Rene Gedaly, HAS President

The WSIG will be starting a class on observing the HAS Texas 45. This class is open to all members of HAS but RSVPs are required. Our homegrown observing program is held at the Dark Site and is totally accessible to the novice observer who’s got a few rudimentary skills. For instance, at the Novice Observing Labs you’ve been learning the constellations for each season—ditto for Novice talks at UH—and at the Novice Telescope Lab, you’ve learned the basics of telescope operation.

My newbie test case, who has attended neither yet, completed 8 of 10 required objects on the winter list her first night out using only binoculars, the observatory 12.5" f/5 telescope, and a planisphere. With a little guidance, you can do it, too. Watch the website for details or send questions to Texas45@astronomyhouston.org.

The Novice Telescope Lab last month reported a full complement of attendees with four on the waiting list. The next class is 7-8:30 pm April 11, 2017 at the Mendenhall Community Center. Watch Netslyder, our email list, for the notice about making your RSVP.

Did you work on the new Women's & Family Bunkhouse? We're planning a big open house and the Prez wants to acknowledge you publicly. Please let me know if you helped, whether nailing, mudding, designing or schlepping. I've got some pictures with plenty of people helping throughout the last year but I don't recognize all of you by name. Don't be bashful. Let me know who you are at president@astronomyhouston.org.

The first class of the new observatory training was a huge success with twelve members attending and everyone passed! Speaking of passing, you have done your online site training, haven't you? The gate code is changing March 4, yikes. I know, I know, you haven't taken a test in 30 years and that was with paper and pencil. But really, it's an easy quiz and you get to miss two of ten and still pass. Lots going on at the dark site. You don’t want to miss it.