Rochester Astronomy Club | Site-Wide Activity https://rochesterskies.org/activity/ Activity feed for the entire site. Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:21:35 -0500 https://buddypress.org/?v= en-US 30 hourly 2 8a9f5cef8737505010ec01d5120a66ae bwyman replied to the topic 2026 Meeting Minutes in the forum Meetings https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/2026-meeting-minutes/#post-15647 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:21:35 -0500 Meeting minutes and presentation notes from March 24th, 2026 meeting at RCTC.

 

]]> 4920d33c2b1c9d55d38dd0486450d7fe bwyman replied to the topic 2025 Meeting Minutes in the forum Meetings https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/2025-meeting-minutes/#post-15628 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:04:01 -0500 Minutes from August 12th, 2025.

Yes, these are ending up attached out of order. :-/

 

]]> 4873750ac83795377812ef5e3e450b48 bwyman started the topic 2026 Meeting Minutes in the forum Meetings https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/2026-meeting-minutes/ Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:54:02 -0500 Starting a new topic to post meeting minutes for 2026.

January / Holiday meeting minutes 2026-01-16: (attached PDF).

]]> 27930368e1ab12ef9593c8382f1cc780 fealeybob14 replied to the topic 2025 Observing in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/2025-observing/page/2/#post-15622 Wed, 25 Feb 2026 21:20:31 -0600 On 2/24/2026 Jupiter was observed and photographed. Stellarium indicated the Red Spot would be visible. I just had to get out to a picture (shown below). A 10 in. SCT was used and a composite image was made.

]]> bbd4dd06071493c72fd2e2a343ee221f bwyman replied to the topic 2025 Meeting Minutes in the forum Meetings https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/2025-meeting-minutes/#post-15551 Sun, 07 Dec 2025 03:44:17 -0600 Minutes from August 12th, 2025 meeting at RCTC.

 

]]> afeed8b6fba91361de9b7be6ff1936c5 fealeybob14 replied to the topic 2025 Observing in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/2025-observing/page/2/#post-15549 Mon, 24 Nov 2025 05:31:41 -0600 Observing tonight with the 10 inch Meade SCT. Saturn and its moons was the target.  While the eyepiece appearance can nicely reveal the planet and moons together, imaging often means exposing the planet and moons separately and combining them when processing the final image as below.

The moons (I think) left to right, are Rhea, Tethys,…[Read more]

]]> b9d0e564275b3c5ade265517c8a8ac46 Josef Chlachula replied to the topic 2025 Observing in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/2025-observing/page/2/#post-15544 Sun, 26 Oct 2025 17:17:22 -0500 In the good old times almost everyone was publishing on forum observing tonight? That topic had so many pages that it made sense to stop it and create topics 2024 observing or 2025 observing

Of course, everyone can start their own topic, and it is OK. The problem is that nobody knows about it, unless one would go on a regular basis to the forum…[Read more]

]]> 5cd4d10ab88acff35cea8d7ea77dd600 Macastronomer started the topic OCTOBER Star Party Misfire in the forum Star Parties https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/october-star-party-misfire/ Sat, 25 Oct 2025 21:40:13 -0500 I’m sorry that my messages didn’t reach people yesterday. Many in the club showed up last night and they did get a few hours in before the clouds set in, so maybe that was for the best. Tonight is looking more clear but the winds are 12 to 16mph which is pretty high for a star party. Due to wind, and the fact that most everybody did go last night,…[Read more]

]]> 0a0fbf521700506903d9df501f6354c6 Macastronomer started the topic News from Dean Johnson Memorial field in the forum Star Parties https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/news-from-dean-johnson-memorial-field/ Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:18:58 -0500 Hello Skywatchers,

Tonight’s skies look like a cosmic game of hide-and-seek. As the stars find a place behind the clouds we’re left counting on tomorrow. In short, tonight’s observation is a no-go.

Tomorrow is precariously promising, meaning there is greater chance of stars but they’ll be twinkling in the wind. If you don’t mind some wind we ma…[Read more]

]]> 9808d1f49e0767680359aaa323e89f4a fealeybob14 replied to the topic Comet Lemmon 2025 in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/comet-lemmon-2025/#post-15540 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:28:09 -0500 A smaller version with better dark frame subtraction:

]]> b1e47fcffbadd2d07fafea0081a65013 fealeybob14 replied to the topic Comet Lemmon 2025 in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/comet-lemmon-2025/#post-15538 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:15:00 -0500 Comet C/2025 A6 Lemmon is very photogenic.  I used my 6 in Quattro reflector last night for the image below as the comet was near the star SAO 83647 in Boötes.

