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RAC News Announcements and information related to club activities, upcoming events, and topics of general interest.
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Written by Doug Lively
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Sunday, 29 August 2010 |
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2010.09.04 - Observation Blog Entry A special thanks to Brian Reasor for organizing Saturday Night's observing session! I arrived at 8:45PM at Bigwoods about on Saturday evening 04-Sep-2010. Brian Reasor had opened the gate much earlier (~7:00PM) and Joe Petit, Bill Pappas, Chris Cole, and Jim Delapenna were already observing. We had two other club members show up later in the evening for a total of 8 observers. Bill Pappas (a new club member) was out on his first visit to Bigwoods with the club. We definitely welcomed Bill to the club. However, many club members were afraid that with Bill coming out on such a great night his Bigwoods expectations may have been set abnormally high! ;) All kidding aside it was great to meet Bill and wish him many more clear nights with the club!
I setup beside Jim Delapenna who had his new 14" starmaster out. He had a great view of NGC 6543 (Cat's Eye Nebula) and he was able to descern the central planetary (but I could not). He also had a fantastic view of M57 (Ring Nebula).
The early evening observing conditions were just simply awesome. Although, I was a bit annoyed that Altair was casting a blinding glare in my OTA! I achieved a near perfect alignment and went directly to M13 (an old favorite). Every star in M13 resolved to a fine pinpoint of light. Also I was very impressed with the rich star filed in each view on Friday evening. Then I was off to find my first NGC object of the night: NGC 4781. I found the guide star but the object was in the trees. So, I went to my second object: NGC 4699 but it was in the trees. Undaunted, I slewed to my third object: NGC 4546 and DOH! It was in the trees ... and, just my luck, nobody in the group had chainsaw! After that I started looking for a handful of objects that were much higher in the sky that were yet unobserved. All in all I bagged 5 objects that qualified for the Herschel 400 list that I hadn't seen before.
Jupiter was incredibly bright and clear. I could readily resolve banding in the planet's upper atmosphere. Europa, Callisto, Ganymede, and Io were very bright but I didn't perceive any other Jovian moons. The sky began falling apart around 12:00AM as a mild band of clouds undulated from the south across the night sky. This called an end to an otherwise perfect sky however in-between their shallow troughs there were still some thrilling views to be had.
The Herschel Highlight of the evening was a tie between NGC 5982 and the Double Cluster (NGC 884 / NGC 869). NGC5982 is bound by an interesting aster-ism of 6 stars that look something like an elongated right pointing V (in my FOV). 4 galaxies NGC 5976, 5981, 5982, and 5985 are nestled within that elongated right facing V. However, much to my disappointment, I could only perceive NGC 5982 and 5985.
Near the end of the evening Mike Malaska (who had come in later) came over and we started talking about some nebulosity he had observed near the Double Cluster (NGC 884 / NGC 869). So I slewed over to them. I was really impressed with the rich star field of the double cluster. Although I had observed them before I don't recall seeing them painted against such a rich backdrop of stars. It was really quite beautiful. Mike and I determined that the nebulosity that he had observed might possibly be IC1848 and IC1805. However, my inverter had already been whistling for about 5 minutes (a sure sign I was about out of power) so we didn't slew over to them.
Overall, the evening was not as productive as I had hope for but I still managed to view 10 NGC objects (only 5 of which qualified as unobserved Herschel 400's objects) and 2 non-Herschel 400 objects for a total of 13 objects. They are as follows:
- Herschel 400 objects - Constellation Observed Object Type ------------- -------- ------ ---- Draco 05 Sep 2010 NGC 5907 Galaxy Draco 05 Sep 2010 NGC 5982 Galaxy Serpens 04 Sep 2010 NGC 6118 Galaxy Ursa Major 04 Sep 2010 NGC 5631 Galaxy Virgo 04 Sep 2010 NGC 5846 Galaxy
- Bonus Objects - NGC 6543 NGC 5985 NGC 5850 NGC 884 NGC 869
- Honorable Mention - Jupiter M13 M57
Brian and I were the last observers at Bigwoods and we left with the field light on and the gate locked at 1:52AM 05-Sep-2010. 2010.06.11 - Observation Blog Entry We had a pretty decent RACOBS last night (2010.06.10). By my count we had about we had 18 in attendance 7 of which were visitors or members on their first outing to Bigwoods.
