RAC Outreach Committee Report – October 2026

(Updated 2026-10-28)

Recent Events:

October 2 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmore)
- Coordinator: Ana V

October 14 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers: Blair, Firman, Jesus, Steve B
- Recap: Steve B –

We had a smaller than usual crowd of about ~40 at the Willard tonight despite a warm and clear night. Over three hours we briefly observed the Moon before it was obscured, and then spent the rest of the evening wowing several first time observers with good views of Saturn. Jesus also got a great capture of the North America Nebula.

October 23 – The Exchange (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers: Steve B
- Recap: Steve B –

We finally managed to observe here after about 4 attempts. About 25 people joined me. I bounced around between the Moon and Saturn, occasionally observing M31 and M29. The skies were clear but the humidity was high, and this not a dark sky site to put it mildly, so most DSOs were off the table. The people who came out were quite impressed with the view, and I had several good conversations.

We may try to come back again in the winter when Jupiter is visible.

October 24 – International Observe the Moon Night (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers: Sunil, Smirti, Steve B
- Recap: Steve B –

We had at least 150 family members come out to Martin Middle School to observe, do crafts, and eat pizza tonight. We observed the Moon, Saturn, and briefly Mizar when clouds rolled through in the early evening. NCMNS provided the food and snacks and some crafts, along with Martin’s staff. We got a lot of “wow”s from kids and parents alike when observing Saturn’s rings and lunar craters for the first time.

Upcoming Events:

November 6 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmore)
- Coordinator: Ana V
- Volunteers registered:
  - telescopes: 2/15
  - floaters: 2/5
November 7 – Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Day (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers registered:
  - RAC table: 0/4
November 7 – James Creek Cider House (Cameron)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers registered:
  - telescopes: 2/5
  - floaters: 1/3
November 14 – Astronomy Night at Joyner Park (Wake Forest)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers needed (registration opens October 17):
  - telescopes: 1/5
  - floaters: 1/3
November 12 – Overture Crabtree (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers registered:
  - telescopes: 0/3
  - floaters: 0/3
December 4 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmore)
- Coordinator: Ana V
- Volunteers registered:
  - telescopes: 0/15
  - floaters: 0/5
December 10 – Northeast Regional Library (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers needed (registration opens November 7):
  - telescopes: 4
  - floaters: 3
December 16 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh)
- Coordinator: Steve B
- Volunteers needed (registration opens November 10):
  - telescopes: 3
  - floaters: 3

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.

outreach