Richmond Astronomical Society

728th Consecutive Meeting

May 11, 2010

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Jim Browder called our meeting to order in the Eureka room.

Greeting & Announcements – approximately 31 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 telescope, a few eyepieces by John Raymond.

There were a few free magazines and photos for anyone to look at.

Past Events:

Astronomy Day was a big success!!!!

Thanks to all members and everyone else who participated and made this another successful Astronomy Day for RAS.  Unfortunately, the clouds settled in and disrupted any solar observing that we were planning.  It appeared all attendees were enjoying themselves and really interested in all aspects of our Astronomy displays.

Science Museum Skywatch
Skywatch at Woodlake
Individual observing

Upcoming Events:

The next Science Museum Skywatch/LiveSky show is May 21.  Please sign-up if you are available to attend and bring a scope.
East Coast Star Party – May 14-15, Coinjock, NC   Expect a review of the party at the next meeting.
Skywatch at Moore Middle School, May 25, 8:30 PM (rain date is May 27, see Richastro calendar). 11455 Prince George Dr., Disputanta 23842.  Contact John Raymond at raymond7419@verizon.net if you can help.

Stargazing at City Point May 29, 8:00 PM
City Point Unit, Petersburg Nat’l Battlefield, 1001 Pecan Avenue, Hopewell, VA (see Richastro calendar).  Contact John Raymond at raymond7419@verizon.net if you can help.

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 will be hosting an open house for members and guests on Wednesday, June 16th at 8:30pm.  On the 15^th, he will email a weather advisory and a reminder to all members. Contact Jim Blowers to update yours if it has changed.

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Richmond Astronomical Society

727th Consecutive Meeting

April 13, 2010

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Jim Browder called our meeting to order in the Eureka room.

Greeting & Announcements – approximately 38 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 telescope, a few eyepieces by John Raymond, and a newly purchased telescope and stand by David Medici.

Cal had an interesting planetary chart depicting the relative positions of the planets to the sun, throughout the year.  There were a few free magazines for any interested members.  I did not get to see them, but someone brought a few photos they had taken through their telescope.

Past Events:

Thanks to everyone who helped out with the last Skywatch at the Science Museum on Friday, March 19.  The event was well attended.  There was an estimated crowd of over 150.   Observed objects included Saturn, Mars, and Orion.

Yuri’s Night at the Westover Hills Library was a success with over 200 people.  There was a great turnout with observations made of Orion, Saturn, and Mars.

Metro Richmond Science Fair at Powhatan High – Terry Barker presented cash prizes for 4 good Astronomy projects:

1. Justin Lau, The Effect of Solar Wind Speed on the Strength of Geomagnetic Substorms.
2. Isaac Steincamp, Celestial Motion: The Difference Between Stellar and Planetary Motion.
3. Anisha Rohatgi, The Effect of Distance of the Light Source on the Intensity of Skyglow.
4. Zachary and Benjamin Terner, The Effects of Coronal Mass Ejection on Muon Event Frequency at a Local High School.

Several members volunteered their adventures into their individual observing.  A few mentioned they had observed the Mercury/Venus conjunction, and others had been out to Big Meadows for some dark skies.  One member announced they had been to the Powhatan observing site and was approached by someone saying he was the one who got the site started at Powhatan.

The March 26^th Skywatch at Scotchtown was rained out.  There are 2 more scheduled for later in the fall of 2010.  Contact John Raymond at raymond7419@verizon.net if you can help.

Upcoming Events:

The next RAS/SMV LiveSky and skywatch is scheduled for Friday April 16.  LiveSky starts at 6pm, while the skywatch will start shortly after sunset.  Expect a report on the blog page.

Astronomy Day 2010 is planned for April 24 at the Science Museum.  Final plans and the corresponding personnel were announced for door prizes, greeter table, meteorite exhibit, brochures, night sky photography, International Dark Sky Society (Laura Graham), space suit demo, bottle rocket launcher, solar telescopes, radio telescope, making sundials, a starlab planetarium, a scale model of the solar system, and a 2pm presentation by Anne Verbiscer in the forum!  Due to other plans at the SMV, no skywatch will be held for this year’s Astronomy Day. 

Stargazing at FiveForks on April 24 at 8pm.

Skywatch at Woodlake on April 30 at 7:30pm. Contact John Raymond if interested in helping.

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 will be hosting an open house at the RAS Ragland Observatory on April 28, starting at 8:00 PM.  The waxing gibbous moon will be visible during the early evening, and Saturn will be visible.

The property fence around the RAS observatory is expected to be completed by the Hercules Fencing company before the open house.

