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…
Since joining the Raleigh Astronomy Club in late 2006, I have grown increasingly more involved in Astronomy outreach. I find sharing my knowledge of Astronomy, the night skies and celestial observing to be quite rewarding as well as very enjoyable. While on vacation just a few weeks ago I came across a small plaque for sale at a gift shop, it said “A night under the stars calms the soul.” To a certain extent it is that sentiment that drives…
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).
This is pretty interesting illustration by Randall Munroe of how much solid surface there is in our solar system. As best as I can guess the illustration includes the solid surface under liquid bodies. You can read more at http://io9.com/a-map-showing-all-the-solar-systems-solid-surfaces-stit-1598999931, a post by George Dvorsky.
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.
For the May indoor meeting, RAC member Chris Cole had a very interesting presentation on the different planetary filters and their uses. The presentation used images (from both Chris’ personal collection and NASA) to compare the effects of various filters including colored wratten, UV, and IR filters. He also discussed what types of objects and conditions benefited from using these filters. Chris Cole had many of the filters he talked about and he demonstrated them to the audience. There were…
On Saturday, April 26, several astronomers from RAC and CHAOS traveled down to Camp Durant near Carthage, NC to support the Cub-aroo event for the Boy Scouts of America. The event including day and night time observing, as well as lectures. There were five astronomers for solar observing and lecturing, and three astronomers for night time observing. Despite being plagued with clouds, some good views of the Mars and Jupiter.
On Friday, April 26, RAC astronomers presented an observing session as part of an astronomical program for Girl Scouts at Camp Mary Atkinson, located outside Clayton NC. We had about 45 girls from all over eastern North Carolina and 4 volunteer astronomers, Frederic Fogg, Michael Mantini, John Nigro, and Clay Coor. The girls divided into 2 shifts of about 22 girls each, and each shift of girls spent about an hour at the telescopes.
