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July Darkness Data

Darkness Text Report Location: Raleigh, NC Beginning: 01 Jul 2016 Latitude: 35°52’12” N Ending: 31 Jul 2016 Longitude: 78°46’48” W LT/UT: LT Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time Days to Skip: 1 Dow Date AM Tw Sun Rise Sun Set PM Tw Moon Rise Moon Set Phase AM Dark End PM Dark End Fri 01 Jul 04:14a 06:03a 08:35p 10:24p 03:38a 05:42p 14.5% 12:00a 03:38a 10:24p 11:59p Sat 02 Jul 04:15a 06:03a 08:35p 10:24p 04:28a 06:47p 7.3% 12:00a 04:15a 10:24p 11:59p…

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CANCELLED: RACOBS – July 8

Due to expected storms coming through the region between 8-10pm, already soft grounds and high clouds, RACOBS is cancelled for the month. It’s time for RACOBS again, the monthly outdoor meeting of the Raleigh Astronomy Club. We’ll be meeting at our normal spot near Jordan Lake. As always, the event is open to the public, however we do not advertise the location. Please email the club, [email protected] if you would like directions. Sunset should occur at 8:33pm, A waxing crescent…

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Constitutional Amendment [Vote Ended]

At the RAC Indoor meeting on June 23, 2016 a constitutional amendment was motioned, seconded, and the motion was carried on a unanimous vote. The amendment now has to be voted on by the club as a whole. Voting is permitted online – you will see the form below. Voting will be open until July 27, 2016. After that time, votes will be tallied and formally cast (similar to absentee ballots) on July 28, 2016 at the next RAC Indoor…

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RAC Meeting Recap – June 23

Thank you to all who attended the RAC Indoor meeting on June 23. There was no presentation at this meeting as the Ozfest talk was delayed until August. This was an important business meeting primarily to discuss officer elections and future meetings. Constitutional Amendment: A proposed constitutional amendment was discussed, particularly since one of our Co-Chair’s is at his term limit (3 years). Section 5. Limitations of Office‑Holding. No officer shall simultaneously hold more than one elected office. No member…

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June Darkness Data

Darkness Text Report Location: Raleigh, NC Beginning: 01 Jun 2016 Latitude: 35°52’12” N Ending: 30 Jun 2016 Longitude: 78°46’48” W LT/UT: LT Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time Days to Skip: 1 Dow Date AM Tw Sun Rise Sun Set PM Tw Moon Rise Moon Set Phase AM Dark End PM Dark End Wed 01 Jun 04:13a 06:00a 08:27p 10:13p 03:32a 04:34p 21.4% 12:00a 03:32a 10:13p 11:59p Thu 02 Jun 04:13a 06:00a 08:27p 10:14p 04:14a 05:43p 12.6% 12:00a 04:13a 10:14p 11:59p…

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RACOBS – June 10 – Recap

The June RACOBS was June 10. About 10-12 RAC members and a few guests enjoyed a night under the stars. Sunset: 8:31pm Astronomical Twilight: 10:19pm For the most part, the weather was average until later in the eve, when the clouds started to roll in. We just can’t seem to get a break with the weather. Interestingly, it actually got warmer as the night progressed. A bright meteor was seen by many early in the evening. Also the ISS made…

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May Darkness Data

Darkness Text Report Location: Raleigh, NC Beginning: 01 May 2016 Latitude: 35°52’12” N Ending: 31 May 2016 Longitude: 78°46’48” W LT/UT: LT Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time Days to Skip: 1 Dow Date AM Tw Sun Rise Sun Set PM Tw Moon Rise Moon Set Phase AM Dark End PM Dark End Sun 01 May 04:47a 06:22a 08:03p 09:38p 02:58a 02:22p 39.1% 12:00a 02:58a 09:38p 11:59p Mon 02 May 04:45a 06:21a 08:03p 09:40p 03:38a 03:27p 28.5% 12:00a 03:38a 09:40p 11:59p…

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May RACOBS – Recap

We had 3 present af the RACOBS: Quinten Brener – visitor Chris Cole – RAC Co-chairman Me – RAC ALCOR Quinten setup a camera up by The lake while Chris and I set up in the “traditional” spot.   Quintin was there to test out a new Canon DSLR by doing a timelapse.  He did manage to capture a bright meteorite that left a smoky green trail in one of his frames.  He had never seen any planet or deep sky…

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RAC Meeting and Business, May 12, 2016

Chris Cole ran the meeting 14 people signed the roster Mark Lang acting secretary Speaker: Dr. Rachael Smith Topic: Astronomy from the Stratosphere – Observing with EXES on SOFIA Synopsis: The first 30 minutes of Dr. Smith’s talk described her experience on the SOFIA aircraft itself. She took lots of photos and wore a GO-PRO camera and shared her images. She showed how the Boeing 747 was modified to house the 2.5 meter telescope in its own airtight room and…

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March Business Meeting

Co-chairman Mike Mantini hosted the meeting at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, 4th Floor ECC room.  29 members and visitors attended. The evening’s presentation was “Observing Galaxy Evolution at Intermediate Redshifts” by NC State Senior Mia De Los Reyes.  A recording of the talk can be viewed on the RAC YouTube Channel, or directly, here. 1.Co-Chair Phyllis Lang talked about RAC’s ongoing education series at the museum.  On a monthly basis a RAC volunteer delivers a presentation aimed for the general…

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Meeting Minutes 25 Feb 2016

Co-chairman Chris Cole hosted the meeting. 31 members and visitors attended. The evening’s presentation was “Binary Stars” by club member Jim DellaPenna. The talk was streamed live and recorded for YouTube, and it was very well received by attendees. 1. Club elections are coming up. We will need to elect 3 new Co-chairpersons and a new Secretary. Our current Treasurer (Steve Izzo) plans to run again. Please contact an officer at [email protected] if you have questions about fulfilling any of these…

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In Memoriam: Gerald F. Watson II

22 May 1937- 28 January 2016 The Raleigh Astronomy Club lost a long time member and contributor on January 28, 2016. Born and raised in Erie Pennsylvania, Jerry obtained his Bachelor of Science in meteorology at Pennsylvania State University in 1959 and continued his meteorological studies earning a Master of Science degree from The University of Chicago in 1962 and a Ph. D. from Florida State University in 1971. He joined the faculty at North Carolina State University in 1972…

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Astronomy Days 2016

The Raleigh Astronomy Club and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences hosts Astronomy Days 2016 on Saturday and Sunday, January 30-31, 2016. This years event was very successful with over 15,800 visitors coming out to learn about space and astronomy.

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Posting to RAC Social Media (Officers)

When creating a post, and officer/committee head/admin can trigger the contents of the post to be posted to some or all of the RAC Social Media sites. This includes: Facebook Twitter Google+ When using this function please note that it will only post the FIRST time the article is published. Changes after the first time will not be pushed out to Social Media. Also, it is good idea to keep social media posts very short and concise. In order to…

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