Mar
10
Tue
RAC Monthly Meeting March 2026 @ TBD
Mar 10 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Please come to the Rochester Astronomy Club monthly meetings! These meetings are free and open to the public. Each month we will try to bring you a different presentation and share observing notes and tips.

Agenda will be published on the Sunday before the meeting.

We are offering these meetings in a hybrid fashion, you can attend either in person or via ZOOM. To attend the meeting virtually via ZOOM, you will need to register using the link below.

You only need to register once to gain access to all of these meetings for 2026

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pXIUeCDoRgWWDNE3KB0c6g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Mar
27
Fri
Public Sky Observing 2026-03/27 @ Oxbow Park
Mar 27 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Beginners guide to the Astrophotography

Presentation by Michael Benson

Astrophotography captures the breathtaking beauty and secrets of the cosmos. It requires specialized equipment to collect faint light over long exposures, revealing details invisible to the naked eye. From capturing the vibrant colors of nebulae to the majestic dance of galaxies, astrophotography allows us to witness astronomical phenomena in stunning detail, pushing the boundaries of human observation. This unique form of photography not only produces awe-inspiring images but also serves as a powerful tool for scientific discovery, helping us understand the universe’s vastness and composition.

Mike Benson, PhD. is a retired VP of Research and Development for Hormel Foods at their Jennie-O Turkey Store facility. Mike is an avid astrophotographer who enjoys editing and taking astro pictures in his backyard and anywhere else he can find dark skies. He uses his SkyWatcher Esprit 100 refractor for astro images and has rented time on various telescopes in Chile, Australia and Spain for some of his southern hemisphere images. Mike loves the night sky and is an active member of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

Observing

Public Sky Observing of the young Moon – 8.4 days after New Moon, planets Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.

Moon on Friday March 27 evening

Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

Resources: In the Sky March/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 03/27, Sun and Moon 03/27, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

2026 Public Sky Observing Plan
Month Day DoW Location Sunset Start End ☽ age Planets Title
Jan 23 Fri Oxbow Park 17:03 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 8.0 Randy Hemann
Feb 27 Fri Oxbow Park 18:30 6:30 PM 8:00 PM 9.9 Presentation
Mar 27 Fri Oxbow Park 19:06 8:00 PM 9:30 PM 8.4 Mike Benson
Apr 24 Fri Oxbow Park 19:42 8:30 PM 10:00 PM 6.9 Bob Fealey
May 22 Fri Watson 20:16 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 5.4  
Jun 06 Sat Root River Park 20:40 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 26.6  
Jun 19 Fri Watson 20:51 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 10.5  
Jul 04 Sat Root River Park 20:51 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 10.5  
Jul 17 Fri Watson 20:58 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 2.3 Sun
Aug 08 Sat Root River Park 20:58 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 2.3  
Aug 14 Fri Watson 20:58 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 2.3  
Aug 29 Sat Root River Park 20:57 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 8.0  
Sep 11 Fri Watson 20:57 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 8.0 Ast. day
Oct 03 Sat Root River Park 20:48 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 23.9  
Oct 16 Fri Watson 20:48 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 23.9  
Oct 31 Sat Root River Park 20:48 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 23.9  
Nov 13 Fri Oxbow Park 19:11 8:30 PM 10:00 PM 27.4 Presentation
Dec 11 Fri Oxbow Park 20:35 9:15 PM 10:45 PM 7.5 Presentation
event February 27 previous next April 24

☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune

Color code
Oxbow Park Root River Park Soccer Fields Out of Rochester Moon visible

Facebook page

Apr
14
Tue
RAC Monthly Meeting April 2026 @ RCTC Room EA103 (use the southeastern entrance to RCTC.)
Apr 14 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Please come to the Rochester Astronomy Club monthly meetings! These meetings are free and open to the public. Each month we will try to bring you a different presentation and share observing notes and tips.

Agenda will be published on the Sunday before the meeting.

We are offering these meetings in a hybrid fashion, you can attend either in person or via ZOOM. To attend the meeting virtually via ZOOM, you will need to register using the link below.

