The Arietids meteor shower will peak on June 7, 2023, but this is a daytime meteor shower so only a few predawn meteors might be visible, so why not use radio astronomy to listen to them!

Follow the video link below to the scheduled live stream , using what is referred to as meteor scatter we will be live streaming a way to listen to the meteor shower.

When a meteor enters the Earth’s upper atmosphere it excites the air molecules, producing a streak of light and leaving a trail of ionization behind it kilometers long. This ionized trail may persist for less than 1 second up to several minutes, occasionally. This trail is capable of reflecting radio waves from transmitters located on the ground, similar to light reflecting from a mirrored surface. Meteor radio wave reflections are also called meteor scatter, or pings.
In order to listen to meteor Scatter, you need a powerful transmitter in VHF band located not too close but not too far from you, we are using the video sync signal from a TV station in Canada, an Off Center Fed Dipole antenna, and a USB Software Defined Radio receiver.

Astronomy Day in Highland was a HUGE success!  On April 29^th 2023, RBAC members set up telescopes and activities in the parking lot at Northtown Shopping Center and before the sun set, the lot was filled with folks who came from nearby businesses, or just stopped by to see “What is with all those big telescopes?”  We estimate 175 visitors stopped by to safely view the Sun and see the prominent sunspots, and to view the Moon.  Many also came by the demonstration tables to learn how those sunspots were formed and how they can lead to auroras, as well as information about our Solar System, the Milky Way, the Moon, and meteorites.  We braved the high winds but had to pack up earlier than planned due to the threat of rain.  We had such great attendance and positive feedback; we hope to be back at this location next spring! (Image Credits : Mike Donaldson)

When you combine dedicated teachers with enthusiastic amateur astronomers, you get over a hundred students and their parents who are even more excited about astronomy than ever!  On April 28^th, after teaching all day, the 5^th grade teachers at Columbia Elementary as well as the school Superintendent turned out to provide students with many astronomy activities, and goodie bags of space related items.  The River Bend Astronomy Club was eager to share the night skies with these students and drove long distances to take advantage of the dark skies at Salt Lick Trailhead in Valmeyer, Illinois. We look forward to this event next year! (Image Credits : Mike Donaldson)