I didn't arrive until 8:05PM but, as Pat Moore reminded me, "Somewhere in the world it was 7:30PM". There were already 11 members and guests present when I arrived. Some people were were setting up while others were observing Venus, Mars, and Saturn in (virtually) broad daylight!
I setup and began observing as soon as Polaris was visible. While most of the visitors were present I observed: Saturn, M13, M51, and M57. But after the visitor crowd thinned a bit, it was on to some serious observing. Despite the "OK" conditions, predicted by the Clear Sky Clock, the sky was pretty steady. In particular the South and South-West portions of the sky were very steady. However, by about 1:00AM my corrector plate had dew'd over and I had forgotten to bring my powercat heater/dew-zapper. So I packed up and went home. We still had 4 regular members observing when I left.
Some objects that I thought were kind of cool were NGC 3626. It was a "face on" galaxy that was right in the middle of an equilateral triangle of stars. NGC 4435 and NGC 4438 were a nice "two for one" find plus, even though there were tiny, exhibited some spiral structure.
Over all I bagged 10 NGC Objects and two Messier objects M85 and M86 (They were near some of the NGC's so why not!?). So for me it wasn't an incredibly productive night but definitely very enjoyable. I now have 60 objects remaining in the Herschel 400's list.
I found the following NGC objects last night:
Constellation Observed Object Type
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Coma Berenices 12 Jun 2010 NGC 4448 Galaxy
Coma Berenices 11 Jun 2010 NGC 4394 Galaxy
Coma Berenices 11 Jun 2010 NGC 4414 Galaxy
Coma Berenices 11 Jun 2010 NGC 4419 Galaxy
Leo 11 Jun 2010 NGC 3626 Galaxy
Virgo 11 Jun 2010 NGC 4371 Galaxy
Virgo 11 Jun 2010 NGC 4429 Galaxy
Virgo 11 Jun 2010 NGC 4435 Galaxy
Virgo 11 Jun 2010 NGC 4438 Galaxy
Virgo 11 Jun 2010 NGC 4442 Galaxy
2010.03.07 - Observation Blog Entry A special thanks to Steve Izzo for organizing last night's observing session!
By my count we had ~18 people out at Bigwoods Last night.
11 RAC Club Members and 7 visitors. I arrived around 7:30PM and left about 1:30AM. The seeing, transparency, and cloud cover (lack thereof) were the best I've seen in a very long time. The Orion Nebula was very stable and one of the best views I've ever seen (although, I could only see 4 stars in the Trapezeum). Stars resolved to fine points of light in my scope and were extremely stable. Mars and Saturn both were very stable images. All in all, I was able to bag 14 Herschel objects from the Herschel I (400's) list. Of the Herschel objects that I observed NCG 4449 was, IMHO, the highlight of the evening. I now have only 112 objects to go before I submit my report to Phyllis ... At my current rate I should be able to get that done in about 8 more years! ;O
Object Type Observed
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NGC 3665 Galaxy 07 Mar 2010
NGC 3813 Galaxy 07 Mar 2010
NGC 3938 Galaxy 07 Mar 2010
NGC 4051 Galaxy 07 Mar 2010
NGC 4346 Galaxy 07 Mar 2010
NGC 4449 Galaxy 07 Mar 2010
NGC 3726 Galaxy 06 Mar 2010
NGC 3877 Galaxy 06 Mar 2010
NGC 3893 Galaxy 06 Mar 2010
NGC 3949 Galaxy 06 Mar 2010
NGC 4026 Galaxy 06 Mar 2010
NGC 4085 Galaxy 06 Mar 2010
NGC 4088 Galaxy 06 Mar 2010
NGC 5474 Galaxy 06 Mar 2010
2009.04.24 Observation Blog - International Year of Astronomy As I was on my way to the BSA International Year of Astronomy Celebration, I observed the formation of some truly massive thunderheads. I started observing this formation from the Kings mountain area of North Carolina and as I traveled North they just kept growing in size (of course I was traveling towards them which augmented the affect). Unlike typical anvil heads, that I'm used to seeing, you can clearly see could growth through the tops or the two central cloud columns. You don't see that every day. The picture was taken with my cell phone camera on State Hyw 24/27 about 11 miles south of Albemarle, NC looking East towards Carthage at 6:34PM. I sent the uncropped version of this picture to NC-NBC 17 and they featured it on their 24-APR-2009 7:00PM and 11:00PM weather newscasts. Regards,
Doug http://groups.yahoo.com/group/raleighastro/photos/album/705627824/pic/546256828/view?picmode=&mode=list&order=ordinal&start=1&count=20&dir=asc
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Last Updated ( Monday, 06 September 2010 )
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Telescope Tune Up Clinics |
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Written by Michael Keefe
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Saturday, 28 August 2010 |
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So do you have telescope at home that you wish you knew how to use? Or maybe a telescope that needs work before it can be a instrument that will show off the beauty of the night sky to you? Maybe you just want to learn a little more about telescopes and astronomy but don't know where to start?
