RAC – Raleigh Astronomy Club

RAC Outreach Committee Report – January 2026

(Submitted 2026-02-07) Recent events: January 3 – First Fridays Saturdays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor) Canceled due to weather forecast. January 15 – Museum of Life and Science Teen Science Club (Durham) Coordinator/presenter: Tony V Recap: Tony V – Last night I presented “How to Become an Amateur Astronomer” to the teen club at the Durham Museum of Life and Science. We began with hands-on planisphere exercises, giving students a chance to experience a traditional star chart–without their…

2026-01-09 RAC Indoor Meeting

Club Reports

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes Date: January 9, 2026 Co-Chair: Dana Bostic On-going Action Item: Need comments from club members about any updates to web pages or if a webpage is obsolete and needs to be deleted. See Webmaster Report for more details. Action Item: 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…

RAC Outreach Committee Report – December 2025

General Interest, Public Outreach

(Submitted 2025-12-31) Recent events: December 3 – The Willard Rooftop (Raleigh) Coordinator: Steve B Volunteers: Blair, Chris, Mike, and Steve B Recap: Steve B – It was a mostly clear night tonight except for the cloud of hamburger-flavored smoke from Char Grill next door, but we had approximately 25 people stop by to observe the Moon, Saturn, Jupiter, the Pleiades, and M41. We were just a few miles from the path of the Moon/Pleiades occultation and hence missed it. Despite…

2025-12-12 RAC Indoor Meeting

Club Reports

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes Date: December 12, 2025 Co-Chair: Dana Bostic On-going Action Item: Need comments from club members about any updates to web pages or if a webpage is obsolete and needs to be deleted. See Webmaster Report for more details. Action Item: Astronomy Days Registration Has Begun (raleighastro.org) – Go to the Calendar and register for your shift(s). Deadline for volunteer sign-up: Jan. 2nd Action Item: The Outreach Committee is looking for volunteers to coordinate events and assist at…

Canceling Your Membership

RAC Member Help

There comes a time where it may be time to part ways; no hard feelings. It is especially important to cancel your membership if you previously set up auto-renewing annual dues payments. The club does not offer refunds for partial years nor can it refund membership dues that were paid prior to you cancelling your membership. To cancel your membership: 1. Log into the website at https://raleighastro.org/. If you cannot remember your password, follow our guide for resetting your password.…

Renewing Your Membership

RAC Member Help

RAC offers two convenient payment methods for your annual dues payment. You can pay your dues using a credit card through our website, or pay by cash or check. To pay by cash or check: Contact our club treasurer by emailing [email protected] to arrange your cash or check payment. To pay by credit card: Our website has two payment options: An ‘Annual Membership’ and an auto-pay ‘Recurring Annual Membership’ At any time you can update your RAC website account to…

RAC Outreach Committee Report – November 2025

General Interest, Public Outreach

(Updated 2025-12-01) Recent events: November 7 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor) Coordinator: Naveen Volunteers: Naveen, Blair, Jesus, Kimberly, Jim, Al, Benjamin, Patrick, Marshall, Ayyavoo November 13 – The Hartwell (Raleigh) Coordinator: Steve B Volunteers: Steve B, Mike, Jesus Recap: Steve B – We had about 30 people stop by the rooftop deck at The Hartwell to skywatch. Light pollution is severe at this site but we were able to view Saturn, Uranus, the Pleiades, and…

RAC Meeting Minutes – November 14, 2025

Club Reports

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes Date: November 14, 2025 Co-Chair: Blair Groden hosted the meeting which was held at the NCMNS in Raleigh. On-going Action Item: Need comments from club members about any updates to web pages or if a webpage is obsolete and needs to be deleted. See Webmaster Report for more details. Important Announcement: The room will change due to the elevator being repaired. Be on the lookout for a room change. Meeting Presentation: Meeting Topic: Indoor Meeting: David Shives…

RAC Outreach Committee Report – October 2025

General Interest, Public Outreach

(Updated 2025-11-09) Recent events: October 3 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor) Coordinator: Ana V October 4 – International Observe the Moon Night – Dillard Drive MS (Raleigh) Coordinator: Steve B Volunteers: Doug, Blair, Chris, Barton, and Steve B Recap: Steve B – RAC along with the NC Museum of Natural Sciences hosted an International Observe the Moon Night event at Dillard Drive Middle School tonight. About ~70 kids and parents got an opportunity to observe…

Meeting Minutes – October 10, 2025

Club Reports

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes Date: October 10, 2025 Co-Chair: Susan Herring hosted the meeting which was held at the NCMNS in Raleigh. Action Item: Need comments from club members about any updates to web pages or if a webpage is obsolete and needs to be deleted. See Webmaster Report for more details. Important Announcement: The room will change due to the elevator being repaired. Be on the lookout for a room change. Meeting Presentation: Meeting Topic:“Glacier National Park After Dark:…

RAC Outreach Committee Report – September 2025

General Interest, Public Outreach

(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…

RAC Outreach Committee Report – August 2025

General Interest, Public Outreach

(Updated 2025-09-06) Recent events: August 16 – Perseid Meteors at Howell Woods (Four Oaks) Coordinator: Dana Volunteers: Dana, Marshall, Ollin, Blair, Steve B Recap: Steve B – Well, I think we saw a total of one meteor last night. Humidity was > 85% and everything dewed up by 10:00PM, but despite that the Milky Way was visible to the naked eye and we were able to get good views of M13, M7, and a few nebula. About 30 people who…

Meeting Minutes August 15, 2025

Club Reports

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes August 15, 2025 Co-Chair Susan Herring hosted the meeting which was held at the NCMNS in Raleigh. Link to outreach committee report for August. https://raleighastro.org/blog/2025/07/31/rac-outreach-committee-report-july-2025/ Recent events: July 12 – Second Saturday with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor) Canceled due to weather forecast July 26 – Stargazing on Tap Star Party (Cameron) Coordinator: Dana Volunteers: Susan, Dean, Dana, Blair, Alan, Yvonne Recap: 45+ people attended Press coverage: Lee: Raleigh astronomers delight daytime stargazers at James Creek Cider House August 1…

Meeting Minutes July 11, 2025

Club Reports

RAC Indoor Meeting Minutes July 11, 2025 Co-Chair Dana Bostic hosted the meeting which was held at the NCMNS in Raleigh. Thank you to everyone who came early for the pre-meeting social. A good time of fellowship was had by all and plans are underway for the next one! Upcoming Events: July 12 – 3BA – CANCELLED July 26 – Stargazing on Tap Star Party (Cameron) Coordinator: Steve B Volunteers registered: solar telescopes: 4/5 floaters: 1/3 August 1 – First…

RAC Outreach Committee Report – July 2025

General Interest, Public Outreach

(Updated 2025-07-31) Recent events: July 12 – Second Saturday with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor) Canceled due to weather forecast July 26 – Stargazing on Tap Star Party (Cameron) Coordinator: Dana Volunteers: Susan, Dean, Dana, Blair, Alan, Yvonne Recap: 45+ people attended Press coverage: Lee: Raleigh astronomers delight daytime stargazers at James Creek Cider House Upcoming events: August 1 – First Fridays with TLC at Three Bear Acres (Creedmoor) Coordinator: Ana V Volunteers registered: telescopes: 4/15 floaters: 2/5 August…