At the February Indoor meeting, we were treated to fascinating talk by Dr. Carla Frohlich of theNCSU Astrophysics Department.  The topic was the Origin of Chemical Elements and focused on the various nucleosynthesis processes, especially those occurring in core collapse supernovae, that enriched the early galaxy with all the all heavy elements (elements heavier than helium).  Dr. Frohlich

It was a very good night of observing on Friday, January 27th! Conditions were mild (for January) and we had about 21 club members and 12 guests attend. Sky conditions were generally good, but the seeing was bit soft for most of the evening. The temperatures started around 56F and dropped to 36F by the time the last members left the site.

In the January indoor meeting Dr Rachel L. Smith, Director of the Space Observation Laboratory at the Nature  Research Center (NRC) presented an overview of her research into solar system evolution to record setting 70 attendees.  She also provided  an overview of the astronomy based laboratory at the new Nature Research Center in downtown Raleigh  (opening in April).

On Thrusday evening, almost 20 club members went to the IMAX theater at the Marble's Kid Museum for a special event which featured food, beverages, and two IMAX shows.  The first was preview of the independent non-profit film called Outside-in and the second was the main IMAX feature called Hubble 3D.

This was a monthly event called Martini's to the Max that the museum offers to the public.

December's observing session officially started at 7:00PM but the gate was opened before that time.  A few RAC members were already there (Jim DellaPenna had opened the gate) along with some visitors. The night was quite pleasant and the temperature was in the Low to Mid 50's.  There was a ~5mph breeze coming off of Lake Jordan that made it a little chilly but over all it was still comfortable.