We understand that the Masonic Home and Meadow Glen skywatches went smoothly this past week. John Raymond reports that the attendance was good and the weather allowed for enough viewing time at each event, although some clouds rolled in and abbreviated one viewing session. Thanks very much to John, Tim Streagle, John Barnett and Prashant Reddy for helping out with these events.
Please plan to attend the next RAS meeting on October 13. Anne Verbiscer with the University of Virginia will be presenting at the meeting. Dr. Verbiscer does some very interesting work studying icy surfaces in the outer solar system. We very much look forward to hearing about her latest investigations. The meeting will be at the Science Museum of Virginia at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, October 13. A number of us will also be gathering for dinner at Arby’s across the street from the museum before the meeting. Please join us for the meeting and for the pre-meeting dinner if you can.
John Barnett will be hosting an open house at the RAS observatory on October 24, starting at 7:00 PM. John will have the telescope aimed at the moon, Jupiter and other objects in the Autumn sky. The observatory is located behind the shopping center at the corner of Robious Road and Midlothian Turnpike in a small gated field. Please feel free to join John at the observatory for the open house on the 24th. More information about the observatory can be found on the Richastro web site or you can contact John at jmbart2@verizon.net.
There is a transit of the red spot across Jupiter’s face tonight along with an occultation of the moon Io by Jupiter. If you are interested in seeing this event for yourself with your telescope (assuming the clouds allow), there is more information available at Sky and Telescope. See the entries for October 4 and 5.
Kent Blackwell will be hosting his East Coast Star Party at the Hampton Lodge Campground in Coinjock, North Carolina on October 23 and 24. Admission is $15.00 and no advance registration is required. If you haven’t been to this star party, it’s a great event at a great location. If you would like more information, please let me know (president@richastro.org). I have some images from a past event on my web site.
We have added a weather page to the Richastro web site. Please have a look and make suggestions as to how we should refine it.
Regards,
Jim Browder
Richmond Astronomical Society