Welcome to Houston Astronomical Society

“HAS Dark Site Development

1979 to Present”

By: Steve Goldberg

One of the best assets an astronomy club can own is their own private, dark sky observing location. The HAS is fortunate enough to have an 18-acre dark sky site away from the Houston light pollution dome. Steve Goldberg will discuss the development of the HAS Dark Site from the mid-1970s through today.

Steve along with other notable HAS members were key players in the site’s development, from the initial land clearing and first working building through its present configuration. The site has grown from humble beginnings to a true astronomy village for HAS members to use and support.

Speaker: Steve Goldberg has long been interested in astronomy since “discovering” Saturn with his own telescope many years ago. He is past president of the Pontchartrain Astronomy Society in New Orleans and the Houston Astronomical Society. He observes with a 15” Obsession Classic telescope. Steve has organized several local astronomical events and solar eclipse trips over the years, including Astronomy Day starting in 1980.

Steve and wife Amelia are still very active, supporting various astronomy outreach events in the Greater Houston Area, and Steve is an active promoter of responsible night lighting for Houston. Both Steve and Amelia have a big spot in their hearts for the HAS Dark Site and over the years have been a big part of its development and operation.

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To see the video, click HAS Dark Site Development .

“Navigating the Spring Sky”

With: Chris Morrisette

April marks the beginning of Galaxy Season.  In “Navigating The Spring Sky” Chris Morisette will present various references and methods to help you find your way around the cosmos.  In particular we’ll see how we can use The Big Dipper as a “sign post”, which will allow us to find and view several beautiful celestial objects, including some very cool galaxies.

Also… upcoming Novice Labs will be discussed.

Our Speaker: Chris Morisette is HAS Novice Chairperson and an active member of the Houston Astronomical Society, North Houston Astronomy Club, and the Fort Bend Astronomy Clubs.  He is also a member of the University of Texas Astronomy Department Board of Visitors.  On clear Saturday nights you may find him volunteering at the George Observatory engaging with visitors and sharing his love of the night sky, or you may find him at the HAS dark site trying his hand at astrophotography.

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To see the video, click Navigating the Spring Sky.

“Keeping  Dark Skies Dark in the Texas Big Bend Region”

By: Stephen Hummel

Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator,  UT Austin McDonald Observatory

Dark skies, free from the influence of light pollution, are increasingly difficult to find in the modern world. Today, even some of the most remote areas of the world once thought untouched from civilization's glow are beginning to be impacted by light pollution. In this presentation, Stephen Hummel will discuss efforts to protect the night sky around McDonald Observatory and the Big Bend region, one of the last remaining areas of dark skies in Texas. These efforts have culminated in the creation of the Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve, currently the largest area in the world certified by DarkSky International.

Speaker: Stephen Hummel is the Dark Skies Initiative Coordinator for the McDonald Observatory, a remote research campus of the University of Texas at Austin. His work has focused on preserving dark skies in the Big Bend and Permian Basin regions of Texas through responsible outdoor lighting practices. In his spare time, he is an award winning astrophotographer with a specialty in rare electrical phenomena above nighttime thunderstorms.

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To see the video, click Keeping Dark Skies Dark in the Texas Big Bend Region.

Smart telescopes have taken the hobby by storm, and HAS along with it!  Some of the most lively discussion in our various communication channels of late has been about using smart telescopes, as well as sharing images we have acquired using them.  Thus, it is with great excitement that I announce the creation of the Smart Telescope SIG (STSIG).  As with the other SIGs we will meet once per month via Zoom to discuss anything and everything smart telescopes.  STSIG will meet on the third Wednesday of each month (the spot vacated by the now defunct EAASIG).  If you have a smart telescope or are thinking of getting one, or if you just want to see what all the fuss is about, join us!  Our first meeting will be Wednesday, February 19 at 7:30 PM.  Hope to see a good crowd.  Zoom link will be in the monthly SIG meeting email. 

Stephen Jones
President

“Explore the Moon”

With

Robert Reeves

Renowned astronomer Robert Reeves, author of the book Exploring The Moon With Robert Reeves: Observing and Understanding Our Natural Satellite, will take us on a private tour of our closest celestial neighbor. Along the way, Robert will point out some of the most interesting sights by way of his awesome lunar images. He will delve into detail about some of his favorite areas of the moon, and provide both new astronomers and seasoned observers with tips for observing these areas in our own telescopes. 

Robert has been a regular presenter to HAS and has always managed to both enlighten us with his knowledge and to share his unique perspective. In addition, he has inspired us to explore the night sky in new ways. This presentation is sure to be one you won't want to miss, and a great way kick-off astronomy in the New Year.

Our Speaker: Robert Reeves is an amateur astronomer who has become well known both within the am-Astro community here in Texas as well as internationally. He has been exploring the night sky since 1958 and took his first lunar photograph in 1959. Robert has been publishing articles about astronomy since 1984 which have appeared in Sky and Telescope, Astronomy, as well as other publications for amateur astronomers. He has written seven books about the Moon, space exploration and astrophotography. Robert enjoys speaking about astronomy and spreading his passion for astrophotography of both Moon deep sky targets.

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To see the video, click Explore The Moon with Robert Reeves.