Club Reports

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes May 13 2022 Co-chairperson Ann Murphy hosted the meeting in-person at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, as well as virtually using the Zoom platform. 23 participants in-person, 27 participants via Zoom. Presentation: “Where Do Galaxies End” by Dr. Mike Shull, Univ. of Colorodo, Dept. of Astrophysical and Planetary Science, and UNC-CH Lecture summary: Observational and theoretical evidence for the enormous sizes of galaxies, some extending 1 million light years in radius, is discussed. What we “see”…

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes 11 March 2022 Co-chairperson Mike Keefe hosted the meeting using the Zoom platform. 36 participants RAC Announcements by co-chairperson Mike Keefe Upcoming meetings and events: March 17 – Imaging Meeting March 25 – RACOBS March 28 – April 3 – Staunton River Star Party April 8-9 – Statewide Star Party April 8 – RACOBS April 14 – Imaging Meeting April  22 – RAC Meeting Presentation: “Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA)” by RAC co-chairperson Mike Keefe Business Treasurer’s…

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes 11 February 2022 Meeting was held at Morehead Planetarium in conjunction with CHAOS. Meeting chair was Amy Sayle. Co-chairperson Ann Murphy was the RAC host. 103 participants, 51 indicated RAC affiliation Welcome & tonight’s plan & COVID-19 policies by Amy Sayle Morehead Planetarium, Statewide Star Party hosts, CHAOS and RAC leadership were introduced. CHAOS Announcements by Jayme Hanzak Staunton River Star Party registration is open via email (see instructions at http://chaosastro.org/starparty/). Dates are March 28 –…

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes 28 January 2022 Co-chairperson Mike Keefe hosted the online meeting using the Zoom platform. 47 participants RAC Announcements Upcoming Events Astronomy Days schedule/events Feb 5 – Skywatching Session at Prairie Ridge – CANCELLED Feb 11 – Next RAC Club Meeting at Morehead Planetarium – Statewide Star Party Feb 17 – Imaging SIG meeting Feb 25 – RACOBS Mar 2 – Stargazing on the Willard Rooftop, Downtown Raleigh Mar 11 – RAC Club Meeting (TBD) Mar 17…

Attendees: Steve Izzo, Ann Murphy, Barton Meeks, Mike Keefe, Doug Lively, Anastasia Vail, Matt Lochansky, Steve Blake In Person Meetings discussion: Steve Izzo Recent Delta surge is making return to indoor meetings soon less likely. Options for meeting venue: Craft Center: Easier parking, easier getting in and out, closer to food. But smaller. Visibility of screen is poor. Beyond 10-20 people it is tough to see. NCMNS: Museum has better facilities for streaming. Parking in the surface lot off of…

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes 10 December 2021 Co-chairperson Ann Murphy hosted the online meeting using the Zoom platform. 22 participants Presentation: “Imaging Showcase” led by RAC member/Imaging Group Leader Chris Cole Business Astronomy Days update by Doug Lively January 29-30, 2022 at NC Museum of Natural Sciences. This year’s theme is Venus. Planning for an in-person event. Masks will be required for all staff & volunteers. An associated star party will be held on Saturday February 5 at Prarie Ridge…

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes 12 November 2021 Co-chairperson Mike Keefe hosted the online meeting using the Zoom platform. 29 participants Astronomy Days update by Mike Keefe and Doug Lively January 29-30, 2022 at NC Museum of Natural Sciences. This year’s theme is Venus. Planning for an in-person event. Masks will be required for all staff & volunteers. An associated star party will be held on Saturday February 5 at Prarie Ridge Ecostation. Volunteers needed; request that everyone volunteer for at…

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes 22 October 2021 Co-chairperson Anastasia Vail hosted the online meeting using the Zoom platform. 43 participants Membership Announcement by Anastasia Vail If you join RAC in the fourth quarter of 2021, your new membership carries over through 2022. Presentation: “James Webb Space Telescope: Infrared ‘Eyes’ on the Universe” by Nikolay Nikolov, Space Telescope Science Institute. Business Outreach Committee by Matt Lochansky Outreach event at Dorothea Dix on November 6. Attendees may be capped at 250. Volunteers…

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes 24 September 2021 Co-chairperson Mike Keefe hosted the online meeting using the Zoom platform. 29 participants Presentation: “New Member Orientation” by RAC member Mike Keefe Doug Lively presented information about participating in Astronomy League (AL) programs. Mike Keefe and Steve Izzo discussed observing at Staunton River State Park. The presentation concluded with an “Ask the Astronomer” session where participants asked questions. Business Treasury Report  by Treasurer Steve Izzo. Membership – 369 total 257 single memberships 56…

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes 27 August 2021 Co-chairperson Ann Murphy hosted the online meeting using the Zoom platform. 25 participants Education Committee by Ann Murphy and Phyllis Lang Planning to resume education meetings over Zoom after Labor Day. Will be conducted by Phyllis Lang. Binocular observing will be the first planned class, possibly on Sep. 18. Hope to have outdoor workshops. Looking for additonal instructors and input from the club on class topics. Presentation: “Thou Shalt Not Speak Messier” by…