July Meeting Minutes

RichmondAstronomical Society

742nd Consecutive Meeting

July 12, 2011

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Jim Browder called our meeting to order in theEurekaroom.

 

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 and a few photos for anyone to look at.

 

Past Events:

Science Museum Skywatch was held on June 17.  Thanks to everyone who helped out.  With the number of people that came out, it was good to see we had enough scopes to handle the crowd.

Green Bank Star Quest

RAS observing session at the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation

Outreach events

Individual observing

 

 

Upcoming Events:

Science Museum SkyDay Night Skywatch, July 15:  This skywatch is in conjunction with the special SkyDay Night event to be hosted by the Museum from 5:00 to 10:00 PM.  It should be well attended.  Please add your name to the sign-up sheet if you can bring a scope along with your passion for the night sky.  More information at http://smv.org/events.html.

Observing session for RAS members and guests, August 27: Observing at the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation in Goochland.  Directions to the camp are available at: http://bradysaunders.net/camp/direct.html.  Once you enter the reservation, turn right into the Cub Adventure Camp, drive about 0.1 mile and turn right at the brown sign with a picture of a telescope on it.  The observing field is at the top of the hill.

RAS Fall Picnic, September 17:  The RAS fall picnic will be held at the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation in Goochland. The Scout Reservation is an excellent location with convenient picnic facilities, restrooms, electricity and, lest we forget, a nice dark sky. 

Virginia Association of Astronomical Societies, October 1: The Back Bay Astronomers are hosting this year’s VAAS meeting at Tidewater Community College. Be sure to mark your calendars.

Mid-Atlantic Star Party, October 24 – 30:  Star Party in a dark sky park near Robbins, NC.  More information at http://masp.us.

Central Virginia Family Stargaze, November 18 – 19:  Star party hosted by the Heart of Virginia Scout Reservation, open to the public.  More information at http://bradysaunders.net/camp/starparty.html.

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

 

Library Report was not given.  All is good at the new library.

 

Short talk

Advanced Teen Astronomy Camp,” by Isaac Steincamp

Isaac recounted his experience at the Advanced Teen Astronomy Camp at Kitt Peak National Observatory.

 

Break – –

 

June’s Presentation:

Astro-Jeopardy with David Medici

Dave entertained and educated us a with a game of Astro-Jeopardy.

 

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Reminders:

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

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

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

Virginia Skylines: Be sure to check out the latest version of Virginia Skylines on our web site.  Virginia Skylines is a weekly podcast written by Leslie Bochenski, astronomy educator with theScienceMuseum andThomasJeffersonHigh School.

RAS Café Press store.  Please take a look at the online store where you can purchase items embossed with the RAS label. The site can be found at http://www.cafepress.com/RichAstroShop .