November 2016 Meeting Minutes

Richmond Astronomical Society

806th Consecutive Meeting

November 8, 2016

 

Greetings – approximately 34 in attendance at the meeting.

Jim Browder called our meeting to order in the Eureka meeting room

 

Announcements / Share Table

 

Thanks to Michael Pitchford for donating the shelves for our Belmead facility

 

Belmead update

 

Welcome Visitors:

  • David Wootton
  • Ruth Wootton

 

Library Report:

 

2017 Board of Directors Election

 

Events and Individual Observing:

RAS members

SMV skywatch

East Coast Star Party

Staunton River Star Party

VAAS

 

Upcoming Events:

Science Museum of Virginia Skywatch: No skywatch at the Science Museum in November due to a conflicting event.

 

Robert Krulwich, host of NPR’s award-winning Radiolab show, will appear at the University of Richmond courtesy of the Modlin Center for the Ms in the Camp Center Hall on November 16, 7:30 PM, presenting “Inside Science. RAS members interested in attending may use a special promo code to purchase tickets and receive a 15% discount. The promo code is “rvaastro” and can be used online at the link below:

http://tickets.modlin.richmond.edu/single/SYOS.aspx?p=2156

or by calling the box office at (800) 289-8980. If any members are interested in staffing an RAS information table at the event, please contact president@richastm.org right away.

 

James River State Park Skywatch, November 19, 6:00 — 8:00 PM,

James River State Park, Gladstone, VA:

Join RAS astronomers for an evening skywatch with Park interpreters. Please contact John Raymond at raymond74l9@verizon.net  if you can bring a telescope. Information about the park is at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/stateparks/james-river#general_information

 

RAS Board of Directors Meeting, Monday, November 28, Extra Billy’s (Broad St. location), 7:00 PM: The 2016 and 2017 RAS Board of Directors will meet at Extra Billy’s. The meeting will start at 7:00; reservations will be made for 6:00 PM for those that wish to eat dinner.

 

Powhatan County Library Starry Night Skywatch, December 1, 6:00 PM:

RAS astronomers and a Science Museum educator will provide a Starry Night themed event at Powhatan County Library.  The parking area will be blocked off for telescope deployment after 5:00 PM.  Please contact Jim Browder at president@richastro.org if you can bring a telescope. Information about the library is at http://www.powhatanva.gov/247/Library/

 

Powhatan State Park Skywatch, Saturday, December 3, 6:00 PM: Please join us at the trail head parking area for a skywatch under the dark skies of Powhatan. Once you enter the park drive to the end of the state road maintenance and turn left into the trail head parking area. A Google map to the skywatch location is at https://goo.gl/mapsJUWShywTzf5D2

 

Travelogue: ‘Aurora viewing from the Northern Regions,” Ken Wilson

 

Break

 

Presentation: “The Great American Eclipse — August 2017,” Ken Wilson