Matt Lochansky

How will you use your telescope? Visually, Camera Assisted, or for Astrophotography

More Info: Visual Astronomy EAA Astronomy Astrophotography Introduction: This guide is intended for beginners looking to buy a telescope.  We recognize there are a lot of choices out there and we focus on what works best for our club members considering the Raleigh, NC area.  When preparing to buy a telescope, one of the first  considerations is how you plan to use it.  Each section below will take you to specific information about that style of observational astronomy.  With big…

Read More

Recommended Dobsonian Telescopes

RAC receives a lot of questions about buying a telescope. The answer always depends on your goals in astronomy, but for many a dobsonian style telescope is the most cost effective option to own an amateur class telescope. Dobsonians are relatively inexpensive because their optical tube is the least complex and it is mounted on a very simple base. This makes them very rugged telescopes and very easy to set up and operate. And since Aperture is king when it…

Read More

Telescope Accessories

No telescope comes with all the accessories you need out of the box. Consider this list of accessories that many amateur astronomers buy over time. The exact accessory may depend on the telescope you buy. What not to Buy Generally you’ll get a 10mm and a 25mm plossl eyepiece that fits a 1.25″ focuser. Stick with those. They’re all you’re going to need for a while. Avoid buying color filters as they are virtually useless. Also avoid buying any 1.5x,…

Read More

Aperture is king

For visual astronomy (looking through the eyepiece at the telescope), aperture is the most important feature of a telescope. Telescopes are light concentrators, so a bigger aperture collects more light and dim objects are brighter. Magnification is not an important consideration for most first-time telescope buyers. For most newcomers to the hobby, it is recommended to start with at least 1200mm of focal length and at least a 6″ mirror. For every 2″ of aperture you add ~72% more light…

Read More

MY VENTURE INTO ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY PART TWO BY: GERRY DiNUZIO

I Purchased the Starry Night program to help with star alignment and location of objects and found out that it is a big help but was still not getting to the objects as I expected.  I thought that the problem might be with my polar alignment, so I started looking into ways to improve on that.  I was quick to discover that there is a camera that would get excellent polar alignment.  So, entering my world was the Orion StarShoot…

Read More

May 2020 Star Newsletter

2020 May MY VENTURE INTO ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY By Gerry DiNunzio  Facebook Highlights  Astronomy Meets Amateur Radio  RACOBS Friday 22 May *Cancelled* PixInsight DBE Function Imaging Meeting 9 May RAC Meeting Minutes 8 May 2020 Stellar Spectroscopy   Website Content of the Month Star Newsletter April 2020 Home Page

Read More

Lunar Eclipse Jan 20/21, 2019

The night of January 20, extending after midnight into Jan 21 there will be a total lunar eclipse well positioned for us in Raleigh. The moon will start fading away by 10pm and will then be cast in a reddish hue as the total lunar eclipse begins at 11:41pm. The moon will be fully eclipsed until 12:43am and then take about two additional hours to exit the Earth’s shadow. RAC does not have a public event planned for the eclipse…

Read More

December Indoor Meeting: Swap Meet

NOTE:   DIFFERENT LOCATION!!! Location: Covenant Christian Church: 2911 SW Cary Parkway, Cary, NC 27513 (on the right just after you pass the ‘YMCA’ on the left)Date: December 14, 2018Time: 7:30-9:30pm Swap Meet! Bring your own table, chairs are provided.  Bring any gear to swap or sell. RAC Business:After the presentation, we will discuss additional RAC business. We will then adjourn for dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings

Read More

Using the Calendar

Non-Members: To use the calendar, you do NOT need to be logged into the site.  Non-Members can see all calendar entries except private club events and outreach events not open to the general public.  Membership is not required to register for most events. Exporting the Calendar: Currently, there is no functionality to export the entire calendar.  However, by registering for individual events per the directions below, a calendar file will be sent to your email for each event, individually. Using…

Read More

Updating your Profile

It is very important to keep your profile up to date. Your profile data is shared with the Astronomical League and may be accessible within the club. To Update Your Profile or change your password: 1. Log into your account using your account email and password. If you forgot your password, click here 2. Scroll down the members page and find your profile information, see Fig-1. 3. Update the information. Please ensure an up to date address is provided. 4.…

Read More

RAC is a non profit organization

Please send general inquiries to [email protected]

Member Login
Social Networks

Proud Member of

Astronomical League


Night Sky Network

We Support

Dark Skies