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Richmond Astronomical Society

726th Consecutive Meeting

March 9, 2010

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Jim Browder called our meeting to order in the Eureka room.

Greeting & Announcements – approximately 29 in attendance at the meeting.

Please check the link to our RAS blog: http://richastro.org/index.php/category/blog/

Share table:

Several articles about the Moon and about the recent Mars approach, were available for reading.

Several eyepieces were also there for examining and also purchasing.  There was also donated telescope hardware, free to a good home.  Most was gone before I got a chance to see it.

There was an announcement about an annual public study involving dark sky measurements.  This year was from March 3-16. The following description was taken from  www.globeatnight.org :

GLOBE at Night is an annual 2-week campaign in March. People all over the world record the brightness of their night sky by matching its appearance toward the constellation Orion with star maps of progressively fainter stars. They submit their measurements on-line and a few weeks later, organizers release a map of light-pollution levels worldwide. Over the last four GLOBE at Night campaigns, volunteers from over 100 nations have contributed 35,000 measurements.

If you missed it, keep it in mind for next year.

Reminder:  In a recent meeting, Ottewell Astronomical Calendars were on display. RAS members can purchase the Ottewell Astronomical Calendar through a special website,  www.Universalworkshop.com/clubs.htm , or call 800-533-5083. 

It claims the sale price of $19.95 expires on December 31, 2009, but still displays it.  Give it a try.  If not, the regular price is $26.95.

Past Events:

Thanks to everyone who helped out with the last Skywatch at the Science Museum on Friday, February 19.  The event was well attended as was the January skywatch.  At one point, there were 10 telescopes and 1 pair of binoculars, for use with the crowd of an estimated 150.  

“A great night” was had by all at a recent skywatch at Brandermill.  The estimated 40 people enjoyed the views through the telescopes.

Bill Jeffries was telling us about an extremely clear night on the Duck River about a month ago.  The rough thing about the night was a 24 degree temperature reading.

Upcoming Events:

Outreach events: On Friday, March 26^th, RAS will have a skywatch at Scotchtown in Hanover County.  You may recognize Scotchtown as the Hanover County home of Patrick Henry.  It is scheduled to start at 7:30pm.  There are 2 more scheduled for later in the fall of 2010.  Contact John Raymond at raymond7419@verizon.net if you can help.

Astronomy Day 2010 is planned for April 24 at the Science Museum.  We are looking for volunteers to help with the activities.  We are also considering alternate plans for this year’s skywatch.  There are 2 proms scheduled at SMV on the night of our Astronomy Day.  Therefore, we need to move the skywatch to a different location, or possibly a night earlier to Friday night, the 23rd.  More information will be available later.  Probable activities for that day include solar observing through telescopes, making sundials, dark sky information, CCD astro-imaging, a starlab planetarium, a scale model of the solar system, radio telescopes information, light pollution education, a meteorite exhibit, door prizes, a life-like space suit, and the ever-popular soda bottle rocket launch!

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Richmond Astronomical Society

725th Consecutive Meeting

February 9, 2010

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Jim Browder called our meeting to order.

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:

Several magazines and articles were available for reading.

Several eyepieces were also there for examining and also purchasing.

Reminder:  In a recent meeting, Ottewell Astronomical Calendars were on display. RAS members can purchase the Ottewell Astronomical Calendar through a special website,  www.Universalworkshop.com/clubs.htm , or call 800-533-5083. 

It claims the sale price of $19.95 expires on December 31, 2009, but still displays it.  Give it a try.  If not, the regular price is $26.95

Upcoming Events:

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

Please check the calendar on the RAS website, http://richastro.org/index.php/calendar/  for upcoming skywatches.

The RAS skywatch at SMV is planned for Friday, February 19.  Expect a report on the RAS blog page.

See observatory report about an open house for March.

Observatory Report

John Barnette announced that RAS is planning an open house for March 23,  starting at 8pm.  The moon will be visible during the early evening, and Mars is still visible but will be retreating from the close encounter with the Earth.  Saturn will also be visible.

Library Report

Virginia Eckert brought a collection of 5 books to the meeting, available for check-out. At this point, the library is still at SMV, but we will be forced to move it to another site in the very near future.  More information later.

Presentation: “Highlights of the 2010 American Astronomical Society meeting

Ken Wilson presented highlights of the recent meeting of the American Astronomical Society in January of this year.  Since the meeting was in Washington, DC and close to this area, Ken took advantage of the opportunity to attend the meeting.  Ken discussed highlights of recent research and educational efforts presented by astronomers, which included some discussion of outreach work associated with the 2009 International Year of Astronomy.  Ken covered some of the hot topics discussed at the meeting and gave us a flavor of what it was like to be there.  Thanks to Ken for sharing his experience with us.

