On Monday, 9/8, sunspot AR2158 got a bit unruly and erupted in not one, but two solar flares directed toward Earth. The first flare was a moderately powerful M4.6 class solar flare. But AR2158 was just getting “warmed up”, so to speak, and let rip with a much more powerful X1.6 class solar flare on Wednesday. These flares stream off a tremendous amount of hot gas and charged particles that are called a coronal mass ejection (CME). Images of this flare and the…
Astronomical Observing Awards Astronomical League observing awards were presented to: Doug Lively and Brian Reasor. Congratulations to both! Public Observing and Events
Despite some cloudy skies, the NC Museum of Art, RAC and the Morehead Planetarium held a stargazing event, Friday August 15th, on the museum’s park grounds. Over 250 people attended and patiently awaited breaks in cloud cover to tour the night sky.
Club member Mike Keefe gave a great talk on smartphone and tablet apps that can help you with your observing. The audience had plenty of questions and feedback based upon their own experiences with these apps. About 20 apps were covered spanning the following areas: planetarium/charts, planning tools, general info tools and weather. Most of the apps are free or inexpensive. Mike gave an overview of each app, cost, supported operating system and features. This meeting was streamed live and…
June 25, 2014 Attended: Ian Hewitt, Mike Keefe, Chris Cole, Ann Murphy, Chuck Jaynes, Brian Reasor, Danny Marbell, Jr.
On Thursday night, July 24, RAC participated in the NC Museum of Natural Sciences Title 1 School Night program. Over a hundred guests interacted with our exhibits in the NRC lobby. Club members set up binocular and telescope stations along with hi-res images of the moon that visitors enjoyed viewing. Frank W, Doug L and Daniel K answered lots of questions and kids enjoyed getting glow sticks for viewing the moon.
Friday July 25 was the club’s monthly observing session (RACOBS). Clouds dominated the skies most of the day on Friday but skies cleared just after sunset and stayed clear until well after 2:30 AM when the last of the observers packed up for the night. We had approximately 12 to 15 members in attendance and 20 or so guests including cub scouts from several different local packs. It was great to see kids get excited about astronomy.
For our July imaging meeting, there was considerable interest in the new Quark h-alpha solar filter by Daystar and it’s possibilities, not just for solar imaging, but for visual observing as well. The discussion began with Phyllis Lang showing her new Quark Daystar h-alpha filter and explaining it’s specifications and performance. Input was given by others in attendance with how it would be comparable to other brands of expensive h-alpha solar scopes on the market today. Next, images by our…
Elections The business portion of the meeting covered recent club officer elections. Mike Keefe and Chris COle are returning as club co-chairs. Ian Hewitt is stepping down after many years of outstanding service as a RAC co-chair. Brian Reasor is elected to his co-chair position. Ann Murphy returns as RAC Secretary, and Chuck Jaynes is stepping down after several years as RAC Treasurer with Danny Marbell elected as the new Treasurer. The club thanks Chuck for his able service as…
The presentation for the July meeting was an overview of Exoplanets given by club member Brian Reasor. The slide-talk and video pulled together Exoplanet topics such as how many are known to exist (1700+) and where they are located (mostly within 500 light years of our sun).
Elections The new officers were voted in. Here is the tally of votes. Co-Chairs – Chris Cole, Mike Keefe, Brian Reasor 15 Yes votes at the meeting, 14 Yes votes on line, 29 Total Yes votes Treasurer – Danny Marbell 15 Yes votes at the meeting, 14 Yes votes on line, 29 Total Yes votes Secretary – Ann Murphy 15 Yes votes at the meeting, 14 Yes votes on line, 29 Total Yes votes
Several Raleigh Astronomy Club members supported the International Sun-Day events at the North of Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. At the start of the event (12 noon) the weather was not at all cooperative with almost 100% cloud cover. However holes in the clouds began to appear by 2pm and by 3pm we started to get some solar observing in. The sun was somewhat quite today without a lot of activity / sun spots. By around 3:30 we were able…
Mark Lang and Phyllis Lang gave an excellent presentation on two astronomical conventions. The first was NEAF (North Eastern Astronomy Forum). This was held in Rockland Community College in Suffern, NY on April 12 and 13 of this year. It was organized this year by the Rockland Astronomy Club (RAC). There were many vendors selling all sorts of astronomy equipment. Phyllis sells astronomy planning software and had a booth. The event itself had many good speakers and presenters as well. …
February 24, 2014 Attended: Ian Hewitt, Mike Keefe, Chris Cole, Ann Murphy, Chuck Jaynes
Public Events Statewide Star Party – Part of the NC Science Festival – 4/4 – 4/5 This was a big success. The 4/4 day was cancelled, due to weather. Annie Wilkerson Nature Preserve could not make up the day on 4/5. This will be made up in the fall. Prairie Ridge and Howell Woods were able to have the Star Party. There was at least 100 people at the Howell Woods location.
