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Club Projects
The RCA is a very active club
with diverse interests.
Some of the major projects and interests are listed here.
Member Projects
Associations
-
International Dark Sky Association
RCA is a member of this association and one of our
goals this year is to increase participation in the IDA. This
group is becoming more & more effective in fighting & even reversing the
spread of light pollution.
Certificate Observing
Programs
- The Astronomical League (AL) sponsors a
number of observing programs for amateur astronomers. These programs
include the Messier Club, the Binocular Messier Club, the Herschel 400
Club, the Herschel II Club (developed by our own RCA group), the Deep
Sky Binocular Club, the Southern Skies Club, the Double Stars Club, the
Lunar Club, the Arp Peculiar Galaxies Club, the Urban Club, the Meteor
Club, and the Sunspotters. See the
AL web page for detailed
information about each one of these programs. Or, for more info on
these programs at the club level, e-mail
starscarol@comcast.net.
For a listing of club members who have earned certificates in the AL's
observing programs, see the
RCA's Awards page.
Observing Site
Project
- In November 2003, a group of club
members organized an Observing Site Committee to lead and coordinate
efforts of the club in securing and managing a variety of observing
sites for private use by members, and for community outreach and special
events organized by the RCA. The Committee is actively searching for
potential property to purchase - and seeking financial donations to help
pay for it. Observing Site Project Donation Web Page Here.
Telescope Workshop
- The club has a telescope workshop that
meets monthly on the Saturday closest to the full moon. Activities
that occur include telescope making, telescope adjustment, help with
purchase and use of telescopes, and other related activities.
Telescope Workshop Directions (at Technical Marine Service, Inc. on Swan
Island):
From I-5 northbound (or southbound also) take exit 303 (Swan Island
exit) and head west after you get off the freeway. From the northbound
direction, this means staying to your left and heading west on N. Going
Street. Follow this past Interstate Ave. and go down the hill towards
Swan Island. Get in the right hand lane and at the bottom of the hill
follow the signs to Mocks
Landing and veer to the right onto Basin Ave. Go about 1.5 miles to
Leverman (there's a signal at Leverman); turn right and go over the
bridge to the first street on the right, which is N. Cutter Circle. Turn
right and go to the end of the block to 6040 N. Cutter Circle. TMS is in
the first building as you turn in the driveway (there's a big "TMS" on
the side of the building. Parking and entry for the workshop is at the
side of the building. The entry door is the first door from the corner
of the building on the side (next to the big roll up doors.) We'll put a
sign on the outside so you'll know you're there.
Contact information:
Director: John DeLacy johncdelacy@comcast.net
Assistant: Don Peckham
don@dbpeckham.com
See the club calendar for upcoming dates and
times.
Downtowners Lunch SIG
- Downtowners is a monthly lunch
date with your astronomical friends who work in (or near enough to)
downtown and who need a little astronomic boost between RCA meetings.
Join us the first Friday of every month, noonish, for good conversation
and good food. We are searching for a new permanent place for
Downtowners; in the meantime, we are sampling new restaurants every
month. Watch the email list for locations. Everyone welcome!
Call Margaret for details: 503-232-7636
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