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.

" Filters for the Enhancement of Visual Astronomy"

A person with a mustache wearing glasses

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By: Kenneth Drake

Various filters are typically used to aid in visual astronomy. As background to understanding how filters help Kenneth will discuss details of our eyes such as the functions of the retina and iris rods and cones, Rhodopsin (Visual Purple). He will also describe the concepts of adaption range, dark adaption, and averted vision.

Kenneth will also discuss the use of color filters for enhancement of details on solar system objects, and the use of interference filters for the enhancement of nebulae, both emission and planetary. In addition, he will discuss the use of light pollution rejection filters as well as the meaning of bandpass and per cent of transmission.

Speaker Bio: Kenneth Drake (affectionately known as Drako) is a native Houstonian who lived in H-town until 1978 when he moved to the Conroe area, 40 miles north of Houston. Not only is he a native Houstonian, but he is also a 6th generation Texan with Cherokee Indian roots, and a direct descendant of Giovanni Battista Hodierna, an Italian astronomer of the 17th century who cataloged celestial objects prior to Messier. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giovanni_Battista_Hodierna

Kenneth graduated from Bellaire High School and worked with Bellaire a/c and heating while still a student. He later spent several years with Camera Supply and spent several years in maintenance at the Host Airport Hotel, repairing large laundry equipment, the turntable at CK's Restaurant, and general room A/C repairs. For the next 40 years, Kenneth did appliance repair for Sears.

His hobbies have included target shooting, hunting, photography (no astro-photography), gardening, and hiking. Astronomy was added in 1983. That love really began in his pre-teen years as during summers spent near Weches, Texas, under very dark skies. Kenneth has spent the last 40+ years exploring many branches of the astronomical tree.

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To see the video, click Filters for the Enhancement of Visual Astronomy".

Teton County in Wyoming just became the first county in the US to be certified as an International Dark Sky Community.

It also added the world's first Dark Sky airport.

To see the article, click the image. Or here.

" Your Very Own Planetarium "

A person standing on a rocky mountain with a body of water in the background

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By: Chris Morisette

Planetarium applications are widely used by astronomers, educators, and enthusiasts to explore the universe, plan stargazing sessions, and visualize celestial events. In this month’s Novice Meeting Chris Morisette will present a brief overview of the functionality of planetarium apps, then dive into a demonstration of Stellarium where parameters such as time, location, and Bortle rating will be adjusted in order to get a dynamic view of the night sky.

Speaker Bio: 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 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 Your Very Own Planetarium

“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 .