Join us at the Dark Site for a hands-on course for learning to navigate the night sky.  We won’t be able to have everyone share my scope, but if you have a scope of your own I can help you get started, or if not you can just enjoy the dark sky with your binoculars or naked eye and just begin learning your way around the constellations.  Make sure as always to bring your red flashlights and insect repellent, but also be sure to bring a folding chair to sit in, and some paper and pen/pencil. Schedule of activities is as follows:

5:30-6:30- detailed presentation on general sky mechanics plus a tour of the constellations
6:30-7:00 - constellation sketching - we will all begin working on the AL's Constellation Hunter program together
7:00-9:30 - time to observe! I will be available to assist anyone to practice locating objects with their scope, my scope, or binoculars. 
The program concludes in time for anyone who wishes to leave at the 10 pm light window. But of course, anyone is welcome to stay longer and observe.

Please RSVP to [email protected] so that we know how many people will be there for the class.  Clear skies!

Join the monthly Zoom meeting of the HAS Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) Special Interest Group (SIG). Come to discuss your own EAA projects, get advice from seasoned observers regarding EAA "observing", EAA equipment, or just hang out and listen. All knowledge and skill levels are welcome.

Email [email protected] for more information on how to join the Zoom meeting.

If the weather cooperates, let’s do a flash star party and bring your own picnic. If it’s a go, I’ll send a notice to all members via the usual channels: email, Facebook group, Discord, and this website.

You bring your own picnic: food to grill, or a picnic basket, or fast food from Columbus, and a chair. I’ll be at the picnic area by 2:30pm to open things up—come by and say hi, whether you’re cooking or not! We’ll start shutting down around 4:30pm so we can finish setting up on the observing field by sunset. 

Observing is your choice. However, if you’re interested in learning to view some great objects using binoculars, I’ll have the BINO SIG sign set up on the field. Just bring your binoculars and chair. I’ll have printed sky maps, red flashlights, and clip boards for us to use.

Rene Gedaly
Field Trip & Observing Chairperson
[email protected]

"Measuring Cosmic Distances"

by Bill Spizzirri

When we are at a dark sky area looking at the night sky, as beautiful as it may be, we are essentially seeing it only in 2D. Sure, the bright stars do seem a bit closer, but is that really the case?

Ancient Greek philosophers recognized the 2D appearance of the stars. In his model universe, Aristotle placed the stars on the inside of a crystal sphere a fixed distance from the Earth which they revolved around.

We now know much more about the universe than Aristotle ever would have imagined. Learning to measure cosmic distances was one of the keys that unlocked this knowledge, and is one of the more remarkable achievements of modern astronomy.

Bill Spizzirri will take us on a journey of discovery as he describes how modern astronomers measure cosmic distances. He will touch on the history of discovery, and describe some of the science behind the measuremts.

Our Speaker: Bill Spizzirri is a retired computer software engineer who has been studying astronomy for over 65 years. His favorite thing to do is to teach astronomy
to the public, especially children. He has been doing that more or less continuously for over 40 years. He now does it at Houston area schools and community centers. The pay is excellent, in the form of great questions from the students.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. To attend, 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.

TBD

You only need to register once!

Join us Thursday, May 4th, 2023 at 7:00 pm CDST. See you then!

"Measuring Cosmic Distances"

by Bill Spizzirri

When we are at a dark sky area looking at the night sky, as beautiful as it may be, we are essentially seeing it only in 2D. Sure, the bright stars do seem a bit closer, but is that really the case?

Ancient Greek philosophers recognized the 2D appearance of the stars. In his model universe, Aristotle placed the stars on the inside of a crystal sphere a fixed distance from the Earth which they revolved around.

We now know much more about the universe than Aristotle ever would have imagined. Learning to measure cosmic distances was one of the keys that unlocked this knowledge, and is one of the more remarkable achievements of modern astronomy.

Bill Spizzirri will take us on a journey of discovery as he describes how modern astronomers measure cosmic distances. He will touch on the history of discovery, and describe some of the science behind the measuremts.

Our Speaker: Bill Spizzirri is a retired computer software engineer who has been studying astronomy for over 65 years. His favorite thing to do is to teach astronomy
to the public, especially children. He has been doing that more or less continuously for over 40 years. He now does it at Houston area schools and community centers. The pay is excellent, in the form of great questions from the students.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. To attend, 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.

TBD

You only need to register once!

Join us Thursday, May 4th, 2023 at 7:00 pm CDST. See you then!