The Rittenhouse Astronomical Society is the premier provider for public astronomy programs in the tri-state area.
Are you ready to take your astronomical interest to the next level?  Welcome!
 Join us for scheduled events below:
We promote awareness and interest in astronomy and related sciences
through educational / inspirational speakers and engaging programs.

Consider meeting with others who share an interest in astronomy!    
Wondering what is in the sky this month? Bring your questions, and your enthusiasm to learn.
  Free, informative ,enlightening and fun.  No obligation to join.

 

~What's new on the Society Website~
CONNECT WITH US!

"The direct tendency of Astronomy is to dilate the heart with universal benevolence, and to enlarge its views."
David Rittenhouse

Upcoming Gatherings, Events and Forums: 
 

Monthly Live Stream Event
June 9, 2021

MEMBERS PRESENT!

As in years past, we offer this opportunity for our members to present their passion and experiences with astronomy or historical related topics.

Please contact us if you would like to be on a most unique agenda, this year on Zoom.

Special Shorts not to miss:

Dr. Paul Halpern: with news of a new book release!
David Brown with a unique view of current Mars Lander, Rover and Helicopter (He worked on their cameras!)

 

astroQuora

June 21, 2021
astroQuora
Society Z00M Forum

Portal Opens 8:15 PM
Shares Begin 8:30 PM
Ends when last member signs off

An open forum for members and volunteers to stay connected in this time of separation.  Bring your astronomical interest as you are welcome to listen in but consider this for what it is, an opportunity to participate!  Invitations mailed out midday of Forum.

astroQuora

July 12, 2021
astroQuora
Society Z00M Forum

Portal Opens 8:15 PM
Shares Begin 8:30 PM
Ends when last member signs off

An open forum for members and volunteers to stay connected in this time of separation.  Bring your astronomical interest as you are welcome to listen in but consider this for what it is, an opportunity to participate!  Invitations mailed out midday of Forum.

July 17,  2021
Ryan Observatory Live Stream Event
8:00 PM, Live on YouTube
Featuring Local Observatories

 
RAS Newsletter   Fall Edition
 
 
 

172 Bethesda Church Rd. W
Holtwood, PA 17532   
 

Muddy Run Website

NASA Night Sky Network

 

 

Programs
 Supported by Exelon

Observatory currently
Not Open to the
General Public

Tentative live-streaming programs being planned for the below event dates.
July 17, 2021
 

Rittenhouse Astronomical Society
members coordinate and conduct
educational programming in association with:

Astronomy Enthusiasts of Lancaster County and
the  Harford County Astronomical Society

 

Members benefit & Volunteers appreciation
Exclusive Observing Nights at Muddy Run
Information provided at astroQuora forums!
and your invited!

 

 
 

 

We have a members community Facebook group. 
If you are a member and wish to join in,
you may request an invitation here.

If you have questions about our Society you can contact us at:

RASPhillyoutreach@gmail.com

Although we have no secretaries standing  by,
volunteer officers have access to this mail box.
and check periodically .

 
 

Remote Star Watch Weekends:
Have you dreamed of a location where the National Parks beckon by day and the sky cannot be ignored at night? 

You provide your own transportation to local sights by day, Rittenhouse Astronomical Society provides  the telescopes  as you relax at night under the darkest of skies.  Join with members of our society as your guides to observe and understand the universe that cannot be seen from most populated areas of the United States.  If clouded out, we provide evening astronomy presentations as an alternate for understanding the night sky.  Bring your scopes and binoculars (optional, not required,)  or enjoy the view through those provided.

Wyoming High Country Lodge
September 10 &11 / 2021
Bighorn Mountains, Wyoming

Hat Rock Inn

Dates to be Determined

The closest  you can stay to
Medicine Wheel!
  Bighorn Wyoming has some of the darkest skies in the nation.  Join Ted Williams (RAS President) as he returns to WHCL as a featured speaker 2 miles from Medicine Wheel.  This historic "Mystical site" is a featured visit during your weekend stay at the Lodge. 
 

Postponed:
Covid Virus Concerns

With such an amazing location and a friendly hotel management we hope to reschedule this at a future time.

 

 
 
 
 

Evening Sky Excursions

Find out what's overhead this month from
RAS member Adam Chantry: Methacton School District Planetarium

 

Prepare for our upcoming Messier Marathon
RAS member Dave Farina

 

 

 

Previous Speakers this Year

 

Monthly Live Stream Event
May 12, 2021

Matt Hunsworth of NEOZAZ.com
 Fan driven media and opportunities at Kennedy Space Center
 

April 14,  2021
Live Stream via Zoom / You Tube
Dr. Derrick Pitts

The Franklin Institute

The Future of Space Exploration
 

March 10, 2021
Stephen Grieco
Composer, Teacher, Musician
Cabrini University
Special Release, March 20, 2021
Dark Adaptation
 

February 10,  2021 
Rupesh Varghese 
Astrophotographer
LostPhotons.com

What to my Wondering Eyes
 Should Appear!

 

January 13,  2021 
Shaun Peiffer:
 Commercial Innovation Manager
International Space Station
U.S. National Laboratory

How did I get here?
 

December 9, 2020
Lift The Spirits
We raise the Spirit of
David Rittenhouse
 
(Historical portrayal by Ted Williams.)  

