The Houston Astronomical Society was formed on September 15, 1955 when 71 members elected Woody Meyers, the main organizer, as the first President. At the time it was known as the Houston Amateur Astronomy Club. (HAAC). The original club met at the Museum of Natural History in the zoo, at 8:00 PM on the first Friday of each month. This schedule for monthly meetings has been a thread of continuity through the years.
In 1957, meetings moved to the Garden Center in Herman Park to accommodate a larger membership. Then in 1958, through the efforts of Ken Thomson, a student in the University of Houston Physics Department, and Professor Leon F. Graves, meetings were moved to the University of Houston, Room 118, Science building. In 1969, the Science and Research building became the club’s meeting site, and this same building is where they are still held to this day.
Certainly one of the things that helped generate interest in astronomy during these early days, was Woody Meyers’ 20-inch mobile telescope. The instrument, a Cassegrain, was mounted on a truck bed and could be seen at shopping malls, county fairs, and even in downtown Houston. The telescope served a two-fold purpose. It augmented Mr. Meyers’ income, and more importantly, it advertised the Club. Many early members joined as a direct result of their experience observing through this telescope. Mr. Meyers sold his telescope about 1963.
Another source of publicity for the early Club was a newspaper column by Bill Molinare, which appeared, first daily, then weekly in The Houston Post. His column covered many aspects of astronomy, and announced upcoming HAAC meetings.
In 1966, the Club adopted the name, Houston Astronomical Society (H.A.S.)*. Also in 1966, Woody Meyers, retired as President and was succeeded by Ken Thomson. During the following years, the society engaged in many scientific activities, contributing to groups such as the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO), and the International Occultation Timing Association (IOTA). These contributions continue to this day, with members participating in organized grazing occultation trips, and other projects.
Through the benevolence of the Parker family and Field Enterprises, The Lamar High School Astronomy Club (LAC) received an observatory building northwest of Houston, near highway 6 and 529. For many years, H.A.S. sponsored monthly public observing sessions at the Lamar Observatory. Use of the observatory continued until June of 1974, when the city’s growth and light pollution rendered the site unsuitable.
While the Lamar Astronomy Club was not officially affiliated with HAAC, many LAC members were also members of HAAC. Former members of LAC include Dennis Milon (now on the staff of Sky and Telescope magazine, and co-discoverer of comet Kobayashi-Berger-Milon, 1975h), Michael McCants and Bob Bailey (former secretaries of H.A.S.), and Allen Parker (former board members of H.A.S.). In September of 1974, after the Lamar Observatory became unsuitable, the Society was allowed use of the W.W. Butler Ranch (located near Ulm, 80 miles west of Houston) for its field trips. Observing conditions at the ranch were excellent and use continued until mid-1980, when the Society’s permanent facility became available.
A telescope making committee was formed in 1973 to build a high-quality, large-aperture telescope for the Society. More than 15 members, under the leadership of Fred Garcia, Society Vice President, and Art Ciampi, Telescope Committee chairman, produced a unique design for the instrument. Construction of the 12 ½ inch f/5 Newtonian reflector was completed in early 1979.
In 1976, with progress evident of the Society’s telescope, the decision was made to take the next step, construction of an observatory at a suitable remote site. The preliminaries of this process involve reorganization of the Society’s By-Laws, and incorporation as a non-profit, tax-exempt organization.
After 12 years of dedicated service to the Society, Ken Thomson stepped down as President, turning the gavel over to Dennis Zwicky in 1978. It was during 1978 that incorporation as a private, non-profit corporation was actually achieved. Tom Williams took over as President in 1979, and the Society’s fledgling Board of Directors began to function. Professor Leon Graves of the University of Houston and Dr. Reginald DuFour of Rice University served as the first H.A.S. Advisory Directors. During 1979, the Society hosted a successful annual meeting of the Southwest Region of the Astronomical League.
As part of the 1979 activities, the Observatory Committee was formed, under the leadership of Allan Parker. Committee members Parker, John Hiat, Tom Williams and Larry Wadle were aided in early stages of design and site selection by John Arnold, Art Ciampi, Fred Garcia, Bill Murrell and others. Studies indicated that a site located west of Houston, and south of Columbus, Texas, would probably preserve dark-skies for at least 20 years. Armed with this knowledge, Parker was able to establish a relationship with Walter Fondren III, and he secured a deed for 18 acres of wooded land from the Fondren Foundation. The property, about 10 miles southwest of Columbus, was an ideal observatory site for this part of Texas. Clearing of the site and fund-raising began in earnest at this time. Steve Goldberg took over as President in January, 1980. Under his leadership, the Society continued to expand its relationships with other organizations involved in astronomy. In May, 1980, H.A.S. hosted the National Spring Meeting of the American Association of Variable Star Observers. This meeting was attended by nearly 100 AAVSO members from all over the United States. Also during Goldberg’s term, H.A.S. sponsored the first Annual Astronomy Day at Rice University. NASA, the Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston Baptist University, JSC Astronomical Society, and the L-S Society helped host the event, held in May of 1981.
