RAC Astronomy Outreach – Raleigh Astronomy Club

Observe the Sky with Us!

The Raleigh Astronomy Club is dedicated to promoting astronomy in the Raleigh, North Carolina area, including surrounding communities. We do this through a range of different formats including public observing events, customized outreach events for groups (schools, scouts, camps, etc), classes and clinics, and other special events such as Astronomy Days and the Statewide Star Party.

If you are looking to contact the club to have us come out to your event, please 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 website calendar and facebook/twitter accounts 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 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.

If you have been to our public session and looking for more information on the hobby, our monthly RACOBS meeting may meet your needs.

Special Events (Schools, Scouts, Libraries, Museums, etc…):

Volunteers from RAC are often requested to give a presentation or have an observing session for a group. We accommodate as many requests as possible. If your event has a strong astronomy component, please go to our outreach request form to send 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 filling 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 and clinics 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

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]