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Reminders:

<<The next board meeting will be Monday, February 15th at Extra Billy’s at 7:00 PM (arrive earlier for dinner). Meeting is open to all members.

<<The next RAS meeting will be Tuesday, March 9th at the SMV.

<<Check out the web site at http://www.richastro.org/

Richmond Astronomical Society
724th Consecutive Meeting
January 12, 2010
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Jim Browder called our meeting to order, in the IMAX Planetarium.

Greeting & Announcements – approximately 43 in attendance at the meeting.
The RAS blog and newsletter have been updated.  There is a link to the blog on the RAS webpage. http://richastro.org/index.php/category/blog/
Share table:
Terry Barker brought a 2010 Guy Ottewell Astronomical Calendar for people to look at.  He stated he bought it for a couple of dollars through a book club.
Chris McCann also brought one, along with a copy of the RASC Oberver’s Handbook
John Barnette had several items of Mars information, related to his presentation later in the meeting.
Ken Wilson brought a get well card for us to sign for Jane Hastings, who took a bad fall over the Holidays.
RAS members can purchase the Ottewell Astronomical Calendar through a special website,  www.Universalworkshop.com/clubs.htm , or call 800-533-5083.�
It claims the sale price of $19.95 expires on December 31, 2009, but still displays it.  Give it a try.  If not, the regular price is $26.95.
Past Events:
Last month’s skywatch was ‘snowed’ out.  That doesn’t happen too often around here!!
Individual observing included the viewing of the Orion and Mars.
The 60th Anniversary dinner in December had a good turnout.  There were a few comments about how good the speaker was.  The speaker was Jim Condon from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory.
Upcoming Events:
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
See observatory report about an open house for January.
John Raymond is planning a skywatch at the Petersburg Battlefield and at the BonAir residence center.  More information will be coming soon and should be on this website and through mass emails. Please let John know if you can help.
January’s skywatch is Friday, January 15.
Astronomical League report (www.astroleague.org):
Due to multiple laptop and screen issues, the planned Web site demo was postponed until after the break. It was then postponed again until the February meeting, due to shortness of time after resolving the laptop connection issues.

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Richmond Astronomical Society
722nd Consecutive Meeting
November 10, 2009
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Jim Browder called our meeting to order, in the Eureka Room.
Greeting & Announcements – approximately 31 in attendance at the meeting.

Share table: Several members have things to share.
Jim Blowers had an Orion catalog to offer, and also information on a journey to the 2010 total eclipse in Kenya.
Jeff Pike had a solar scope and solar filters to be referenced during tonight’s presentation.  He also had a free camera tripod for whoever wanted it.
John Raymond had a telescope for sale that was good for both astronomical and spotting.
Jim Browder had a coffee mug that was sent to him.  The mug had “Marthatopia” printed on it and was free to anyone who wanted it.
Bill Jeffries read a very nice note from Anne Verbiscer, who wished to thank RAS for the time and attention we gave her at October’s meeting.  She gave a fantastic presentation about her discovery of the largest ring ever found around Saturn.

 Past Events:
Last month’s skywatch was ‘weathered’ out.
Individual observing included the viewing of the Orionids, Jupiter, and Mars.  A few members had ‘unplanned’ neighborhood observing parties (usually they are the best kind).  It was also good to hear that the Powhatan police or park rangers are checking on safety of the members at the Powhatan site.
Upcoming Events:
60th anniversary RAS dinner: Date Friday December 4th.  Place: Holiday Inn on Staples Mill Road, near Staples Mill and West Broad Street.
The cost is $30 a person.  Provide payments to Jim Browder or Jim Blowers by Nov 30.  John Barnett and others are assembling some historical material for display, while Gary Cowardin is providing audio/visual equipment.  Bill Jeffries has scheduled our speaker for the evening to be Jim Condon from the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Charlottesville.  The topic of his talk will be “Weighing a Black Hole”.
Thanks to all that have helped, including Preston Kirby for researching the possible dinner locations.
The anniversary dinner will take place of the regular December meeting.
Annual membership dues are due to Jim Blowers.  Membership is $30, with an additional $10 if you are on the observatory staff.  If interested in magazine subscriptions, they are $32.95 for Sky & Telescope, and $34 for Astronomy.
November SMV skywatch has been cancelled due to a conflicting event at the museum.
Matoaca High is scheduling a skywatch on Nov 26 at 6pm.
Leonid meteor shower coming soon.
Mini Star party at Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation in Goochland on November 13.
RAS Board of Directors meeting will be 7pm on Monday November 16 at Extra Billy’s. Arrive earlier for dinner.
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson will be the opening speaker of the 2009-2010 season for the Richmond Forum, on November 14, 2009.   For more information, go to http://richmondforum.org/
The Cafe Press Shop is functional.  Check it out and and let us know what items you would like to add.    http://www.cafepress.com/richastroshop

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Richmond Astronomical Society
721th Consecutive Meeting
October 13, 2009
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Jim Browder called our meeting to order, in the Eureka Room.
Greeting & Announcements – approximately 36 in attendance at the meeting.
This will be a very special meeting!

