsonians: 9 out / 2 available

Maksutovs: 1 out / 0 available

Refractors: 1 out / 1 available

Reflectors: 2 out / 2 available

Binoculars: 1 out / 3 available

Imaging Meeting & Report:

Quarterly Imaging Challenge — (Supernova Remnants)

Thu Oct 17 2024, 07:30pm EDT

Cherry Building

No Reports:

  • A/V
  • Keyholder
  • Social Media
  • Webmaster Team

Education Committee Report: Anastasia Vail

UPCOMING CLASSES: Cherry Building at Dix

  • November 2, 2024 class will be an imaging workshop (topic TBD, led by Chris and Naveen)
  • December 7, 2024 class will be about polar aligning an EQ mount (official title TBD, led by Rob Parsons).

After meeting Social:

Sammy’s

 

All First Friday Under the Stars with TLC events in 2024 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.

RAC is a non profit organization

Please send general inquiries to [email protected]

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