The annual meeting of the Virginia Association of Astronomical Societies will be held this year on the campus of Roanoke College in the Colket Center (221 College Lane, Salem, VA) on October 9 from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM with evening observing opportunities. More information is at:
Month: September 2010
RAS Fall Picnic and a Busy October Coming Up
Many many thanks! Our volunteers put forth a huge amount of time and effort to coordinate and support our many outreach events and skywatches as well as moving and organizing our library books, caring for our observatory and taking care of the club’s business and other activities. I cannot begin to thank everyone properly. It … Read more
A great night at City Point
RAS had three telescopes at the latest skywatch for the Petersburg National Battlefield Park Service at City Point in Hopewell. And it’s a good thing we had as many scopes as we did, because we were surprised by a sizable group of scouts that had come for a rocket and astronomy activity earlier in the day. With parents, we probably had 100-125 viewers in attendance.
August 2010 Board Meeting Minutes
RAS Board Meeting August 16, 2010 President Jim Browder called the meeting to order at 7:01pm. Attendees (8): Jim Browder, President David Medici, Vice President Jim Blowers, Treasurer Chris McCann, Secretary Ken Wilson Prashant Reddy Bill Jeffries Tim Streagle Secretary’s report given by Chris McCann May’s board meeting minutes were distributed, discussed, and accepted. … Read more
August Meeting Minutes
Richmond Astronomical Society
731st Consecutive Meeting
August 10, 2010
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Jim Browder called our meeting to order in the Eureka room.
Greeting & Announcements – approximately 25 in attendance at the meeting.
Please check the link to our RAS blog: http://richastro.org/index.php/category/blog/
Thanks to the many email responses who were willing to help with the telescope training for the Midlothian family.
There is a new link on the RAS website about a girl named Sydney, who asked her dad Mark (one of our members) if they could build a telescope. They are doing that and have set up a web site, http://mysite.verizon.net/mhmabry/Crimson/Telescope.html , to chronicle their adventure and their progress. Mark has also set up an email address for comments/suggestions: sydney.telescope.blog@gmail.com. It looks like they are going to have loads of fun with this project and have already made a lot of progress. We look forward to the next update. Be sure to stop by their blog and say hello.
Share table:
Photographs taken by a member; Televue eyepieces; and a lost water bottle from the July meeting
Past Events:
The Science Museum Skyday Night event on July 16th was very successful. Approximately 400 people attended the event which included the RAS skywatch. Several of the RAS members were there to help, including Gary, Jim Browder, Cal, and Alan. I apologize if I left others out.
Several members mentioned that they had been observing and has viewed several objects, including Jupiter and solar observing using a SunGun.
Upcoming Events:
Perseid meteor shower peaks this coming Thursday night/Friday morning (10/12-13)
Please contact John Raymond at raymond7419@verizon.net if you can help with any of these events:
- Bryan Park Meteor Watch – August 12, 8:00 PM.
- Skywatch at the Montpelier Center – August 13, 7:30 PM. For directions and information see http://www.montpeliercenter.org/.
- Battersea Foundation (Petersburg) Skywatch – August 26, 8:00 PM For directions and information see http://www.batterseafound.org.
- Dinwiddie on Sept 4.
- Scotchtown in Hanover County on Friday, Sept 24
Science Museum Skywatch / LiveSky show – August 20. LiveSky will be held at 6:00pm. Please sign up if you can bring a scope.
An open house is scheduled for Wednesday, August 18th at the Ragland Observatory Open House, weather permitting. Watch the Richastro Yahoo group for updates.
A job opening was found through Cornell University, for a telescope pointer at Arecibo. Anyone interested?
VAAS: October 9 at Roanoke College. More information later.
Dues announcement:
Annual dues are due and should be given to Jim Blowers. Membership is $30. Observatory memberships and magazine subscriptions increase the amount.
Payment can be made by PayPal at http://richastro.org/ras_payments.htm
Observatory Report (John Barnett):
John Barnett has asked Chris McCann to hosting an open house for members and guests on Wednesday, August 18th at 8:30pm. Weather advisory and a reminder will be emailed to all members.
Thanks to Reed and Dave for cutting the grass in July.
Contact Jim Blowers to update your email address if it has changed.
July Meeting Minutes
Richmond Astronomical Society 730th Consecutive Meeting July 13, 2010 —– Jim Browder called our meeting to order in the Eureka room. Greeting & Announcements – approximately 25 in attendance at the meeting. Please check the link to our RAS blog: http://richastro.org/index.php/category/blog/ Share table: There were several items for sale, including a few eyepieces by John … Read more
News About the Dark Skies, Bright Kids Program
A couple of months ago, several very dedicated graduate students from UVA presented at our monthly Richmond Astronomical Society meeting about the “Dark Skies, Bright Kids” program they are sponsoring in Charlottesville. The program enhances science education at rural schools. The graduate students have put a great deal of their personal time and effort into … Read more