(Updated 2025-10-01)
Recent events:
- September 5 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor)
- Coordinator: Ana V
- September 9 – Sanderson High School (Raleigh)
- Coordinator/volunteer: Tony V
- Recap: Tony V –
I was the guest speaker representing the Ralegh Astronomy Club
The Sanderson High School Astronomy Club hosted an engaging outreach event, How to Become an Amateur Astronomer, that drew a strong turnout of curious and enthusiastic students. The session offered a hands-on introduction to stargazing and the tools that make it possible.
Students began with interactive exercises using a planisphere, learning how to chart the night sky and locate constellations. From there, they explored the basics of binoculars and compared different types of telescopes, gaining insight into how each instrument opens a new window to the universe.
The highlight of the event came when students viewed printed images of Jupiter and Saturn, replicating the perspective they would see through binoculars and telescopes. This gave participants a taste of the awe-inspiring sights awaiting them in real observing sessions.
Overall, the program was lively, educational, and inspiring. Students left not only more knowledgeable, but also excited about astronomy as a hobby they can pursue for a lifetime.
- September 13 – American Heritage Girls – Medoc Mtn. (Hollister)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers registered: Susan, Dean, Steve B
- Recap: Steve B –
There were intermittent bands of high clouds, and the eastern and southern horizons were bright and soupy. But we and our 13 guests were able to view quite a few open and globular clusters, M31, Alberio, and Mizar.
When we are packing up the zenith was clear and the Milky Way was easily visible. On a clear dry night it is probably pretty dark. It is a 85 minute drive from east Cary.
- September 26 – The Hartwell (Raleigh)
- Canceled due to weather forecast
Upcoming events:
- October 3 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor)
- Coordinator: Ana V
- Volunteers registered:
- telescopes: 4/15
- floaters: 1/5
- October 4 – International Observe the Moon Night – Dillard Drive MS (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers registered:
- telescopes: 2/8
- floaters: 0/5
- October 4 – International Observe the Moon Night – Peach Road Park (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: TBD
- Volunteers registered:
- telescopes: 2/3
- floaters: 1/2
- October 15 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: TBD
- Volunteers registered:
- telescopes: 3/3
- floaters: 1/3
- October 18 – Stargazing on Tap Star Party (Cameron)
- Volunteered registered:
- telescopes: 2/5
- floaters: 1/3
- Volunteered registered:
- November 7 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor)
- Coordinator: Ana V
- Volunteers registered:
- telescopes: 0/15
- floaters: 0/5
- November 13 – The Hartwell (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers needed (registration starts October 8):
- telescopes: 4
- floaters: 3
- November 15 – Scouts – Camp Campbell (Clarksville, VA)
- Coordinator: Matt L
- Volunteers needed (registration starts October 10):
- telescopes: 5
- floaters: 3
- December 3 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers needed (registration starts October 28):
- telescopes: 3
- floaters: 3
- December 5 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor)
- Coordinator: Ana V
- Volunteers registered:
- telescopes: 0/15
- floaters: 0/5
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.
