The telescope library is an amazing resource for RCA members. To find out more information about the library click right here!
New members are welcome to meet at 6:30 PM before the General Meeting for an orientation and introduction to Rose City Astronomers.
If you have questions about the club or things you'd like to discuss with other newer members, bring those with you!
Tonight's topic: Preparing to Go Observing
Listening for Life at the Green Bank Observatory
Oregon State University Ph.D. student and friend of the club Cat Catlett will share some of their experiences supporting the Green Bank Observatory. The observatory is located in the National Radio Quiet Zone on the border between West Virginia and Virginia. It contains the Green Bank Telescope (GBT), which is the largest fully-steerable radio telescope in the world with a diameter of 100 m. Cat is now continuing their work in radio astronomy as part of the NANOGrav team at OSU. It will be fun to hear Cat's perspective on their journey as an up and coming radio astronomer and it would be great to have you join us!
For more than 60 years, the Green Bank Observatory (GBO) has provided astronomers with a unique window into the radio universe, enabling discoveries ranging from detections of molecules in interstellar space to evidence of gravitational waves in pulsar timing. This talk will introduce the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) and the science it enables, emphasizing its role in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI). The primary discussion will focus on the 2023 “A Sign in Space” performance, an international dress rehearsal for first contact wherein the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter transmitted a coded message to Earth, which was subsequently detected by the GBT and other radio observatories and decoded by the public over the course the next year.
About Cat Catlett
Victoria “Cat” Catlett worked as a software engineer for the Green Bank Observatory (GBO), developing and maintaining the monitor and control systems of the 100-meter Green Bank Telescope (GBT). Cat is now entering their second year as a physics graduate student at Oregon State University (OSU), where they do research for the North American Nanohertz Observatory for Gravitational Waves (NANOGrav) under the support of the Department of Energy Computational Science Graduate Fellowship (DOE CSGF).
For members interested in learning more about radio astronomy.
An email blast with meeting/event information will be sent out to members.
The Visual Observing SIG is a special interest group dedicated to observing the night sky using our unaided eyes, binoculars, or telescopes. Whether you are just getting started with visual observing or you are a seasoned pro, we hope this SIG will be useful and fun for everyone.
This SIG aims to be a place to celebrate the moments we enjoy most under the night sky. By sharing experiences, we build knowledge and spark greater excitement in this part of the hobby.
If you need help with a telescope project, need to clean or align your optics, or just want to talk about telescopes, come to the workshop. Activities include telescope building from scratch or a kit, telescope setup, cleaning, aligning, adjustment, and help using your telescope.
Click here for more information.
Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced astro-imager — whether you're using a CCD, DSLR, point-and-shoot or film camera — this group can help you achieve better images with less effort and frustrations.
Click here for more information about the AP SIG.
Join us at noon on the first Fridays of every month for good conversation and good food! All members are welcome!
Signing up for Downtowners is no longer by RSVP. Watch for the announcement that goes out to all members about one week before the date. It will include a link to the registration form. We are limited to 20 attendees so be sure to register right away if you want to attend. Check your spam folder if you don't see a message from us in your personal email.
Whether you're a beginner, intermediate or advanced astro-imager — whether you're using a CMOS, DSLR, point-and-shoot or smartphone — this Astro Imaging group can help you achieve better images with less effort and frustrations.
Check out our Skylark page & forum for information.
Link to the registration form will be in an email blast around August 21st.
OMSI Public Star Party - Autumn Night Sky
OMSI, Rose City Astronomers, and Oregon Parks and Recreation invite you to our free public OMSI Star Parties. The Star Parties provide a great opportunity to meet other people that share your interest in astronomy, and to view the planets, moon, stars, and other celestial sights through telescopes and binoculars of all sizes. From beginners to experts, all ages are invited. The scheduled viewing will be held at Stub Stewart State Park. Parking is $10/vehicle for guests. We recommend visiting OMSI's website on the day of the party for possible weather-related cancellations. Warm clothing and a flashlight with red light are recommended. Personal telescopes and binoculars are welcome. Location Information: L.L. "Stub" Stewart State Park, take US-26 west of Portland and turn right on OR-47. The park is located 23 miles west of Portland.
For more information, please click here.
You'll be asked to login to your RCA member account if you are not already logged in.
Holiday Potluck! More information closer to the event.