HAS Texas 45 Observing Program

Announcing the HAS Texas 45 Progression

Are you new to observing? Would you like to dip your toes into a structured observing program? Why not try the Texas 45 fifteen objects at a time? It’s the same list ordered in increasing level of difficulty. Scroll to the bottom of the page to download the object lists and log sheets.

HAS Novice 15 ==> HAS Novice 30 ==> HAS Texas 45 bronze|silver|gold

Questions? Contact Rene Gedaly at Texas45@astronomyhouston.org. The Novice presentation on the Texas 45 progression is in the members-only view of the website. It covers not only the new progression, but how to approach any observing list. Log in and click Recorded HAS Presentations from the sidebar under MEMBER FEATURES. 

Honor Roll

The following members have completed the HAS Texas 45 observing program. Congratulations!

  • Steve Fast, gold level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #1
  • Rob Torrey, silver level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects, go-to or mix of go-to and star hopping, certificate #2
  • Rene Gedaly, Texas 45 author, gold level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #3
  • Chris Thiede, gold level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #4
  • Amelia Goldberg, silver level award, 40 out of 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #5
  • Craig Lamison, silver level award, 40 out of 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #6
  • Clayton Jeter, gold level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #7
  • Brian Cudnik, silver level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects, go-to or mix of go-to and star hopping, certificate #8
  • Steve Goldberg, silver level award, 40 out of 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #9
  • Craig Lamison, gold level award, certificate #10. Also certificate #6 for the silver.

~~~ UNDER CONSTRUCTION ~~~ UNDER CONSTRUCTION ~~~ UNDER CONSTRUCTION ~~~ UNDER CONSTRUCTION ~~~

Here's what the award looks like, suitable for framing:
Hafway There.PNG

** Need a little help finding the easier objects? **
Download the monthly SkyMaps to help you find the brighter list objects: http://www.skymaps.com/downloads.html

What kind of objects will I be looking for?

The Texas 45 is an observing program designed for the motivated novice and intermediate observer so we want to make sure you see a wide variety of objects. The object list includes: planetary nebulae, diffuse nebulae, open star clusters, globular star clusters, galaxies, a carbon star, variable stars, multiple star systems, constellations, solar system objects, and a white dwarf. Special emphasis is placed on southern objects like Omega Centauri, easily viewed from Columbus. How cool is that?

What kind of telescope can I use? How about binoculars?

Any size telescope can be used—GoTo, PushTo, or manual. Binoculars can be used for a number of list objects. A few observations do require at least a 6" aperture telescope. With 60 objects to choose from and only 45 to log, choose the bigger or brighter objects if aperture is a concern.

I’m in! What do I need to do?

  • Observe list objects at the HAS observing site only.
  • Complete the dark site log report on the website for each observing session.
  • Observe at least 10 objects from each season's list. That’s 40 objects, 10 each from winter, spring, summer, and autumn.
  • Observe 5 solar system objects of your choice, any time of year. That makes 45 objects: the HAS Texas 45.
  • Record your observations and send the completed log to the HAS Texas 45 program coordinator.

Special circumstances?

If you’ve already observed some objects at the site, fill out the HAS Texas 45 observation log like usual, estimating when you were at the site. Also, non-members are welcome to work on the list in the company of an HAS member. Special rules may apply.

Do I get an award?

Observers who successfully complete the HAS Texas 45 observing program will be presented both a pin and a certificate of completion at the HAS general membership meeting.

  • Earn the bronze certificate by observing 45 objects, electronic finding aids or go-to telescope okay.
  • Earn the silver certificate by observing either (a) 45 objects using star hopping only, or (b) all 65 objects using go-to or electronic finding aids.
  • Go for the gold by observing all 65 objects using the star hopping method only. Certificates designate the award level; the pin remains the same

.tx45logosmall.jpg               YourNameHere.jpg

    Questions?

    Contact Rene Gedaly at Texas45@astronomyhouston.org with questions about the HAS Texas 45 program. Contact Chris Ober at ChrisO@astronomyhouston.org with questions about observatory site operations.

    The HAS Texas 45 is dedicated to the memory of Bob Rogers.

    Honor Roll

    The following members have completed the HAS Texas 45 observing program. Congratulations!

    • Steve Fast, gold level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #1
    • Rob Torrey, silver level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects, go-to or mix of go-to and star hopping, certificate #2
    • Rene Gedaly, Texas 45 author, gold level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #3
    • Chris Thiede, gold level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #4
    • Amelia Goldberg, silver level award, 40 out of 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #5
    • Craig Lamison, silver level award, 40 out of 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #6
    • Clayton Jeter, gold level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #7
    • Brian Cudnik, silver level award, all 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects, go-to or mix of go-to and star hopping, certificate #8
    • Steve Goldberg, silver level award, 40 out of 60 seasonal objects plus 5 solar system objects via star hopping only, certificate #9
    • Craig Lamison, gold level award, certificate #10. Also certificate #6 for the silver.

    Science Hobbyists Needed for a National Study

    This may be of interest to some club members:

    Are you a science hobbyist? We need your help with a new National Science Foundation sponsored research study that will investigate the characteristics and educational experiences of people who are active in science hobbies. More and more people are engaging in science hobbies; schools and science centers would like to know more about the characteristics of science hobbyists and how these organizations might better support hobbyists’ networking and education.

    Monitoring Space Radiation on the ISS

    General Meeting Topic
    Monitoring Space Radiation on the ISS
    General Meeting Speaker
    Larry Pinsky
    Novice Meeting Topic
    Life Cycle of Stars, Putting your Observing in Context
    Novice Meeting Speaker
    Debbie Moran

    The radiation environment in space is very different than anything routinely encountered on Earth. This makes assessing the risk of the exposure problematic, and presents special requirements for dosimetry measurements. Recently, the Relativistic Heavy Ion Group at the University of Houston has engaged in adapting the active pixel detector technology used in the major experiments at the Large Hadron Collider at the CERN laboratory in Geneva, Switzerland to the development of space radiation detectors. Currently there are 5 such detectors deployed and taking data on the ISS, and evolutions of these basic devices are planned to be used on the upcoming test of the new US manned spacecraft, the Orion module, during its first unmanned test flight. Beyond that, NASA has plans to deploy future incarnations of the technology as personal battery-powered wireless dosimeters and permanent built-in area monitors. Plans are also in the works to use the 5 existing units onboard the ISS to monitor the radiation environment in the test of the first inflatable habitat module.

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