Roanoke Valley
Astronomical
Society
Roanoke coordinates: 37o 16' 04" N, 79o 56' 26"W Altitude is about 1050 feet (320
meters)
M31 Andromeda page background photo by Clem Elechi
Students, join the RVAS for FREE!
e: bring your own food, beverages, cups and utensils; folding chairs; and eat in family groups. Masks will be worn whenever social distancing cannot be maintained outdoors or in the observatory. There will be do
RVAS Monthly Meeting: Monday, March 20th, 7:30 p.m. (Informal “Celestial Café” chat session begins at 7:00 p.m.) Natural Science Center, Virginia Western Community College, Colonial Avenue, Roanoke, VA. It’s our current understanding that the Big Bang created only three elements: hydrogen, helium and lithium. All the rest of the naturally-occurring elements were produced in the ensuing generations of stars and their supernovae. But are there other processes that could and may well have contributed? RVAS member Al Durham, one of many astrophysics enthusiasts in the club, thinks so. In our featured meeting segment, he’ll be sharing his perspectives on black hole accretion disks and how they might play a role. Along with Al’s talk, we’ll have the third installment of John Goss’s call to volunteerism. In addition, we’ll have our regular astrophotography, observing reports, “in the news” and “What’s Up?” segments. Mark your calendar for the March 20th meeting, which will again offer both in-person and Zoom options for attending, and watch for the Zoom invitation by the weekend prior to the meeting.