Welcome to the Rochester Astronomy Club
Rochester, Minnesota
*** Public observing on Friday 11/20 is cancelled***
FrontPage
Morning Mercury
Weather permitting, second half of the November is a good time to see Mercury on East horizon before sunrise! To spot Mercury can be difficult. On Friday November 13 2020 it was actually very easy. Mercury was visible under sliver of the Moon between two trees, as you can see on picture taken at 5:52 AM (exposure 1.3s, ISO 800). […]
FrontPage
Minnesota Statewide Virtual Star Party by the Bell Museum
November 9, 2020
John Martin
FrontPage
Comments Off on Minnesota Statewide Virtual Star Party by the Bell Museum
When you look up at the night sky, do you ever wonder how different it would look under really dark skies? What do others across the state see compared to the view in your town? What actions can you take to protect our night skies or help scientists understand the effects of light pollution? Join us for the Bell Museum’s […]
FrontPage
The Most Astounding Fact
By Mitchel Medvec The video idea came from a day when I was incredibly bored, sitting on my couch during quarantine watching astrophotography videos on youtube. I have always had an incredible interest in astronomy and the cosmos in general, which is why I am currently majoring in Astrophysics at the University of Minnesota. It wasn’t until I started this […]
FrontPage
Winter Sky above Oxbow
February 28, 2020
Josef Chlachula
FrontPage, Members Blog, Public Events
Comments Off on Winter Sky above Oxbow
On Friday February 28 the Rochester Astronomy Club hosted Public Sky Observing at Oxbow Park. It was a nice winter day, that turned into beautiful evening for observing. This public event started at 6:30 PM and several RAC members provided telescopes. Tables and chairs were also setup inside the visitor center so observers could warm up and see presentations by […]
FrontPage
Evening Mercury
The first three weeks of February 2020 there is good chance to spot elusive planet Mercury on the evening sky. Mercury is the innermost planet and doesn’t go far from Sun. This time of year Mercury can be seen on the evening sky about half hour after sunset. High above southwest horizon, there is also visible much brighter planet Venus. […]
FrontPage
Moon at ZooDazzle
Friday December 6 was again night of the Public Sky Observing. This time was at Oxbow Park also ZooDazzle, hosted by a non-profit organization the Friends of Oxbow. It is a fundraiser for Zollman Zoo. This annual event is designed to get families out to the zoo at evening to see about 200,000 lights, which Park is decorated with, animals, […]
FrontPage
Mercury transit observed
The innermost planet Mercury was on November 11, 2019 transiting in front of the Sun. Many club member prepared for this rare event at Mayo High School. They were hoping, that weather would allow to observe dark silhouette of the Mercury against bright Sun. Event started at 6:35 AM and ended at 12:05 PM. Observers experienced all kind of weather […]
FrontPage
July 20, 1969: One Giant Leap For Mankind
Apollo 11 Lunar Module Credits: NASA On the morning of July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins are strapped into the capsule of a 363-foot Saturn V rocket. Soon its 7.5 million pounds of thrust will propel them to the Moon. In 4 days, July 20, Armstrong and Aldrin will enter the lunar […]
FrontPage
An evening with the lunar eclipse
January 26, 2019
Mike Carlin
FrontPage, Members Blog
Comments Off on An evening with the lunar eclipse
January 21, 2019 at 9:00 PM dozens of members of the Rochester community join the RAC to brave the cold and enjoy the total lunar eclipse. The temperature dropped to a chilling -5. With the light breeze that accompanied the clear night, making it feel even colder. Although the air was cold, the skies were clear. With the Moon bright […]
FrontPage
What to expect at RAC Night Sky Viewing Events
October 10, 2018
John Martin
FrontPage, Members Blog
Comments Off on What to expect at RAC Night Sky Viewing Events
The RAC hosts regular Night Sky Viewing and Dark Sky Viewing events. If you are new to astronomy or new to the club, these events may be new for you as well. Knowing what to expect might make the events easier to navigate and more enjoyable. The observing events typically take place in a public location, after dark. Club members […]