Share table:
John brought some books for anyone interested in having them.  He also brought a telescope for looking at (maybe for sale).
Ken & Betty Wilson were cleaning out their garage and brought in extra pictures, maps, and handouts that they did not need anymore.
Bill Jeffries brought in some articles about our speaker, Anne Verbiscer, and her amazing discovery (see presentation).

RAS Board nominees will be announced through e-mail to the members very soon.  There are a few more openings that need to be filed.
If interested, please notify Jeff Pike ASAP at pikejl@gmail.com

Upcoming Events:
Science museum LiveSky and skywatch will be October 16.
Next Bryan Park skywatch is Thurs October 22 (Rain date is Mon October 26)
Mini star party at Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation in Goochland on October 17
East Coast Star Party will be in Coinjock, NC on October 23-24.
Woodlake skywatch on October 25
60th anniversary RAS dinner: Date Friday December 4th.  Place: Holiday Inn on Staples Mill Road, near Staples Mill and West Broad Street.
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson will be the opening speaker of the 2009-2010 season for the Richmond Forum, on November 14, 2009.   For more information, go to http://richmondforum.org/
The Cafe Press Shop is functional.  Check it out and and let us know what items you would like to add.    http://www.cafepress.com/richastroshop

Astronomical League report (www.astroleague.org):
Announcement of special offer:  The 2010 edition of Guy Ottewell’s Astronomical Calendar is specially priced at $19.95 through the website www.Universalworkshop.com/clubs.htm , or call 800-533-5083.
Check updated topics on Astronomical League homepage to see updated weekly explanations about what to see in the night sky.
NOVA is showing the acclaimed “Hubble’s Amazing Rescue” on PBS at several times during the next couple of weeks.
The AL homepage has a link to the LCROSS Post-Impact News Conference.
It also has updated photos of Saturn and the Bug Nebula from Hubble.
There is a link to LRO photos of Apollo moon landing sites and booster rocket impacts on the homepage.
Observatory Report – none

Library Report
Virginia Eckert let us know that there was no electrical power to the library and several cabinets were blocking our library cabinets.

Visitors
We had 2 visitors:
Ronnie, a college student interested in joining RAS, and Anne Verbiscer, our speaker for the evening!
Welcome to both of you!!

Presentation: “Discovery of Saturn’s Largest Ring” by Anne Verbiscer, University of Virginia
Anne Verbiscer presented amazing information about an outstanding discovery that she, Michael Skrutskie, and Douglas Hamilton made.  With help from the Spitzer satellite, they discovered the largest ring ever found around Saturn.  They were investigating the area around the orbit of Phoebe, a moon with an extremely large orbital radius and tilt that orbits in the opposite direction of other moons.  Along the path, a ring of widely scattered ice, dust, and debris was discovered, that is not dense enough to reflect or block visible light.  The height of the ring is equivalent to 10 Saturn diameters.  This is a quite a difference from the known rings that are easily visible and thin, as compared to the size of the planet Saturn.
This was actually the first public presentation of her discovery since the announcement was made on October 7th.
More information, associated links, and an artist’s drawing about the discovery can be found on the RAS home page.

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Reminders:
<<The next RAS meeting will be on Tuesday, November 10 at the SMV.
<<The next board meeting will be Monday, November 16th at Extra Billy’s at 7:00 PM (arrive earlier for dinner). Meeting is open to all members.

Richmond Astronomical Society
720th Consecutive Meeting
September 8, 2009
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Jim Browder called our meeting to order, in the Eureka Room.
Greeting & Announcements – approximately 34 in attendance at the meeting.

Share table:
There were a few magazines who want them.  There was also information regarding how far the TV broadcast signals have traveled since their original broadcast.
There were also a few astro-photos taken by a few of our members.

Observing and Events
Thanks to those who came by to help with the Science Museum Skywatch and the Star party at the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation.
Last month’s Livesky about Jupiter drew a full house (approximately 245).

