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Upcoming Events
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| RAS monthly meeting | 3/9 | Our monthly meeting will be held online Tuesday, March 9, 7:30 PM at this link. We will open the video conference at 7:00 PM for people to chat if they like and keep it open after the meeting. Please join us if you can – everyone is welcome. |
| Skywatch | 4/23 | Binocular event for Chesterfield County |
You can find a full list of venues on the Venue Page
Searching for Information About the Sky?
What’s in the Sky Tonight?
Mars is visible in the evening sky right now–look South after sunset, almost straight overhead. The bright star Sirius will be low in the East (opposite of where the Sun…
Telescope Buying Guide
Do you want to buy a telescope, but don’t know where to start? You might consider using a binocular first, to become acquainted with the night sky. You can see…
Schedule a Skywatch
Are you a teacher? Scout Leader? We offer skywatch sessions, free of charge, for any educational purpose. We can’t use telescopes, as multiple people would be touching it. As an…
Future and Past RAS Events
Binocular Event at Trinity
With the complication of the virus lockdown, RAS has altered the way we host skywatches. Telescopes are out, due to the impracticality of cleaning the eyepiece between viewings. So, we’re…
First Light: Using Your Telescope
RAS made a few people happy about their telescopes the other night–we fixed them. The Science Museum of Virginia hosted a workshop on Feb. 3, and invited RAS members in…
Madhup Makes Astronomy’s Picture of the Day
Madhup Rathi had this picture of the Dumbbell Nebula (M27) featured in Astronomy Magazine’s Picture of the Day. The magazine article shows a beautiful image that Madhup took over about…
Mercury Transit at the SMV
John Beyer, RTD Meteorologist, wrote a nice article about RAS helping with the Mercury Transit on Monday, 11/11, at the Science Museum of Virginia.
Skywatch at Freeman High
Who knows what we turned off last night. We arrived at the Freeman High School practice field last night to find that the stadium lights were on. When asked, one…
RAS Celebrates 70 Years
“Watch me pull off a miracle,” Angie announces. I’m helping organize the club’s 70th anniversary celebration and she catches me by surprise. Angie Hutchison has set up all the tables,…
Staunton River Star Party is Coming Up – Oct. 21-27
If you have not been to this star party before, it’s a real treat and very much worth the trip. The dark skies, hospitality, convenience, facilities, and good food that…
Skywatch at Powhatan State Park
The skies at this park are very good-we could easily see the Milky Way, which is always a good omen. The park itself is very clean and well kept. We…
Skywatch at Intermission Beer Company
Who says jeeps and telescopes don’t mix? It turned out to be a good night for star gazing last week with a large crowd at Intermission Beer Company, due to…
Staunton River Star Party – Registration is now open for October!
Registration is now open for the fall installment of the Staunton River Star Party (October 21-27). Registration information at http://www.chaosastro.org/starparty/ This star party is distinguished by being held at Staunton…
Staunton River Star Party, Spring 2018
Below is a link to images of the March 2018 party compressed into three minutes for your enjoyment. Click on the image to view the video or watch on YouTube…
Chesapeake Crater Talk Highlights VAAS 2018
Greg Redfern of the website What’s UP? The Space Place gave us all a good reason to stay awake at conventions: he played a video of the Chelyabinsk meteor exploding over…