Ground breaking ceremonies held at the H.A.S. Observatory site in June, 1980, spurred the donation of $10,000 from the Fondren Foundation, as well as contributions by Society members totaling over $15,500. Key dates in the progress of the project include the pouring of 22 observing pads in July of 1980, and extension of electric power to the pads that September. June, 1981, saw the pouring of the slab for the Observatory building, with the brick walls completed that November.
When Art Ciampi assumed the Presidency in January, 1982, the Society rooster had grown to 211 members. Special Interest Groups were formed by members sharing common interests in certain facets of astronomy, such as Lunar and Planetary, Occultations and Grazes, Variables and Solar, and Astrophotography. During Ciampi’s term the Observatory building was completed, and more than 100 people attended the dedication of the building on October 15, 1983. Dr. Harlan Smith of the University of Texas’ McDonald Observatory was guest speaker. The first Observatory Open House was hosted on March 10, 1984. A 14-inch Celestron, a 12 ½ inch Astrola (on permanent loan from the University of Houston), and the Society-built 12 ½ inch f/5 Newtonian became available to H.A.S. members.
Due to the sophisticated nature of the Observatory and the equipment, it became necessary to train members in the proper use of the facilities. The first training class was held in May, 1984. In June of 1984, The Fondren Foundation donated an additional $7000 toward the construction of roads, a water well and restroom facilities. A grant from Exxon obtained through Peter Nolan provided two additional telescopes for our loaner program, two 8-inch Meade reflectors, also during Ciampi’s tenure.
January, 1985, saw Peter Nolan become President. On September 6, 1985, at the 30th anniversary meeting, a time capsule was filled, and on October 19, 1985, the capsule was buried at the Observatory site during the annual picnic. The capsule will be opened on the Society’s 50th anniversary, September 2005. For amateur astronomers, 1986 was the year of Halley. Houston Astronomical Society, along with other local societies and the Museum of Natural Science, began a series of programs to better inform the public about the famous comet. These included mall displays, lectures and public star parties at Brazos Bend State Park.
Largely due to the public awareness about Halley’s comet, the Society grew to over 400 members during Nolan’s term. Looking toward the future of the Society, Nolan initiated the Long Range Planning Committee, appointing Vice President Lee Cain as chairman. The permanent ad hoc committee, to be chaired by the Society Vice President, will survey members annually to anticipate future needs of the Society.
To bring together the representatives of all area astronomical organizations into a cohesive group, the Metro Council was initiated during Nolan’s tenure. And in January, 1986, a grant of $5000 to complete larger, more modern restroom facilities at the Observatory site, was made to the Society by the Faith Foundation.
Lee Cain became President of our Society in 1987. Member Larry Wadle, who had spent three years in Guildford, England in 1986 had suggested a twinning of H.A.S. with the Guildford Astronomical Society. Since both societies were founded in 1955, and share common profiles and interests, the twinning was approved. The Guildford Society drew up the twinning charter and it was brought to Houston by Brian States. Lee Cain and Brian States signed the charter at our general membership on June 5, 1987. The charter now hangs in the H.A.S. Observatory building. The 6-hour (90 degree longitude difference between our cities means that joint cooperative observing projects will offer opportunities not usually available to either society).
At the general membership meeting on July 10, 1987, more than $1,075 was collected from members towards additional observing pads at the site. The 16 new pads were poured during a week of work at the site in October, 1987. Four large picnic tables were constructed, along with the completion of the septic system for the new restrooms. The warm-up room was begun, remodeling a small building donated by Allan Parker.
Also during Cain’s tenure, several new Special Interest Groups were formed. To fulfill the needs of a large membership, groups dedicated to Advanced subjects, Astrophotography and Computers were formed. Some of the earlier Special Interest Groups still met irregularly, but the Society set up a formalized SIG structure along with financial assistance for the future. Additional groups dedicated to Radio Telescopes, Amateur Telescope Making, Advanced Astroimaging and Visual Astronomy formed later with projects and speakers to involve all interested members.
The future is bright for the Houston Astronomical Society. The formation of the Metro Council has renewed and encouraged cooperative work among local groups and institutions interested in astronomy. A newly-created Endowment Fund will maintain and operate the Observatory, and our members continue to fulfill the aims of the founders in educating the public about the science of astronomy.
*An earlier organization which flourished from the 1945 to 1952 was also known as the Houston Astronomical Society. This earlier society held meetings on the last Friday of the month at 7:30 PM in the old museum at Herman Park Zoo. Nathan Miron served as President, as well as W.D. Martin and Mrs. Jay Murray. The Society was dissolved in the spring of 1952.