Terry Barker

ISS pass Fri. night (July 10), 9:10 pm

by

If you missed last night’s (yes, it was visible, despite the clouds), here’s another chance. It’s later tonight, so we might have a better chance of seeing the Russian space craft, too. -1.5 magnitue, traveling from the WSW to NE direction, it will get 37 degrees high. There’s a Russian space ship following it, Progress … Read more

ISS pass, Thurs. night (July 9), 8:45 pm

by

-3.2magnitue, traveling from the SW to ENE direction, will get 56 degrees high. There’s a Russian space ship following it, Progress 33. You might be able to see it, as it’s following the ISS closely, preparing for a dock on July 12. If you go to this post on CloudyNights (http://tinyurl.com/lnguu9), you’ll see an amazing … Read more

Starquest 2009 Review

by

Wow–what a weekend. My wife and I could not resist going this year. This is an annual event, normally taking place around July 4 weekend, at the National Radio Observatory, Green Bank, WV. It’s about 4 hours from Richmond. Alan Bean, The 4th man to walk on the moon gave a talk, and we got a chance to have our photographs taken with him.alan_bean_20090627 He gave an outstanding talk, including some stories from his days as an astronaut, and some motivational points, as well.

Read more

February, 2009

by

RAS Board Meeting February 16, 2009 Attendees: Jim Browder, President Gary Cowardin, Vice President Jim Blowers, Treasurer Chris ~McCann, Secretary John Barnett, Observatory Director Preston Kirby Treasurer’s report given by Jim Blowers. Balance Summary: General Fund:      $7,347.97 Observatory Fund:    $301.21 TOTAL:             $7,649.18 Checking Account:  $2,679.25 Savings Account:   $2,854.02 Certificate of Deposit: $2,115.91 Pay Pal Acct:                … Read more

Iridium 45 Flare 2009 June 23

by

I went outside at 20:53 last night to see the Iridium flare. I thought an annoying cirrus cloud from the off-coast pinwheel low would get in the way, and the sky was still rather bright. But I saw it, nearly overhead, rather than at 69 degrees. It shone intensely bright (if Betelgeuse went supernova, it … Read more

Greenbank starquest

by

June 24-27, greenbankstarquest.org. This is the annual event that takes place at the Green Bank Observatory. It’s a pretty good dark site, since there’s a limitation on electronic devices for miles around.

Next meeting

by

The next meeting of the Richmond Astronomical Society will be held at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, September 14 at the Science Museum of Virginia in the Eureka Theater.  Jeff Pike will be presenting on “Dark Flow.” Thanks to Randy Tatum for this recent image of Jupiter showing the great red spot and diminished southern equatorial … Read more