]]> a8ef5d402d70a804ed89561ad48419b2 fealeybob14 replied to the topic Comet Lemmon 2025 in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/comet-lemmon-2025/#post-15536 Thu, 23 Oct 2025 16:14:18 -0500 Truly beautiful pics Mike.  Took another one last night at Keller.  Not as elegant as Mike’s but was fun to find and capture.

 

]]> 91e11c3c93079ec1a5064202853c8023 Mike Benson changed their profile picture https://rochesterskies.org/activity/p/731/ Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:35:24 -0500 0 72cdd666fe6e6c6a7444af1cabba3d52 Mike Benson replied to the topic Comet Lemmon 2025 in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/comet-lemmon-2025/#post-15533 Wed, 22 Oct 2025 21:58:30 -0500 Got these pics a couple nights ago.

 

]]> 181fffcd3cedf1b600363105bda676f8 fealeybob14 replied to the topic Orionids in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/orionids/#post-15531 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 17:54:42 -0500 Thanks Dwayne. I was out from 11 pm to midnight trying to photograph with my cell phone attached to my refractor. Orion was coming up over the trees in East and just then I saw a meteor streak by. Didn’t stay as I was going in at the time.

]]> 07193f94523973b8a8c40594a103c21f Macastronomer started the topic Orionids in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/orionids/ Mon, 20 Oct 2025 21:07:32 -0500 Orionids peak tonight and the sky is supposed to clear between midnight and 3am.

I don’t know if I’ll be up and able to find a decent sky at that time or not, but I thought I’d mention it just in case anybody else is thinking about it.

]]> 003abbf8ef6dee7a0823a6345046acc2 Macastronomer replied to the topic Comet Lemmon 2025 in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/comet-lemmon-2025/#post-15529 Mon, 20 Oct 2025 21:05:40 -0500 Nice! Thanks for sharing. Tell Jeff to share too. 🙂

]]> 9f3d0c02c8e1aee455d8cb57ba2bc1d6 fealeybob14 replied to the topic Comet Lemmon 2025 in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/comet-lemmon-2025/#post-15527 Mon, 20 Oct 2025 18:44:28 -0500 Jeff and I were at Keller WMA last night to observe Comet Lemmon.  Jeff obtained beautiful images with his telephoto lens camera. (Hope he posts some here!)

I had my refractor/camera setup (as in my previous post) and located the comet near the star SAO 63911 in CVn.  Image below is a stack of 12 frames each 5 seconds long.

 

]]> 8393af98bc81c69ae9986f08903431d1 fealeybob14 started the topic Comet Lemmon 2025 in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/comet-lemmon-2025/ Sat, 18 Oct 2025 04:37:27 -0500 Comet Lemmon was imaged tonight 10-17-2025 around 8 pm, while at Keller WMA.  This site has very good W and NW clear horizons and fairly dark skies.  I used my Astrotec 80ED refractor and ZWO ASI 183MC camera. 22 frames 5 sec each were stacked.  The comet was near the star SAO 63514 which has a magnitude of 6.1.

]]> 1e5df13ec58b166e47aef0fa6fbda394 Macastronomer started the topic Jonathan Tomshine TMB in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/jonathan-tomshine-tmb/ Wed, 15 Oct 2025 15:30:19 -0500 Should I print up something for Jonathan Tomshine (vinyl decal) for the scope that was donated to the club?

If so:
What should it say?
What color? (keep in mind the scope is white and red will not be visible on a white scope with red lights)
How big? (It needs to fit somewhere on the scope that won’t be covered by rings)
What font?

Thanks!

Duane

]]> b69c6d7e7a8e34e6102a4cc8e18eda45 bwyman replied to the topic 2025 Meeting Minutes in the forum Meetings https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/2025-meeting-minutes/#post-15511 Wed, 10 Sep 2025 06:17:16 -0500 Minutes from September 9th, 2025 meeting at RCTC.

