RAC Events

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Special Events

Lunar Eclipse March 3 2007

The Moon will be in a total eclipse at moonrise in our area the evening of Saturday March 3. This is a beautiful sight! Sunset and moonrise are both approximately 6pm that evening. The eclipse will already be total at moonrise, and will end a couple of hours later.

Public event canceled. - We planned to assist Caledon with a public education program for the eclipse. However, because of lack of signups, and a poor weather forecast, Caledon has canceled the event.

National Sidewalk Astronomy Day

May 19 2007

Public Outreach Events

Introducing the public to astronomy is an important part of the club's purpose. We have a lot of experience presenting astronomy and assisting with observing events for schools, Scouts, and other community groups. Please contact us if you would like amateur astronomers from Rappahannock Astronomy Club to assist with your group's program.

Star Parties
Star Parties will take place at either Caledon Natural Area in King George or at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park. Observing begins as soon as it is dark enough. Club members, please arrive early to allow time to set up without the need for bright lights. The public is invited to come out and enjoy the view through amateur telescopes.

Star Party dates for 2007

Star Party Rain Date Location Sunset
January 13 2007 Cancelled by weather. See you on the rain date. January 20 2007 Caledon 5:08
February 10 2007 February 17 2007 Caledon 5:40
March 17 2007 Messier Marathon Cancelled by weather. See you on the rain date. March 24 2007 Caledon 7:17
April 14 2007 Cancelled by weather. See you on the rain date. April 21 2007 Caledon 7:44
May 12 2007 Cancelled by weather. See you on the rain date. May 19 2007 Caledon 8:11
June 9 2007 No rain date - separate event next weekend Caledon 8:32
June 16 2007 This will be a club event but not actually a public star party No rain date Change - Details at June 13 club meeting 8:35
July 7 2007 July 14 2007 Caledon 8:36
August 11 2007 August 18 2007 Caledon 8:08
September 7 - 8 2007 Big Meadows Star Gaze No rain date - separate event next weekend Big Meadows 7:28
September 15 2007 No rain date Caledon 7:17
October 6 2007 October 13 2007 Caledon 6:44
November 3 2007 November 10 2007 Caledon 6:06
December 1 2007 Postponed to the rain date December 8 2007 Caledon 4:47

Note: While a star party may not actually get "rained out", it may still be "clouded out". If conditions are cloudy on the evening of a star party, you can rest assured that it will be cancelled.

Monthly Meetings

All RAC monthly meetings take place at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library in downtown Fredericksburg, VA and are scheduled for the second Wednesday of each month, unless otherwise noted.

Monthly meetings scheduled for 2007. All meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

  • January 10
  • February 14 Cancelled by weather
  • March 14
  • April 11
  • May 9
  • June 13
  • July 11
  • August 8
  • September 12
  • October 10
  • November 14 at 6:30. Our election dinner meeting at Pizza Hut. 1224 Powhatan Street, just off Route 1, near University of Mary Washington. Note we start earlier than usual, since we're eating.
  • December 12


    • View our club meeting minutes.
    Locations of and directions to club events

    Caledon Natural Area is located on Rt. 218 in King George, Virginia.

    • Street address is 11617 Caledon Road King George, VA. A GPS that knows addresses can take you right to the gate.
    • Information phone number is 540-663-3861.
    • Located along the Potomac River northwest of the Hwy 301 bridge, near King George, Virginia.
    • Take I-95 exit 130, Rt. 3 east thru Fredericksburg, east on Rt. 218 for about 20 miles, Area on left.
    • Or to keep on bigger roads, take Rt. 3 east, left on Rt. 206 at King George High School, left on Rt. 218 to Area.
    • From Maryland, take 301 south, cross the Potomac, right on Rt. 206, then right on Rt. 218 to Area.

    Big Meadows is located in Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

    Borders Books and Music near Fredericksburg is located in Central Park, where Route 3 crosses I-95 west of Fredericksburg. Turn in at the main entrance, Carl D. Silver Parkway. Turn left at Commerce Street to park. Borders is 1220 Carl D. Silver Parkway.

    Central Rappahannock Regional Library Headquarters is located at 1201 Caroline Street Fredericksburg, VA.

    • Information phone number is 540-540-372-1144.
    • Located in historic downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia.
    • Caroline Street is one of the main streets in downtown Fredericksburg. It is the second street uphill from the Rappahannock River on the west side of the river. Caroline Street is one way northbound. From the downtown shopping district, follow Caroline north past William Street (Route 3) and Amelia Street. The library is in the block between Lewis and Fauquier Streets. A parking lot is in the rear, with parking entrances from Lewis Street and Sophia Street. The main door is on Caroline Street. We meet in the meeting room off the auditorium, which is an entrance to the left of the atrium entrance from Caroline Street. You can also enter the atrium from the parking lot.