Looking for fellow astronomy fans?
Here we are…
Upcoming Events
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| SMV Skywatch | 6/3 | Skywatch on the front lawn of the Science Museum, 8:30pm |
| RAS monthly meeting | 6/14 | Our monthly meeting will be held at the Science Museum of Virginia (in the Thalhimer Theater) and online Tuesday, June 14, at 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 in-person or online. |
You can find a full list of venues on the Venue Page
Searching for Information About the Sky?
What’s in the Sky Tonight?
Facing South, look to your left (East), and you will see the bright star Vega. The really bright star in front of you (South) is Arcturus. To its right, more…
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’ll bring one or more telescopes, depending on the size of the crowed….
Future and Past RAS Events
Doesn’t Get More Casual Than This
Intermission Beer Company enjoys us setting up in a field next to the brewery. The crowd displays unusual interest–I’m guessing because it seems so incongruous to see telescopes being set…
Country Club or Camp?
RAS hosted a skywatch at Camp Brady Saunders (Goochland), and I have to say, this is one of the most gorgeous camp sites I’ve ever seen. They built an amphitheater…
Skywatches are Getting “Perkier”
At last night’s skywatch, at Charles City, we were treated to pizza, chips, soft drinks, and Girl Scout cookies. At the one last month, hosted by Henrico County we had…
Metro Richmond STEM Fair 2021
Did we have astronomy this year? Since RAS presents monetary awards to science fair winners, how did this year’s edition work out? As you might expect, this year’s Metro Richmond…
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…