Welcome to Houston Astronomical Society

“Open Clusters and Asterisms”

By:  Larry Mitchell

Visually stellar open clusters and asterisms are unique as no two clusters are alike, and often stunning detail can be seen.  This differs from observing many deep-sky objects which due to distances and physical parameters often present similar apparent views.  We will explore how star clusters form, where and what they are, and how they evolved to their present state.  Unpublished data will be presented which displays a level of accuracy previously un-imagined. Stellar clusters are particularly valuable for stellar evolution analysis, and this also applies for objects in other galaxies, which are visible in amateur instruments, and we will explore some of these. It is always great to visually observe this wonderful universe through any telescope, but it is much – much better if one knows something about the object being seen. We will analyze and view some of the finest stellar clusters in the current fall and winter sky

Our Speaker: Larry Mitchell has had a lifelong interest in astronomy, He began observing at age 10 with a 3-inch telescope and in 1985 became a serious visual astronomer – Still Serious 40 years later! Larry owns too many telescopes including a  36-inch f/5 which he recently sold, a 30-inch f/3.3, a 20-inch f/5, an 18-inch f/4 as well as several others.

• Discovered supernova SN1994S, a type 1a supernova.
• Discovered and cataloged 117,300 galaxies and the author of “Mitchell’s Anonymous Catalog”, the “MAC” - Found in MegaStar
• Observed and cataloged all 2500+ of Wiliam Herschel’s nebulae and star cluster discoveries.
• He has a book currently being published by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) on visual observing describing technical info and how to find obscure objects, which may be viewed in medium sized aperture telescopes - Without Using a Computer.
• Larry has written several visual astronomy articles in various magazines
• Is the recipient of the Texas Star Party “Lone Stargazers” award and the “Omega Centauri” award and has an asteroid named after him - Asteroid – “126183 Larrymitchell”
• Since 2000, Larry has been the chairman of the Texas Star Party “Advanced Observing Program” and has been Co-Chairman of the Stellafane Observing Olympics for the past 8-years.
• Larry loves traveling the world giving lectures and observing the night sky, and is always ready to view this magnificent universe and share the adventure with his many astronomy friends ___________________________________________________________________________________

To see the video, click Open Clusters and Asterisms.

“My Astronomy Journey”

By:  Tim Russ

I would like to discuss my journey as an amateur astronomer.  From learning the constellations and objects in the night sky using a simple, small, manual Newtonian scope, to assisting NASA's Lucy Mission using the newest and latest consumer telescopes available.  Tim Russ  

Our Speaker: Tim Russ is an actor, musician, screenwriter, director and amateur astronomer. He is best known for his roles as Lieutenant Commander Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager, Robert Johnson in Crossroads (1986), Casey in East of Hope Street (1998), Frank on Samantha Who?, Principal Franklin on the Nickelodeon sitcom iCarly, and D. C. Montana on The Highwaymen (1987–1988). He appeared in The Rookie: Feds (2022) and reprised his role as Captain Tuvok on Season 3 of Star Trek:Picard.   

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To see the video, click Tim Russ - Amateur Astronomer.

“A Tour of the Autumn Night Sky”

Plus

“Astronomy & The Nobel Prize”

By: Chris Morisette

So long to this dreadful heat and hello to cool(er) nights!  Autumn is a great time to get out under the stars as a plethora of beautiful and exotic deep sky objects present themselves.  Novice Chairperson Chris Morisette will provide a brief review on how to navigate the night sky using celestial signposts, then take us on a tour of the autumn night sky. 

 In addition, Chris will present a brief topic entitled “Astronomy & The Nobel Prize”.  Here he’ll provide some background on the Nobel Prize and recognize some of the astronomers and astrophysicists that have been recipients of the award.  At the end of the meeting your input will be requested for the 2025 Novice presentation program.

To see the video, click A Tour of the Autumn Night Sky.

“Observing Jupiter and Saturn”

By: Chris Morisette

Saturn and Jupiter enter into opposition on September 7^th and December 7^th respectively.  To prepare for these events Chris Morisette will present “Observing Jupiter and Saturn”.  In this talk Chris will discuss tools and techniques for observing these beautiful planets and will delve into key facets of each planet, including the various moons that orbit these gas giants.

Exoplanet Atmospheres with JWST

By:  Dr. Caroline Morley

JWST has been operating for two years, and the science results it has returned so far are truly amazing! Consider its impact on exoplanet science. We stand at an incredible time in exoplanet science, as we begin to characterize worlds outside the solar system in great detail.

The exquisite capabilities of JWST allow us to see the atmospheres of planets from super-Jupiters to sub-Neptunes to Earths. Dr. Morely will highlight some of the most exciting results from the first two years of JWST science for exoplanets. She will also discuss in more detail, two aspects of exoplanet atmosphere science as it stands in mid-2024.

The first is our path to observing true Jupiter analogs, which takes us through observations of the coldest brown dwarfs and directly-imaged planets. Dr. Morely will highlight some discoveries from the first cycle of JWST observations of cold brown dwarfs, including detections of deuterium and possible aurorae.

Next, Dr. Morely will discuss how atmosphere loss may be sculpting the atmospheres of small planets, with huge implications for the next five years of studying Earth-sized planets with JWST. She let us know where she thinks the next 10 years of exoplanet atmosphere science will take us, so we may understand the breadth of data delivered to astronomers inboxes each week. 

To see the video, click Exoplanet Atmospheres with JWST.

Have you ever built a magnetometer? The Astronomical League has an award in its Observing Programs called:

Solar Maximum Observing Challenge.  (deadline for submission is April 30, 2025)

This Challenge is to experience the Solar Maximum. 

Go to the Astronomical League website and scroll down to Number 11. 

https://www.astroleague.org/al-observing-challenge-special-observing-award/

Here you will find the complete description. For you DIY builders, here is some information:

Build a soda bottle magnetometer.

• Instructions can be found here:  https://www.aurorawatch.ca/content/view/15/40/r
• Materials needed are:
  • An empty 2-litre soda bottle.
  • A couple inches of balast (sand or small pebbles) to keep the bottle stable.
  • A small lightweight mirror.
  • A small ceramic bar magnet. One to two incles long to fit inside the bottle.
  • A drinking straw.
  • Thread.
  • A small index card.
  • A yard stick or a meter stick.
  • A white flat target.
  • A light source (a faint red laser works well).

Use that magnetometer to detect variations in the Earth’s Magnetic Field.

Complete the program and receive a certificate.

Happy Observing!