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.
Click here for more information about the AP SIG.
Check out our Skylark page & forum for information.
Link to the registration form will be in an email blast around August 21st. Registration will be open from August 21 - 28.
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.
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!
Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds
Our meeting tonight, Monday, September 21st, will be special. We'll be hosting a book event for a very accomplished and prolific speaker, Dr Scott Solomon from Rice University. Dr Solomon is an evolutionary biologist who, among many other things, has taken a deep dive into understanding how people living on Mars and other places away from our home planet will biologically and psychologically change and adapt to their new homes. His exploration is chronicled in his recently released book "Becoming Martian." (Notice that the foreword is from Astronaut Scott Kelly, too!) His description of his talk is below. As part of his visit, we will be selling his book at a discount -- $24 compared to the list price of $30, and he will be signing copies. It will be a fun scientific journey beyond the simple slogan "Occupy Mars" and it would be great to have you join us!
As commercial space travel accelerates and plans for long-term human settlement beyond Earth move closer to reality, questions once confined to science fiction are becoming matters of scientific and policy relevance. We are on the cusp of a golden age of space travel in which, for the first time, it will be possible for large numbers of people to venture into space. But what happens to the human body and mind in the extreme conditions of space? What should space travelers expect during journeys to orbiting space stations, the Moon, or Mars — and what are the longer-term implications if some choose to stay? These questions extend even further when considering future generations: What would happen to children born on another planet, and how might life beyond Earth shape human evolution?
Scott Solomon, an evolutionary biologist, professor, and science communicator will discuss his new book “Becoming Martian” (MIT Press), which explores how humanity’s migration into space could reshape human biology and minds. Drawing on research from biology, genetics, and space science, Solomon examines the potential physical, psychological, and evolutionary consequences of sustained life in space.
About Dr Scott Solomon
Dr. Scott Solomon is Director of the Center for Science Communication and Public Engagement (SCOPE) and Teaching Professor in BioSciences at Rice University. He is also a Research Associate at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History (AntLab). Dr. Solomon’s research examines the ecology and evolution of insects, microbes, and humans. He has a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Texas at Austin where his research examined the evolutionary basis of biological diversity in the Amazon Basin. He is the author of "Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds" (MIT Press, 2026) and "Future Humans: Inside the Science of Our Continuing Evolution" (Yale University Press, 2016). He has developed online courses in introductory biology and science communication through Coursera as well as two complete digital series with The Great Courses called "Why Insects Matter: Earth’s Most Essential Species" and "What Darwin Didn’t Know: The Modern Science of Evolution". He is the creator and host of the podcast Wild World with Scott Solomon. He co-wrote and co-produced the streaming series Becoming Martian (Curiosity Stream, 2021). He hosts educational trips to wild places around the world, including Belize, Tanzania, New Zealand, Galapagos, Iceland, and Antarctica. He is a Fellow of The Explorers Club, a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Honor Society, and the Society for the Study of Evolution.
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.
An email blast with meeting/event information will be sent out to members.
For members interested in learning more about radio astronomy.
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.
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 CCD, DSLR, point-and-shoot or film camera — this group can help you achieve better images with less effort and frustrations.
For more information, please click here.
Link to the registration form will be in an email blast August 29th (around midday).
Registration will be open from August 29th - September 4th.
(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.