RAC

We had a nice turn out for RAC’s November 9th RACOBS, approximately 20 or so members and about 8 guests were present at one time or another.  The skies were very clear and the seeing was quite steady.  However dew was a factor later in the observing session.  The last of us packed up and headed home about 1:30am.

Observing conditions were excellent at this year’s Staunton River Star Party. Many RAC members stayed for the entire event and even more stayed for several days of cool, clear observing weather. As usual, the facilities were very good and the skies dark with the Milky Way seen horizon to horizon

The weather forecast for this month’s RACOBS was truly puzzling. Various club members collaborated throughout the day questioning the suitability of the weather for observing. Late in the day, most parties agreed that observing conditions would likely be decent, but not excellent. The decision to hold RACOBS turned out to be a good one. The gate was opened at 7:30pm for 4 waiting carloads of astronomers and equipment. Several more joined us over the next few hours.

This was a good talk by our co-chair Ian Hewitt. We also tried out a new venue at the Daily Planet Cafe. So you could enjoy the talk and dinner as well. The talk began with a history of how Pluto was discovered.  It was discovered in 1939 in the Lowell Observatory.  It was named after the Mythical God of the Underworld, not the dog.

This month’s meeting featured  “Astrobiology – The Search for Alien Life” by Dr. Mike Malaska In order to understand how to find life beyond the Earth, Mike began his presentation with a review of how life formed on Earth.  The questions “What is life?” and “When did life begin?” were addressed.  Mike explained that life is chemistry and life began on earth 3.8 billion years ago.  Life started from water and small organic molecules. The talked then focused on bacteria…