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Welcome to Houston Astronomical Society

Founded in 1955, Houston Astronomical Society is an active community of enthusiastic amateur and professional astronomers with over 60 years of history in the Houston area. Through education and outreach, our programs promote science literacy and astronomy awareness. We meet on the first Friday of each month at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center. Membership has a variety of benefits, including access to a secure dark site west of Houston, a telescope loaner program, and much more. Joining is simple; you can sign up online, by mail or in person at a monthly meeting.

July 12, 2019, 6:30PM: July HAS Meeting

Trini Mendenhall Community Center

Meeting room open at 6:00pm. Come join us for some social time before the Novice Meeting at 6:30pm. Light refreshments will be served.

General Meeting: 7:15 PM

Dr. Antonio Paris – 3D Mars

Over the last decade, the Mars Rovers Spirit and Opportunity have captured our imagination. We have all marveled at the amazing photographs sent back to Earth and the discoveries made by these technological marvels. Through these intrepid explorers, we have imagined ourselves on Mars and some have even been inspired to volunteer to to be the first Mars Colonists.

Come join us on July 12, when the Mars experience will continue! Take the next step on a grand tour of Mars in full 3D with our guide Dr. Antonio Paris. He will show us the Red Planet like we have never experienced it before!

Planetary Scientist Dr. Antonio Paris is the Chief Scientist at the Center for Planetary Science, an Adjunct Professor of Astronomy at St. Petersburg College, FL and a graduate of the NASA Mars Education Program at the Mars Space Flight Center, Arizona State University. He is the author of three books: Mars: Your Personal 3D Journey to the Red Planet; Space Science; and Aerial Phenomena.

            Please join us for this unique and exciting journey to Mars!

Asterisms – Backwards 5

By: Steve Goldberg  (Posted 6/16/2019)

Asterism: a grouping of stars that form a recognizable pattern.
 
Constellation: Hercules
Right Ascension:  16h 36m 00.0s
Declination: +30o 45’ 00”
Magnitude: 7 to 10.6
Size:  24’
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This month’s asterism is named the Backwards 5. It is located in Hercules. This is a faint asterism, but it can be seen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is easily located near Zeta ζ Hercules. The large circle is a typical finder, with the smaller circle the FOV (Field of View) in a 10” telescope with a 32mm eyepiece.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

In the center of this view you can see the “Backwards 5”. However, with certain telescopes, like a Schmidt-Cassegrain with a right angle prism, the 5 appears correct.

 

Omega Centauri goes to HAS members Dan & Rebeca Roy

The 2019 Texas Star Party Omega Centauri was awarded to our own Dan & Rebeca Roy, founders of the Astronomy in the Park program in League City. They were nominated by Joe Khalaf, H.A.S. VP and Education & Outreach Co-chair, himself the Omega Centauri awardee for 2017.

DanRebecaRoy.PNG

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