Observe the Sky with Us!
If you are looking to contact the club to have us come out to your event, please review and fill out our Outreach Request Form. We are volunteers, so please give us a few days to respond. If you do not hear from us, send an email to the club, [email protected].
Public Observing:
First Fridays Under the Stars with TLC
Organized with the Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) is proud to bring a monthly star party to the Triangle each First Friday (rain date is the first Saturday). Everyone is welcome to attend, including small groups. The event is held in northern Wake County. To attend as a guest (not a RAC volunteer), registration is required via TLC’s event calendar.
Other Public Events
Keep an eye on our Club Calendar and Facebook/Twitter accounts, or check out our Public Observing page to see where RAC will be. Some events require registration, but many do not. The events are typically free and we provide the telescopes and experience to know what to point them at! Depending on what’s up, we show off planets, star clusters, nebulae, galaxies, and more. We just ask that children are monitored and that white lights (e.g. flashlights) be kept to a minimum to enjoy the darkness and let our eyes adapt to get the most from the night sky.
There are almost always a range of events during the Statewide Star Party each April (part of the NC Science Festival). We have also been planning events at Dorothea Dix a couple times per year.
Special Events (Schools, Libraries, Museums, Scouts, etc…):
Volunteers from RAC are often requested to give a presentation or have an observing session for a group. We evaluate each request based on volunteer availability, event site location, and whether the goals of the event can be satisfied by one of our public observing sessions. If your event has a strong astronomy component and is either open to the general public, or if the group has an educational focus, please go to our Outreach Request Form to submit the information we need to consider your request.
Astronomy Days:
Each January, along with the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, the Raleigh Astronomy Club presents Astronomy Days. Two days of astronomy focused activities fill the museum. Volunteers from RAC staff about a dozen exhibits including astrophotography, telescopes on display, exoplanets, solar observing, and more. There is something for everyone at Astronomy Days!
Classes and Clinics: We are proud to host several free classes to help individuals and families get started in astronomy, understand how to use the equipment they already own or may be considering for purchase and even get started in astro-imaging. RAC offers the following classes. Click the link for more info about the class
- Introduction To Astronomy
- Astronomy With Binoculars
- Getting Your Kids Started in Astronomy
- Beginning Astrophotography – Part 1
- Beginning Astrophotography – Part 2
RAC also offers telescope clinics where an experienced telescope user can show you how to set up, use, and care for your telescope.
Want More? All meetings are open to the public. We have monthly indoor meetings, RACOBS observing sessions (per acceptable weather) as well as special interest group meetings. Topics can range from observational astronomy, to member demonstrations, history, to astrophysics. If you need info, email the club at [email protected]
