Events

Staunton River State Park has been formally designated as a Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Skies Association.  Read the press release here.  Many congratulations and thanks to Staunton River State Park and the Chapel Hill Astronomy Club for making this happen (particularly Adam Layman, Park Manager and Jayme Hanzak, Chapel Hill Club President)!

The New Horizons spacecraft has reached Pluto and is transmitting data back to Earth.  This is an outstanding achievement.  Because of the distance to Pluto, it will take some time to receive all of the data collected during the flyby.  More information from NASA is here.

Ever been to a star party?  They’re great.  A star party is usually a multi-day event in a dark sky location that immerses participants in a sea of telescopes and astronomy enthusiasts.  participants often camp near their equipment or stay in nearby lodging.  One of the best in the eastern US is the Green Bank … Read more

Please join us at the Science Museum of Virginia for International Astronomy Day on Saturday, April 25 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.  There will be special activities at the Museum including solar observing (weather permitting) planetarium shows, informative displays and water rocket launches.  Please join us if you can.

RAS and Francis Emma Inc. will host a skywatch and a talk at Belmead on the James in Powhatan.  We will hear about the famous Messier objects cataloged by Charles Messier which represent some of the most spectacular deep sky objects visible in the night sky.  Astronomers and visitors are welcome to set up their … Read more

RAS and Francis Emma Inc. will host a skywatch and a talk at Belmead on the James in Powhatan.  Astronomers and visitors are welcome to set up their telescopes in the paved area near the mansion and observe as long as they like, but no telescope is required, just an interest in the night sky.  … Read more

Solar eclipse tomorrow afternoon-Warning: Don’t stare. Even at maximum eclipse, a sliver of sun peeking out from behind the Moon can still cause pain and eye damage. Direct viewing should only be attempted with the aid of a safe solar filter. More info here, including how to see multiple images with your fingers. http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2014/17oct_sunseteclipse/

At the Fall picnic we were treated to great food, marvelous company and some extremely comfortable temperatures along with beautiful views in the afternoon.  Clouds prevented astronomical observing until about 11:00 PM when they parted and offered a beautiful, clear, dark sky.  Many, many thanks to all of our members, friends and guests who attended … Read more

RAS member Bryan Hartley captured some great images of the lunar eclipse in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.  Enjoy! Thanks to Bryan for sharing his images!  

John Goss, president of the Astronomical League, found an item in a 1950 issue of the Astronomical League’s magazine, The Reflector.  The news item welcomes the Richmond Astronomical Society into the League!  Image below courtesy of John Goss.  For more information about the Astronomical League and the benefits it offers, visit http://www.astroleague.org/.  Membership in the … Read more