Well, you have found the right place!
The Raleigh Astronomy Club is dedicated to promoting amateur astronomy in the Raleigh North Carolina area. Our goal is to educate the public on telescope use thus promoting satisfying and productive observing experiences. It is with this goal in mind that we are proud to sponsor free Telescope Tune-up Clinics to help individuals and families understand how to use the equipment they already own or may be considering for purchase.
Participants are encouraged to bring their telescopes to the clinic. Experienced amateur astronomers will be on hand to assist you. The clinic will consist of a presentation, a guided hands-on tutorial and finally an introductory observing session. The agenda is as follows: 
> Telescope / Astronomy Basics
> Types of Telescopes
> Setting up Your Telescope (Hands-On Exercise)
> Equipment Trouble Spots for Beginners
> Planning an Observation Session
> Actual Evening Observing Session (weather permitting)
Even if you do not own a telescope yet, please come out and learn some valuable information that will help you purchase the right telescope for you.
Our format includes presentations from knowledge amateurs from our club
Hands on, outdoor exerices with assistance from experienced club members.
Make sure you check out out Telescope Tune Up Clinic page for more details and the latest schedule.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 29 August 2010 )
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Report on the Public Viewing at North Cary Park April 4, 2009 |
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Written by Mark Lang
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Tuesday, 14 April 2009 |
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A nice crowd showed up for a public observing session on the
soccer field at North
Cary Park
on Saturday April 4 from 8:30 to 11:00.
The main objects shown were the Moon and Saturn because high clouds
plagued us almost the whole observing session.
Fittingly, the skies cleared after the observing session was over. Many guests asked about the large ice crystal
halo around the Moon.
Over the two and a half hour event, I would estimate that
there were around 300 guests with plenty of children present. Some members were still hanging around
talking and observing at 11:30. This
event was well attended considering UNC was playing its final four basketball
game and the Carolina Hurricanes were playing hockey at the same time our event
was happening. It seemed that most
people heard about the event from the Town of Cary event notification mailing list. The event was publicized elsewhere, but no
one mentioned the other methods.
The following Club members brought their telescopes and
helped out. I would like say thanks to
all of them.
Dan Lamson & Darice Frey - big dob
Mark Lang - 80mm refractor
Mike Foster - Astroscan
Mark Gibson - C-8
Richard Ossowski - small refractor
Pat Moore - 16" Dob
Doug Lively - 10" Meade SCT with imaging setup
Robert Fitzgerald - 11" Celestron with imaging setup
Michael Keefe - 4.5" Newt and 8" f/6 Dob
Steve Goodman - 8" Newt.
Jim DellaPenna - 6" Dob
Mike Etkin
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 14 April 2009 )
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February Meeting - Johnny Horne |
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Written by Ian Hewitt
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Wednesday, 04 March 2009 |
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The February meeting for the Raleigh Astronomy Club was held on Friday, February 13th at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. We had great presentation from Johnny Horne, Photo Editor for the Fayetteville News and Observer, entitled Earth and Sky. Johnny talked about some of his terrific astrophotos and how he planned and used natural features to improve the images.
You can read more about Johnny and his activities at his blog at http://blogs.fayobserver.com/backyarduniverse.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 04 March 2009 )
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Astronomy Days Out of This World! |
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Written by Ian Hewitt
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Wednesday, 11 February 2009 |
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On January 24 and 25th The Raleigh Astronomy Club and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences hosted the 18th Astronomy Days event in downtown Raleigh. Over 14,500 people participated in this free weekend event. It features exhibits and presentations from local astronomy clubs, NASA, the Museum, and mayn other organizations. This year's them was the international year of astronomy. The Raleigh Astronomy Club would like to sincerely thank every individual and every organization who attended or volunteered for the Astronomy Days and made it such a great success.
There will be an article with details on the event posted to our Articles section. We are all looking forward to next year's event in January 2010!
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 11 February 2009 )
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