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The Rio Rancho Astronomical Society began in 1998 as an astronomy club with Rio Rancho High School.  Soon after its founding, the club expanded to become a public club, independent of the high school.  Over the years, we have grown and expanded, with new members coming and going, to the current public club we are today.  We are open to all types of members, from beginning astronomers to seasoned veterans.   And no, you don't need to be a master observer or even own a telescope to join.  All you need are a good pair of eyes and a willingness to learn.

Our monthly meetings are usually held at Rainbow Park Observatory 301 Southern Blvd in Rio Rancho.  The building is located behind Rainbow Park Pool (See map link at left).  The monthly meeting is usually on the Friday of the month that is between New Moon and First Quarter Moon, starting at 7:30 PM and a public stargaze follows each meeting, weather permitting.

Upcoming Club Events

Friday, January 31, 7:30 PM

Regular monthly public meeting at Rainbow Park Observatory.  The meeting is free and open to the public.

Special guest speaker will be Dr. Diana Dragomir who will give a talk on The Mysteries of Super-Earth Exoplanets.

Special guest speaker will be Dr. Diana Dragomir who will give a talk on 'The Mysteries of Super-Earth Exoplanets.' Just 25 years ago, humanity did not know whether planets were common in the Universe, or whether the Solar System was an anomaly. Then, in 1995 a giant planet was discovered in a 4-day orbit around a main sequence star. Since then, the number of exoplanets announced every year has been increasing exponentially, and most are unlike any of the Solar System planets. An intriguing category of exoplanets are the super-Earths: exoplanets with sizes between those of the Earth and Neptune. While absent in the Solar System, they are ubiquitous around other stars. Yet we know little about what these planets are like and how they formed. I will discuss how astronomers use both humble and powerful telescopes to gradually reveal the nature of this fascinating class of exoplanets.