Dark Site Observatory
Society members enjoy dark skies at our observatory located eighty miles west of downtown Houston. In this aerial view, you can see how our dark site earned its nickname “Padhenge”. The observing field offers 38 concrete pads arranged in a circular pattern to best make use of the horizon. Electricity for powering telescope tracking devices is available within 50 feet of each pad. Wireless internet is also available, courtesy of Stratos Global Communications, Broadband Division and members Don Selle and Brett Maiwald*. Several star parties are held at the site each year, in addition to the Annual Picnic. Don Selle, the Chairman of the Field Trip and Star party committee, organizes these events.
Observatory Building with Sliding Roof
The Observatory Building, with a sliding roof, is home to three telescopes. The south wall folds down as well, to gain full access to the southern horizon. A few members have viewed one star of the Southern Cross from this site. The 16 x 33 main room is cinder block construction with a thick steel roof weighing an estimated 3 tons. A chart room, with its desk, sofa and reference charts keeps its roof on for use on those cold nights.
Telescopes
Three telescopes permanently mounted inside the Observatory building are available to members upon completion of a training session. Leftmost is the 12.5" f/5 built in the late ‘70s. It was originally designed to be transportable and then later modified to be permanently mounted in the observatory. It is a low profile scope in that the vertically challenged need only a step stool to get to the eyepiece when the scope is at the zenith. This is used for visual as well as photography. The white telescope to the far right is a 12.5 f/7 that was originally owned by NASA and used during the Apollo program to help locate a lunar landing site. In between the other two is the Celestron-14 that is used extensively for photography and CCD’ing. The telescope has been fitted with computer-controlled drive motors for tracking and Go-To capabilities.
Camping and Facilities
The site features a bunkhouse that's available for overnight stays. The bunk house is an air conditioned and heated building that sleeps four. A permanent restroom building with hot water and showers is a short walk away from the observation field. Spaces are available for both tent camping and RVs.
Observatory and Site Access
The HAS dark site is available to all members in good standing who have completed the site orientation course. The course takes approximately one hour, and is generally held once per month at the University of Houston on the same night as the regular club meeting.
The HAS observatory building is available to individuals who have been a member at least six months, who are in good standing, and who have completed the observatory training course. The training course takes about a half-day and is held at the site on an as-needed basis, usually during a full-moon weekend. You'll need to bring a sack lunch and a notebook; the cost for this course is $25.00, and includes a key deposit.
Contact the observatory committee chairman for more information.
* 2/3/2012: Wireless Internet is currently down due to some mechanical issues. The observatory committee is working to resolve as soon as possible. Several club members have set up a coop for paid wireless service via 3G; if you're interested in joining, contact Don Selle or Mike Edstrom.