East Coast Star Party and Scout Camp Observing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Food is an essential component of the East Coast Star Party

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

East Coast Star Party: The East Coast Star Party is scheduled for June 2 – 4 near Coinjock, NC at the Hampton Lodge Camping Resort, approximately 45 miles south of the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area. To reach the site from this area, drive south on US 158, cross the Joseph Palmer Knapp Bridge at Coinjock. Turn left at the foot of bridge toward Waterlilly. The campground is approximately 7 miles down Waterlilly Road – look for the “Telescopes” sign.

There is no need to register ahead of time, but if you need additional information, the campground number is 252-453-2732 or you can contact Kent Blackwell, who organizes the party, at kent@exis.net.  Be sure to congratulate Kent on his recent article in Sky and Telescope – maybe you can get his autograph if you can get past the paparazzi!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Observing at the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RAS Observing at the Scout Camp in Goochland – June 4:  Thanks to Tim Streagle, ranger at the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation in Goochland, there are several observing sessions for RAS members and friends scheduled for the dates listed below.  For those that have not been to the camp, directions are also below. If you decide to bring a personal water filter, please choose Sawyer Squeeze or Mini as they are preferred.  The location is very convenient with dark skies and excellent facilities. Note that the next observing session is scheduled for June 4.  So, if you can’t make it to the East Coast Star Party, please join us at the scout camp.

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RAS Observing Session Dates:

  • June 4
  • July 2
  • Aug 27
  • Sep 24
  • Oct 29
  • Nov. 18-19 (Central Va Family Stargaze, star party hosted by the Scout Reservation, open to the public)
  • Dec. 17
Directions to the camp are here.  Once you enter the reservation, take an immediate right turn into the Cub Adventure Camp, drive about 0.1 mile and turn right at a brown sign with a picture of a telescope on it. The observing field is at the top of the hill.  Please note that anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian in order to comply with camp rules.

 

Upcoming RAS events:

  • Next regular RAS meeting – June 14
  • Science Museum SkyDay Night (special evening event with a skywatch) – July 15
  • Science Museum – live chat with NASA astronauts from the Space Station – August 18
  • Skyday Night activities will be indoors and Skywatch outside.  Should be larger than average crowds for Skywatches associated with the SkyDay Night Event.

 

John Raymond at NEAF

RAS represented at NEAF: Several RAS members went to this year’s Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) in April. Astro-Physics has posted some scrapbook images which prominently display our own John Raymond (in yellow) who was supporting the solar viewing session.

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Astronomy.FM:  If you are not already familiar with Astronomy.FM, it is very much worth checking out.  Astronomy.FM is an online astronomy community focused around a 24/7 broadcast of astronomy and space science news and information.  They rebroadcast a number of excellent podcasts as well as produce their own shows.  You can find Astronomy.FM here.  The folks that do this work are all volunteers and they could use our support for a great service that they provide to the amateur astronomy community.

 

Rod Mollise has entertained us once again with a great recap of the history of “go-to” telescopes and the long-running and sometimes spirited debate among amateur astronomers as to the advantages and desirability (or not) of go-to systems.  You can find Uncle Rod’s Astroblog here.

 

Regards,

Jim Browder
Richmond Astronomical Society