Richmond Astronomical Society
724th Consecutive Meeting
January 12, 2010
—–
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
—–
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
—–
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.

—–
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
—–
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.
—–
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
—–

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…)

Richmond Astronomical Society
717th Consecutive Meeting
June 9, 2009
—–
Jim Browder called our meeting to order, in the Eureka Room.
Greeting & Announcements – approximately 42 in attendance at the meeting.

Jim thanked John Raymond for agreeing to become our Outreach Coordinator!

Share table:
There were free magazines for anyone who wants them.  Extra photos were also available for anyone.
Small telescope was on display.

Observing and Events
SMV Skywatch & Livesky is Friday (June 19) at the Science Museum.
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)
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.
Observatory Report
Another open house is being planned around the next 1st-quarter moon, weather permitting.  John  Barnett will notify the list server when plans are more solid.
Grass cutting is going well.
Library Report
Virginia Eckert placed a few books on display.  Remember that only members may check out books.

Short Talk:
John Raymond discussed the “East Coast Star Party Recap” in Coinjock, NC.
Presentation:         “The Southern Sky”
 Presenter – John Barnett
  This was a power point presentation that featured astrophotos taken by John in the Blue Mts of Australia in March, 2009. These photos showed the sky as never seen from Virginia and included images of the famous “Southern Cross”, The “Coal Sack”, The Magellanic Clouds, Alpha Centaurii (the nearest star), and the full, upside -down moon (as seen from the Southern hemisphere). Familiar constellations like Leo were almost unrecognizable in the upside-down sky views. Strange to see Orion standing on his head!
   Also shown were iconic photos of the Sydney Opera theater, Ayer’s Rock in the center of Australia and the plumes of the Rotarua volcano in New Zealand. The visits to observatories in N.Zealand and Australia were described as well.

Richmond Astronomical Society
715th Consecutive Meeting
April 14, 2009
—–
Jim Browder called our meeting to order, in the IMAX Planetarium.
Greeting & Announcements – approximately 23 in attendance at the meeting.
First order of business: Astronomy Day will be Saturday, May 2 at the Science Museum. A listing of probable activities was reviewed for that day includes solar observing through telescopes, making sundials, dark sky information, CCD imaging, mirror grinding exhibit, the always popular soda bottle rocket launch, followed up by an evening skywatch (weather permitting).

Share table:

• John Raymond had eyepieces for sale. He also had a set of large binoculars and its stand for $500.
• Tim Streagle used his laptop to display a red screensaver named Dark Adapted. DarkAdapted is an application program, free for downloading from www.darkadapted.com , “controls the amount of red, green, and blue in your screen gamma so that you may . . .preserve your dark adaptation while using your computer.”
• Jim Blowers displayed maps that had a night view of the world, showing lighted areas.
• Someone (excuse me for missing your name) put a gift certificate/coupon for a free eye exam. (more…)