Welcome to Houston Astronomical Society

Fostering the science and art of astronomy through programs that serve our membership and the community. Founded in 1955, Houston Astronomical Society is an active community of enthusiastic amateur and professional astronomers with over 70 years of history in the Houston area. Through education and outreach, our programs promote science literacy and astronomy awareness. We meet via Zoom the first Friday of each month for the General Membership Meeting and the first Thursday of the month for the Novice Meeting. Membership has a variety of benefits, including access to a secure dark site west of Houston, special interest groups that focus on particular areas of astronomy, an active community outreach program, and much more. Joining is simple.

“The Nature and Weirdness of the Orion Nebula”

By: Prof. J J McCollum

Located approximately 1,344 light-years away, the Orion Nebula (M42) is the premier laboratory for observing the violent process of stellar birth. However, recent data from the JWST and GAIA reveals an environment far more "bizarre" than previously imagined.

This presentation dives deep into the nebula's inner realm, moving past its photogenic facade to explore high-energy anomalies: the intense radiation of the Trapezium cluster, the expansive Orion-Eridanus Super bubble, and the mysterious Large Velocity Dispersion that suggests a hidden 150-solar-mass black hole. We will further examine the "weirdness" of the Kleinmann-Low Nebula and the discovery of JuMBOs—Jupiter-Mass Binary Objects—that defy standard star-formation models. Attendees will discover how this iconic celestial landmark continues to challenge our fundamental understanding of gravity, chemistry, and the evolution of planetary systems.

Speaker: Justin McCollum is a multi-disciplinary physicist currently serving as the Orbital Mechanics Data Specialist and Researcher for American Data Science (2024 – Present). With over two decades of experience in the field, he also holds concurrent roles as an Adjunct Instructor of Physics and Astronomy at both the University of Houston-Clear Lake (2015 – Present) and Houston Community College (2011 – Present).

He earned his Master of Science in Physics from Portland State University (2005) and recently graduated with a Post-Graduate Certification in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning from the University of Texas at Austin (2023). His research integrates high-energy astrophysics with modern data science, focusing on complex environments like the Orion Nebula. A dedicated science communicator, Justin is a long-standing member and frequent presenter for the Fort Bend and Houston Astronomical Societies

Join us Friday, February 6th, 2026, at 7:00 pm CT. See you then!

This meeting will be held IN PERSON and virtually via Zoom.

Location : HCC Alief Hayes Campus, 2811 Hayes Rd, Houston, TX 77082 (free parking)

To attend through zoom, you must register for the meeting. You can do so using the link below. You will receive an email with the details of the meeting and a link that will allow you to join in.

You only need to register once!

“Our Universe - The Big Picture”

By Rich Wilbourn

Exactly what is the structure of the solar system, the galaxy, the universe? We've all been there, trying to make sense of the terminology and the immense scale of it all. In this presentation, we'll start with an updated view of the solar system and zoom out to the very edge. We'll see where life might exist in our solar system and around other stars. We'll catalog the components of galaxies. We'll see how galaxies string together in vast sheets across incredible distances. Don't miss this chance to better understand the Big Picture.

Speaker Bio: Rich is a retired IT/Project Manager with a lifelong interest in space and astronomy. As a teenager, he started an astronomy club in his hometown of Jackson, Mississippi, ground the mirror for his own 10" reflector telescope and was even appointed to the Planetarium Planning Commission for the new Jackson planetarium. Rich studied astronomy at the University of Texas in Austin where he spent two summers working at McDonald Observatory. A HAS club member since the 90's, his interests have evolved from visual observing to astrophotography. You can see his images on Instagram at @rwilbourn.

To see the video, click Our Universe - The Big Picture.

After a short holiday pause, we’re excited to resume our in-person General Meetings with a featured talk, held on the first Friday of every month.

Our next meeting will be on Friday, February 6th, from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, and it will be at a new location.

Alief Hayes Campus
2811 Hayes Rd
Houston, TX

Please note that this venue is different from our November meeting. Parking is free. From the main entrance, walk down the atrium until you reach the “red velvet auditorium” (room C100).

You’re always welcome to join us via Zoom, but meeting fellow astronomers in person is where curiosity really comes alive.

We’d love to see you there. Come join us!

Clear skies,
Matt Boerlage
President
Houston Astronomical Society

The “original” nebula, Sh2-284, lies in the constellation Monoceros and climbs to nearly 60 degrees in the late evening. Rich in Hydrogen, Oxygen, and Sulfur emissions, it’s an excellent narrowband target for both deep and wide-field compositions. But there’s more. Join us at the dark site to capture broadband data as well—something rarely attempted on this elusive object. Sh2-284 has no officially recognized name yet, so when you submit your image, include your proposed name and take part in our nebula-naming contest.