(Updated 2025-04-30)

Recent events:

  • March 15 – Stargazing on Tap Star Party (Cameron)
    • Coordinator: Steve B
    • Volunteers: Alan, Blair, Steve B
    • Attendees: 75
    • Recap: Steve B –

We had a good night of observing at James Creek Cider House in Cameron on Saturday night. Despite intermittent high clouds, we were able to help approximately 75 people observe Jupiter, Mars, Orion Nebula, Pleiades, Almach, Double Cluster, M36, M37, and the Moon. Anything below 30 deg above the horizon to the W-NW was soup.

    • Recap: Alan B –
Thanks Steve and Blair; it was great sharing the observing field with you. It was quite an enjoyable evening and the attendees all seemed to have a good and engaging time. I also believe that ZWO owes me a sales commission. I’m pretty sure from the interest and questions about my scope that I sold at least four SeeStar smart telescopes for them last night!
It was also fun, along with Blair’s expertise, to be able to help club member Laura and her ten year old daughter Cali, set up and learn to use their never unboxed until last night Orion Starblast telescope. It was quite amazing to watch young Cali, with only minimal instruction and coaching, begin to easily find and observe the same objects in the sky that Steve, Blair and I were showing to the attendees. Kids are quite amazing at how fast they can pick up new things. I was right about Cali’s age when I got my start in this hobby now almost 55 years ago. I hope a similar spark was lit last night and that they have many enjoyable evenings to come out under the stars.

 

  • March 19 – Baucom ES (Apex)
    • Coordinator: Steve B
    • Volunteers: Steve B
    • Attendees: 30
    • Recap: Steve B –

I ran a RAC table at the Baucom Elementary School Science Expo this evening. About 30 families stopped by to pick up RAC and AL handouts and stickers, along with a flyer for the upcoming SWSP at the American Tobacco Trail. Two Apex Friendship High School students helped me hand out flyers.

The SWSP for this site was a big success!  Sky’s were decent with only some high clouds, and we were able to view the Moon, Mars, Jupiter, the Orion nebula, a few double stars! 
We had 300+ attendees that were very excited to view these objects and learn about the scopes.

 

SWSP at 3BA went well! TLC thought attendance was “low” but I honestly think their expectations were too high. I thought attendance was higher than my own expectations, and everyone there seemed to have a great time (despite the crazy heat and iffy clouds)! The clouds really cleared up a decent amount later on in the evening, which gave us several objects to look at.

Wilson went great. It was a little overcast, but the three of us may do I think very well. I don’t exactly remember the number but it was something like 165 people came through. I believe probably 1/2 of that came out to look through the scopes.

Stoney Creek was definitely a nice time in spite of the light sky & clouds. They mentioned asking the business behind the park to turn off the parking lot lights next year. Hopefully they can.

  • April 14 – Martin MS Solar Science (Raleigh)
    • Coordinator: Ana V
    • Volunteers: Ana, Dana, Susan, Dean
    • Attendees: 40-45
    • Recap: Susan H –
We had @40-45 Students
Ana & Dana did the classroom presentation and Dean & I brought the solar scopes( White light & H-Alpha ).
Good day, windy 

 

    • Recap: Ana V –

Just to add to what Susan already said — We presented to two different classes (7th & 8th periods…”Astronomy” and “Science,” 6th-8th graders). Dana and I did a solar science presentation followed by taking the kids outside to do solar observing with Dean and Susan.

 

  • April 16 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh)
    • Coordinator: Susan H
    • Volunteers: Chris C, Jesus, Blair, Susan, Dean
    • Attendees: 80+
    • Recap: Dean H –
The Willard was full of interested and engaged people last night. We find that the Willard of all the outreach events has the highest amount of quality interaction of any outreach event with new members popping in to introduce themselves and others who want to join up. Numbers were up last night perhaps around 80+ the RAC table I manned was a non-stop questions and answer session. Blair, Jesus, Chris, and Susan were on the scopes (two EAA style and Two visual). Nobody spilled a drink into Chris’s cases last night… Actually, the people engaged were not there for the bar (ancillary to them) but there specifically for the Astronomy outreach that the club offers.
One of the biggest draws and thing most appreciated at the table have been (because we are out) the post card astrophotography pictures (thanks Naveen) that are well received.
Can we get more SOON please???

 

Upcoming events:

Notes:

The Outreach 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. We will train you! To volunteer for an event, register via the RAC Calendar event entry.

Event coordinators: please send an email after the event to [email protected] indicating:

  • How many RAC members volunteered.
  • Estimate of how many attendees were present.
  • Brief synopsis of the event: what interesting things were observed, attendee reactions, host impressions, etc.