"
Twas the Night of David"
A Special Cllp from our Holiday Gathering

 

November 25,  2020
Dr. Ken Kremer : Space Up Close
Mission Update
from Cape Kennedy
View the Presentation

 

October 19, 730 PM
Roxanne Kamin
Astronomical Society of Harrisburg
Five Guys, The Hooker and Me
(This nights highlights were accounted for in an article published by Sky and Telescope Magazine)
 

September 21, 7:30 PM 
Robert Naeye

Search for Extra Terrestrial Life
View the Presentation

(Author of lead featured article in
September Astronomy Magazine)
 

June 15,  2020  
Elan Lift;
  President of the
Berks County Amateur Astronomical Society

View the Event



 


May 18, 2020 Z00M EVENT 
Irene Pease; Hayden Associate

Adjunct Lecturer at York CUNY
President Amateur Astronomers Association NYC
"Astronomizing Around NYC"
View the Event
 

April 20, 2020 Z00M EVEVT
Planet Report - Following Venus
        
 Denise Vacca  ~ Vice President RAS
        
 Stars on the  Move
Comet Atlas 2020: Pop or Fizzle?
       
  Adam Chantry ~ Solar System Ambassador
Obscure Asterisms

          Ted Williams ~ President
View the Event
 
  March : Covid Virus Lockdown


February 14, 2020 @ Betty Huff Planetarium
William Tennant High School
333 Centennial Road. Warminster PA


Hearts and Stars 
 

February 10, 2020 @ The Franklin Institute
Gustav Holst the Planets:
Lori Weidner:
Music Instructor;
North Penn School District. 
 

January 13, 2020  @ The Franklin Institute
Prehistoric Native American Sites and Stories
Megan Kassabaum-Assistant Professor,  University of Penn
 

December 14th  Holiday Gathering
Location:  428 North 13th  Street Studio 2F
Members Event, guests welcome.
Register at this  LINK as tickets are limited.
 

November 25 ~ Franklin Institute
Philly Moon Men
Astro Euro Tour 2019

October 28 ~ Franklin Institute

Dr. Scott C. Smith 
Seeing the Invisible:
The New Science of Gravity Wave Astronomy
 

September 16 @Franklin Institute

Amy Barraclough;
Edelman Planetarium Rowan University
Astronomy in Chile Educator Ambassador Program
 

June 17 @  Franklin Institute 7:30 PM

Adam Chantry
JPL Solar System Ambassador
Mallon Planetarium Methacton School District

May 20, 2019 @ Franklin Institute 7:30 PM

Amy Barraclough ~

Edelman Planetarium, Rowan University

 

April 10,  2019 @ The Academy of Natural Science  7:15 PM.

David Brown - RAS Historian

"An Astronomers Library"

Students of Upper Darby High School Science Report

"The Transition from Simple to Complex Crater"
 

March 18, 2019 @ The Franklin Institute 7:15  PM.

Ted Williams - President RAS
Hosting a Star Party at your Telescope
City Wide Telescope Night Orientation

 

February 25, 2019  @ The Franklin Institute 8:00 PM.

Dr. David Bradstreet

Eastern University
 

February 14, 2018 @ Centennial Planetarium 7:00 PM.
William Tennent High School, Warminster PA.

Hearts & Stars
Special Valentines Day Event

January 30, 2018 @ Centennial Planetarium 7:15 PM.
William Tennent High School, Warminster PA.

Celestial Highlights
Live tour of the night sky

 All Dome Digital Presentation

January 15, 2019 @ The Franklin Institute 7:15 PM.

Robert Hicks Phd.

Maritime Historian & Director of Philadelphia’s Mütter Museum
The Haven-Finding Art
 

December 18, 2018 @ Centennial Planetarium 7:15 PM.
William Tennent High School, Warminster PA.

Celestial Highlights
Live tour of the night sky
"Seasons of Light"  All Dome Digital Presentation

November 20, 2018 @ The Franklin Institute 7:15 PM.
NIGHT AT THE FELS: 

RAS "All Stars Present" in the Fels Planetarium
Planet Report  / This is Rocket Science / Celestial Highlights

October 16, 2018 @ The Franklin Institute 7:15 PM.
James Fanson

Project Manager Giant Magellan Telescope
"Project Status Report"
GMTO Corporation
Mr. Fanson will "FaceTime" in for his presentation with our members and guests.  Since he is live with us questions/discussions are welcome.
 

September 18, 2018 @ The Franklin Institute 7:15 PM.
Helena van Vliet
Pratt Institute
www.biophilly.org
Helena van Vliet is a nationally recognized biophilic architect, researcher, and educator. Her work focuses on the deep connection between human health and the experience of wild nature in the built environment. She is a steering committee member of the international Biophilic Cities Network, as well as the president of BioPhilly, a local volunteer organization, which promotes wild habitat biodiversity in urban Philadelphia.
 

Check out some recent guest speakers (2017-2018) and Events.

Past guest speakers (2016-2017) and Events.

 
 


Rittenhouse
Astronomy

RECENT RITTENHOUSE
ASTRONOMICAL
SOCIETY NEWSLETTERS
We share articles submitted by our members on or about the Cross Quarter day of each season.  If members have nothing to say, newsletter is held till articles are submitted.  Any member is welcome to submit an article for our newsletter.

RAS CELEBRATION
FIND US ON


Winter 2016-17

Summer 2016

Winter 2015-16

Summer 2015

 Winter 2014-15
 

Fall 2014
 

Summer 2014
 

Spring 2014
 

 
 
 

 Previously on this past orbit: 
OUR past ACADEMIC
YEAR

» HERE «

 

 


RittenhouseAstronomy

How do I enter the building if it is after museum hours?
Employee entrance shown on map is always open. 
There is a security official sitting just inside the door.
If you park in the garage, you enter through the Atrium.
Information desk or security will direct you to the meeting location.

Learn More about David Rittenhouse
Back to What's New on our Website

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Last Updated  5-6-21
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