 

]]> 50b7c9aaf6ba0430ba8cf3254d00ed88 fealeybob14 replied to the topic StarBQ in the forum Star Parties https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/starbq/#post-15503 Mon, 25 Aug 2025 18:30:17 -0500 The RAC StarB’Q 2025 was held at the newly dedicated Dean Johnson Memorial Observing Field on August 22-23 at Jerome Taubel’s farm.  Many RAC members came and skies were cooperative. The zenith dark sky recording (NELM=6.3) an image of M31, M32 and M110 taken during the night of 8/23/2025 are shown below.  It was a glorious night for sure!

 

]]> 2dee8a4ff9bf7b0eaa6c8361501049d4 Macastronomer started the topic Predictive Cloud Cover for Lanesboro This Weekend in the forum Star Parties https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/predictive-cloud-cover-for-lanesboro-this-weekend/ Fri, 22 Aug 2025 04:17:43 -0500 We’ve got some clouds to contend with, but it looks like we’ll get to see the sky if we’re patient (and lucky). Of course this is predictive and has changed a few times in the past 24 hours. Either way, it will be a good time and at times it will be a Glorious Night for Astronomy.

]]> 7d36882483abe768892c1bbaabc03992 Macastronomer started the topic StarBQ in the forum Star Parties https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/starbq/ Sun, 17 Aug 2025 21:17:38 -0500 Since attendees are now closed for the calendar event, should we pull that off of the calendar? It makes it look like we have an event at Eagle Bluff, which would be confusing for anybody visiting the site.

]]> 9399951c40bd78c7c351dfe3784b82d1 Macastronomer replied to the topic July 26th 2025 was aGlorious Night for Astronomy in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/july-26th-2025-was-aglorious-night-for-astronomy/#post-15496 Sun, 17 Aug 2025 21:14:30 -0500 Sounds like the Rochester Astronomy Club had a considerable portion of the sky observed that night. But, the stars still have us outnumbered. 🙂

]]> a6456fe60a7036c040016f92cfc04154 fealeybob14 replied to the topic Titan Shadow Transits on Saturn in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/titan-shadow-transits-on-saturn/#post-15479 Sun, 03 Aug 2025 22:41:23 -0500 Saturn with Titan’s shadow about 3 am, 8-3-2025.  Again skies were hazy, humid with less than ideal seeing.  I used a 10 inch SCT and a short video processed with Registax6.

 

]]> 7e1957af5fd332365e740303b4bd39bf Macastronomer replied to the topic July 26th 2025 was aGlorious Night for Astronomy in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/july-26th-2025-was-aglorious-night-for-astronomy/#post-15478 Thu, 31 Jul 2025 19:05:57 -0500 Awesome. Can’t wait to hear about it. It was a beautiful night until fog rolled in at 2:30, which I welcomed or I would have been there even later. The fog basically told me it’s time to go home.

]]> 085854d53208fd9cffb4d2c17d172c95 Josef Chlachula replied to the topic July 26th 2025 was aGlorious Night for Astronomy in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/july-26th-2025-was-aglorious-night-for-astronomy/#post-15475 Tue, 29 Jul 2025 01:54:48 -0500 Duane, we had great night at Frontenac, gorgeous Milky Way, mosquitos were not so bad. We were thinking about Eagle Bluff and comparing it to Frontenac.

Nice pictures.

]]> f9c9bc1889bf3736a011d7c2750ba3c3 fealeybob14 replied to the topic July 26th 2025 was aGlorious Night for Astronomy in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/july-26th-2025-was-aglorious-night-for-astronomy/#post-15474 Mon, 28 Jul 2025 20:35:27 -0500 Lovely images Duane! TcorBor refuses to budge from mag 9 to mag 10 according to SpaceWeather.com. A new forecast suggest either Nov 10th 2025 or Jun 25th 2026 for the star to nova. I missed both Eagle Bluff and Frontenac but was out observing in my backyard.

]]> 387a6b864a9f2236fd664dcaa5d6ba2a Macastronomer started the topic July 26th 2025 was aGlorious Night for Astronomy in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/july-26th-2025-was-aglorious-night-for-astronomy/ Sun, 27 Jul 2025 23:32:11 -0500 I hope Frontenac went well. I was the only club member at Eagle Bluff but I was joined by a couple guys attending the event. I got to know my  setup a little better and getting more comfortable using Dean’s scope.