John briefly discussed the upcoming Bryan Park skywatches:
   Thurs September 24 (Rain date is Mon September 28)
   Thurs October 22 (Rain date is Mon October 26)
Masonic Home skywatch – September 29
Meadow Glen Skywatch – September 30
60th anniversary RAS dinner: Date Friday December 4th
Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson will be the opening speaker of the 2009-2010 season for the Richmond Forum, on November 14, 2009.   For more information, go to http://richmondforum.org/
The Cafe Press Shop is functional.  Check it out and and let us know what items you would like to add.    http://www.cafepress.com/richastroshop
VAAS 2009 will be on Saturday, September 12, starting at 9am at National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) auditorium, 520 Edgemont Road in Charlottesville.

Discussed the process to elect the new RAS Board:  Existing members will be polled before accepting nominations from the non-board members.  Some of you will be approached to see if you are interested.
Voting will be done at the November RAS meeting.  Officers will be elected by the board the next week at their meeting, open to all members.
Jeff Pike is chairman of nominating committee.  Other committee members: Tim Streagle & Chris McCann.

Astronomical League report:
Announcement of special offer:  The 2010 edition of Guy Ottewell’s Astronomical Calendar is specially priced at $19.95 through the website www.Universalworkshop.com/clubs.htm , or call 800-533-5083.
Check updated topics on Astronomical League homepage to see updated weekly explanations about what to see in the night sky.
Observatory Report
Another open house is being planned in the near future, around the next 1st-quarter moon, weather permitting.
Grass has been cut recently.
John Barnette discussed an idea of using solar panels to supplement the power to the observatory.

Library Report
Virginia Eckert placed a few books on display, including a book on Aristotle.  She had to pick out a handful of books in the dark, after the lights went out in the library.
Remember that only members may check out books.

Visitors
We had 3 visitors:
Dave Walton (ex-member), Mae Woodley (aunt of Ted Bethune), Bob Mason (co-worker of Jim Browder)
Welcome to all of you!!

Short Talk:
Brief discussions were held about the up-coming VAAS meeting and its topics and schedules.  VAAS 2009 will be on Saturday, September 12, starting at 9am at National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) auditorium, 520 Edgemont Road in Charlottesville.

The Board met during the break to discuss and agree on the basic of the 60th Anniversry dinner.  Final date, expenses, food choices, and fund allocation.

Presentation: “Exo-Planets and the Search for Super Earths”
After our break, Ted Bethune discussed the possibility of other planets being able to contain life of any type.  His talk contained several slides depicting possible planetary situations that could possibly exist.
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Reminders:
<<The next RAS meeting will be on Tuesday, October 13 at the SMV.
<<The next board meeting will be Monday, November 16th at Extra Billy’s at 7:00 PM (arrive earlier for dinner). Meeting is open to all members.

Richmond Astronomical Society
719th Consecutive Meeting
August 11, 2009
—–
Jim Browder called our meeting to order, in the Eureka Room.
Greeting & Announcements – approximately 34 in attendance at the meeting.

Share table:
There were free books and magazines donated to anyone who wants them.  An agreement was made to save and donate the star atlas to Tim Streagle and his scouts.
There were also eclipse books and photos, in line with tonight’s presentation.

Observing and Events
Thanks to those who helped with the skywatch at Brandermill on August 3rd.  There was a great turnout.  Someone mentioned that a kid was announcing “Jupiter is here”.  Jim Blowers read an appreciation letter at the meeting, and also stated that a $100 donation was made to RAS from the Brandermill Association.
There were many observers and telescopes at the Science Museum Skywatch, but was quickly clouded out.
Perseid meteor showers peaking tonight, but the weather did not cooperate.

Mini Star party at the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation in Goochland on Friday, August 14.
RAS Board of Direstors meeting at 7pm on August 17th at Extra Billy’s. Open to all memebers.  Come early at 6pm if you wish to eat, too.
SMV Skywatch & Livesky is Friday (August 21) at the Science Museum.  According to Leslie, the special topic of the Livesky is Jupiter.
Bryan Park skywatches:
Wed August 26 (Rain date is Mon August 31)
Thurs September 24 (Rain date is Mon September 28)
Thurs October 22 (Rain date is Mon October 26)

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Richmond Astronomical Society
718th Consecutive Meeting
July 14, 2009
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Jim Browder called our meeting to order, in the Eureka Theater.
Greeting & Announcements – approximately 25 in attendance at the meeting.

Share table:

• Terry Barker brought in articles from Popular Mechanics and Smithsonian Magazine, on the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 (moon mission), Buzz Aldrin, and the SR-71 Blackbird.
• Terry also gave an overview of the prototype of our new web page. It allows for archival of past articles, easy editing of news articles, and a more uniform look to all pages. (more…)