You only need to register once to gain access to all of these meetings for 2026

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pXIUeCDoRgWWDNE3KB0c6g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Apr
24
Fri
Public Sky Observing 2026-04/24 @ Oxbow Park
Apr 24 @ 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm

Wonders of the Spring sky

Presentation by Robert Fealey

This presentation offers a comprehensive guide to the Spring sky, transitioning from the brilliant stars of winter to the “Great Diamond” of the vernal season. It highlights key constellations such as Leo the Lion, Boötes, and Virgo, providing practical “star-hopping” techniques—like following the arc of the Big Dipper to Arcturus—to help observers navigate the heavens. Beyond simple identification, the session explores the scientific significance of “Galaxy Season,” explaining how our view shifts away from the Milky Way’s dusty plane to reveal distant deep-space wonders. It serves as both a practical roadmap for amateur astronomers and a compelling look at the celestial mechanics that define the season.


Key Highlights:

  • The Spring Triangle: Identification of Arcturus, Spica, and Regulus.

  • Celestial Navigation: Using the Big Dipper as a primary guidepost.

  • Deep-Sky Objects: Why spring is the best time to view the Virgo Cluster.

 

Observing

Robert Fealey is a retired neurology doctor.  Robert is interested  in space exploration topics, like e.g. research of the Saturn moon Titan by spacecraft Cassini and lander Huygens. He has a small observatory in his backyard with a 10″ Meade telescope and a few smaller telescopes and digital cameras. He is passionate about astrophotography and he is an active member of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

Public Sky Observing of the young Moon – 6.9 days after New Moon, planets Mars Jupiter Uranus bright stars, double stars, and more by telescope with guidance members of the Rochester Astronomy Club.

What to expect at Public Sky Observing – click here.

Reload this page before you leave for the event. Event can be cancelled in case of cloudy weather or another reason.

Moon on Friday April 24 evening

Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio

Resources: In the Sky April/2026, Phases of the Moon 2026, Planets rise and set 04/24, Sun and Moon 04/24, Sun today, Holidays 2026
Moon Features You Can See From Earth,
Messier list, Caldwell list, Double stars list, Carbon stars list

2026 Public Sky Observing Plan
Month Day DoW Location Sunset Start End ☽ age Planets Title
Jan 23 Fri Oxbow Park 17:03 6:00 PM 7:30 PM 8.0 Randy Hemann
Feb 27 Fri Oxbow Park 18:30 6:30 PM 8:00 PM 9.9 Presentation
Mar 27 Fri Oxbow Park 19:06 8:00 PM 9:30 PM 8.4 Mike Benson
Apr 24 Fri Oxbow Park 19:42 8:30 PM 10:00 PM 6.9 Bob Fealey
May 22 Fri Watson 20:16 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 5.4  
Jun 06 Sat Root River Park 20:40 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 26.6  
Jun 19 Fri Watson 20:51 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 10.5  
Jul 04 Sat Root River Park 20:51 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 10.5  
Jul 17 Fri Watson 20:58 9:00 PM 11:00 PM 2.3 Sun
Aug 08 Sat Root River Park 20:58 8:30 PM 10:30 PM 2.3  
Aug 14 Fri Watson 20:58 8:00 PM 10:00 PM 2.3  
Aug 29 Sat Root River Park 20:57 7:30 PM 9:30 PM 8.0  
Sep 11 Fri Watson 20:57 7:00 PM 9:00 PM 8.0 Ast. day
Oct 03 Sat Root River Park 20:48 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 23.9  
Oct 16 Fri Watson 20:48 6:30 PM 8:30 PM 23.9  
Oct 31 Sat Root River Park 20:48 9:30 PM 11:30 PM 23.9  
Nov 13 Fri Oxbow Park 19:11 8:30 PM 10:00 PM 27.4 Presentation
Dec 11 Fri Oxbow Park 20:35 9:15 PM 10:45 PM 7.5 Presentation
event March 27 previous next May 22

☿ – Mercury, ♀ – Venus, ♂ – Mars, ♃ – Jupiter, ♄ – Saturn, ⛢ – Uranus, ♆ – Neptune

Color code
Oxbow Park Root River Park Soccer Fields Out of Rochester Moon visible

Facebook page

May
12
Tue
RAC Monthly Meeting May 2026 @ RCTC Room EA103 (use the southeastern entrance to RCTC.)
May 12 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Please come to the Rochester Astronomy Club monthly meetings! These meetings are free and open to the public. Each month we will try to bring you a different presentation and share observing notes and tips.