It was good for me to sit under a starry sky, think about Dean and Kirk. I contemplate that answers exist somewhere between the…[Read more]

]]> 76a47413afbc7d4d7bbe385e3372dd60 Macastronomer started the topic Eagle Bluff looks to be Glorious Tonight in the forum Star Parties https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/eagle-bluff-looks-to-be-glorious-tonight/ Sat, 26 Jul 2025 22:09:41 -0500 I know some of you are at Frontenac, but I’ll be at Eagle Bluff. I hope to see someone there, but I’ll be enjoying the sky either way.

wherever you are, I hope you get out and look at the sky!

Duane

]]> b9b2209a905b67c4c3fdbf8c95a178f1 Macastronomer replied to the topic Titan Shadow Transits on Saturn in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/titan-shadow-transits-on-saturn/#post-15467 Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:10:15 -0500 Nice pic. Thank you for sharing. I should have gotten out and tried to get one but I’m just worn down from life. It’s a lot of work to get out there and get it done.

]]> f25584d6f60bd83feaf4b0b8c4a41dde Macastronomer started the topic Eagle Bluff July 2025 in the forum Star Parties https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/eagle-bluff-july-2025/ Fri, 25 Jul 2025 12:57:50 -0500 Tonight has clouds around 12:00am. I’m considering tomorrow instead as there’s only a hint of cloud tomorrow night.

Can I get some feedback before I make the move and put that on the calendar?

Thanks,

Duane

]]> 076669f70de9b2c892e7255a385206c5 fealeybob14 replied to the topic Titan Shadow Transits on Saturn in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/titan-shadow-transits-on-saturn/#post-15465 Sun, 20 Jul 2025 03:17:15 -0500 Just wondering if other members got out to see Titan’s shadow on Saturn. Perhaps Josef?

]]> 2a453dd71339e6376831aa36ac067a85 fealeybob14 replied to the topic Titan Shadow Transits on Saturn in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/titan-shadow-transits-on-saturn/#post-15461 Fri, 18 Jul 2025 19:29:24 -0500 It seems the Stellarium online view of the event today doesn’t show Titan’s shadow on Saturn’s disc (see Forum topic area on home page). I have Stellarium on my laptop and the shadow does appear.
For the image above seeing conditions were not the best with very high humidity and atmospheric turbulence and I went to bed thinking I did not see the…[Read more]

]]> e9226f813b728735b4178bc3a87fc802 fealeybob14 replied to the topic Titan Shadow Transits on Saturn in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/titan-shadow-transits-on-saturn/#post-15459 Fri, 18 Jul 2025 18:51:50 -0500 Finally teased out Titan’s shadow on Saturn early this am (taken about 4 am).  Used the 6″ scope (Quattro) and took a 100 frame video.  Processed with AS3, and Registax6.

 

]]> 17b424213c2cdb92e0aa19f362379acc fealeybob14 replied to the topic Titan Shadow Transits on Saturn in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/titan-shadow-transits-on-saturn/#post-15451 Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:14:43 -0500 Getting ready for a possible Titan shadow on Saturn.  The photo was taken at 3 am today (7-15-2025) with a 6 inch reflector.  I’ll use an 8 inch on Friday, (weather permitting).  The image is from a video with stacking using Sharp Cap Pro and Autostakket3.

]]> 11e0d22ceba914de9583d74c11c54061 fealeybob14 replied to the topic Titan Shadow Transits on Saturn in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/titan-shadow-transits-on-saturn/#post-15444 Wed, 09 Jul 2025 19:53:50 -0500 I do not know why the above attachment is blacked out!!! I will try to load the file as a Word file.
Also I have not been able to edit the above post?! Not sure why.

]]> 0f526745e4b41be4bfd5fa68dd81043b fealeybob14 started the topic Titan Shadow Transits on Saturn in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/titan-shadow-transits-on-saturn/ Wed, 09 Jul 2025 19:33:10 -0500 As mentioned during the 7/8/2025 club meeting the next 4 months provide an opportunity to see the shadow of Titan in transit on Saturn. The table below from Sky & Telescope has the dates and times to see this relatively rare event!

]]> 2646431933b033b3f49e76e2c7e02abd AstroMom replied to the topic Observing tonight? in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/observing-tonight/page/177/#post-15417 Fri, 27 Jun 2025 23:58:31 -0500 Anyone going to EB tonight?

]]> c431eb654af06572d6a807ccef05a42c Macastronomer started the topic Eagle Bluff Tonight? in the forum Star Parties https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/eagle-bluff-tonight/ Fri, 27 Jun 2025 21:56:26 -0500 Anybody coming tonight? It’s the peak of the Bootes meteor shower, no moon, clear sky, average seeing and transparency… A Glorious Night For Astronomy!

 

]]> f3e7d55c8f948c910d3b88baaf02c27b Macastronomer started the topic Eagle Bluff, Friday, June 26, 2025 in the forum Star Parties https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/eagle-bluff-friday-june-26-2025/ Thu, 26 Jun 2025 14:13:32 -0500 It is looking adequate for Friday, but the weather keeps changing. Transparency is slightly better on Friday than Saturday although it look as if both nights should be clear of clouds.

Are you thinking about attending?

—Duane

]]> 006943d3aca1492e9efbfe721cd182bb Macastronomer started the topic Sun Viewing in the forum RAC Events https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/sun-viewing/ Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:11:25 -0500 Tomorrow is not looking promising for observing the Sun.  🙁

Any alternate dates for this?

]]> 24b6ea90bf4313cab102db3d877e54bd Mike C: replied to the topic Observing tonight? in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/observing-tonight/page/177/#post-15390 Fri, 30 May 2025 23:54:24 -0500 Hey Folks, long time no post. I know we have a lot of smoke in the air, so I didn’t know if Eagle Bluff was going to happen tonight or not.

]]> 019e158a956e60c31cfd52a0a5f26a81 Macastronomer replied to the topic Clouds, clouds, clouds... in the forum RAC Events https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/clouds-clouds-clouds/#post-15388 Fri, 23 May 2025 03:45:24 -0500 It’s not looking good for tomorrow or Saturday. I’ll wait until tomorrow to call it for Eagle Bluff. Keep an eye out if you’re tracking this event.

]]> ffffdd5c8fbc7291f37da8bdd5a2119f Macastronomer started the topic Clouds, clouds, clouds... in the forum RAC Events https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/clouds-clouds-clouds/ Tue, 20 May 2025 20:03:32 -0500 It’s clear that it’s probably not clear. I hope it changes before the weekend.

Duane

]]> f6a650617e76baa01f7597de87b1fdc7 Macastronomer replied to the topic Contemplating heading to Eagle Bluff tonight/tomorrow? in the forum Star Parties https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/contemplating-heading-to-eagle-bluff-tonight-tomorrow/#post-15385 Mon, 19 May 2025 03:14:10 -0500 I’ve picked up the rings for Dean’s scope—and I managed to get the hair out! A bit of crafty work with a rolled-up paper tube and a shop vac did the trick.

If the skies cooperate for a Glorious Night for Astronomy, I’ll be bringing the scope to the Members’ Dark Sky Night at Eagle Bluff on May 23rd. If we’re clouded out, I’ll bring it to the publ…[Read more]

]]> e30baac4660cf235d80d8e56f4052b07 Josef Chlachula replied to the topic 2025 Observing in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/2025-observing/page/2/#post-15381 Tue, 06 May 2025 13:36:35 -0500 For several days now, there has been a large spot in the sun visible to the naked eye, through protective glasses of course.

]]> 15a455899d5c9989a89427b1f256d6c1 Macastronomer started the topic Root River Tonight? April 29th 2025 in the forum General Discussion https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/root-river-tonight-april-29th-2025/ Tue, 29 Apr 2025 21:07:15 -0500 It looks like a glorious night for astronomy if anybody wants to join me!

]]> cae9df156fec035d745f8d1892791320 Macastronomer started the topic Contemplating heading to Eagle Bluff tonight/tomorrow? in the forum Star Parties https://rochesterskies.org/forum/topic/contemplating-heading-to-eagle-bluff-tonight-tomorrow/ Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:30:43 -0500 Anybody up for Eagle Bluff?

Tonight it looks like it will clear up before it gets dark and the lot is available. Tomorrow it look like it will cloud up at midnight, but they have an astronomy hike planned and I’d like to have scopes there for the hikers to look through when they get done.

I’m trying to see if there is any interest and I’ll post…[Read more]

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