Agenda will be published on the Sunday before the meeting.

We are offering these meetings in a hybrid fashion, you can attend either in person or via ZOOM. To attend the meeting virtually via ZOOM, you will need to register using the link below.

You only need to register once to gain access to all of these meetings for 2026

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pXIUeCDoRgWWDNE3KB0c6g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Jun
9
Tue
RAC Monthly Meeting June 2026 @ RCTC Room EA103 (use the southeastern entrance to RCTC.)
Jun 9 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Please come to the Rochester Astronomy Club monthly meetings! These meetings are free and open to the public. Each month we will try to bring you a different presentation and share observing notes and tips.

Agenda will be published on the Sunday before the meeting.

We are offering these meetings in a hybrid fashion, you can attend either in person or via ZOOM. To attend the meeting virtually via ZOOM, you will need to register using the link below.

You only need to register once to gain access to all of these meetings for 2026

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pXIUeCDoRgWWDNE3KB0c6g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Jul
14
Tue
RAC Monthly Meeting July 2026 @ RCTC Room EA103 (use the southeastern entrance to RCTC.)
Jul 14 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Please come to the Rochester Astronomy Club monthly meetings! These meetings are free and open to the public. Each month we will try to bring you a different presentation and share observing notes and tips.

Agenda will be published on the Sunday before the meeting.

We are offering these meetings in a hybrid fashion, you can attend either in person or via ZOOM. To attend the meeting virtually via ZOOM, you will need to register using the link below.

You only need to register once to gain access to all of these meetings for 2026

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pXIUeCDoRgWWDNE3KB0c6g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Aug
11
Tue
RAC Monthly Meeting August 2026 @ RCTC Room EA103 (use the southeastern entrance to RCTC.)
Aug 11 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Please come to the Rochester Astronomy Club monthly meetings! These meetings are free and open to the public. Each month we will try to bring you a different presentation and share observing notes and tips.

Agenda will be published on the Sunday before the meeting.

We are offering these meetings in a hybrid fashion, you can attend either in person or via ZOOM. To attend the meeting virtually via ZOOM, you will need to register using the link below.

You only need to register once to gain access to all of these meetings for 2026

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pXIUeCDoRgWWDNE3KB0c6g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Sep
8
Tue
RAC Monthly Meeting September 2026 @ RCTC Room EA103 (use the southeastern entrance to RCTC.)
Sep 8 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Please come to the Rochester Astronomy Club monthly meetings! These meetings are free and open to the public. Each month we will try to bring you a different presentation and share observing notes and tips.

Agenda will be published on the Sunday before the meeting.

We are offering these meetings in a hybrid fashion, you can attend either in person or via ZOOM. To attend the meeting virtually via ZOOM, you will need to register using the link below.

You only need to register once to gain access to all of these meetings for 2026

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pXIUeCDoRgWWDNE3KB0c6g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Oct
13
Tue
RAC Monthly Meeting October 2026 @ RCTC Room EA103 (use the southeastern entrance to RCTC.)
Oct 13 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Please come to the Rochester Astronomy Club monthly meetings! These meetings are free and open to the public. Each month we will try to bring you a different presentation and share observing notes and tips.

Agenda will be published on the Sunday before the meeting.

We are offering these meetings in a hybrid fashion, you can attend either in person or via ZOOM. To attend the meeting virtually via ZOOM, you will need to register using the link below.

You only need to register once to gain access to all of these meetings for 2026

Registration link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/pXIUeCDoRgWWDNE3KB0c6g

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.