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As a large astronomy club serving a major US metropolitan area, HAS in a very real way has a schizophrenic identity. On the one hand, we have members who have spent much of their adult lives in the hobby and have been a part of HAS for decades.  On the other, we attract many new members every year, who are mostly younger, and many are just entering the hobby.

If you look at the demographics of HAS, nearly 50% of our members have been members for two years or less, and 80% have been members for less than 8 years. Yet it seems that our more experienced members (those with 5 or more years as members) seem to be our most active members. Looked at from this perspective, one could view our membership in terms of two main groups – the Old Guard and the Newbies. 

It also naturally leads to the question, with such a dichotomy in our membership, is HAS serving our members? In order to answer this question, we need to understand our members and what membership in HAS means to each group.

The Old Guard

It almost seems cliché that amateur astronomy is a “greying” hobby, doomed to diminish as the average age in the hobby increases year by year. Take a look around at a large star party, like TSP. The vast majority of attendees are baby boomers and older. Many are retired and enjoying a hobby they started in their early years. They were inspired by the birth and growth of the Space Age.

Many started in the hobby when owning good quality astronomy gear either required a large expense or meant that you spent the time and energy to build your own gear. Being a member of an astronomy club was one way to ensure you had access to bigger aperture equipment and the means to build your own. They got involved in amateur astronomy because it filled a need they had to personally experience the universe that was “expanding” before them as new astronomical discoveries were made and the Solar System was explored.

Access to good quality “scientific” information and data was not easy to come by, and astronomy clubs filled in the gap by accumulating libraries for their members use, publishing local newsletters filled with observing list and guides, tips on using and building astronomy equipment, and other information relevant to the hobby. Club meetings included talks by professional astronomers or experienced amateurs who could share the news of the latest discoveries. They organized star parties where normally solitary observers could converge and share observing experiences, new projects and new ideas.

The Newbies

 Flash forward to the first decade of the New Millennium. By 2010 good quality relatively inexpensive astronomy gear was common and easy to come by. It incorporated a great deal of new technology, which made setting up, aligning and finding deep space objects much easier than using manual methods. Coupled with a phenomenal amount of astronomy information on the internet, from professional tools and data, to how to videos on every aspect of amateur astronomy, our hobby has become much more accessible. These days, New Astronomers can become successful much quicker than their predecessors of the Old Guard.

Today the much of the experience of amateur astronomy is online. It is much different and easier to come by than it was for the Old Guard (many of whom are also no slouches at working it online too). It is possible to access professional level immersive simulations of planetary fly-bys using real data, rent and operate high end remote telescopes in great observing locations, and participate in observing sessions streaming online. Add in astronomy forums and social media groups and its easy to think of doing amateur astronomy from your home recliner, complete with an online virtual astronomy club meeting via social media.

So Where Does HAS Fit In?

Amateur astronomy in many respects is a solitary hobby. We learn about the science of astronomy mostly on our own. We plan and make most of our observations by ourselves. It is the nature of the beast. We take pride in our accomplishments. Sharing them with others who truly understand what it takes to make them adds a considerably to the experience of completing that observing list or completing that astro image you have worked so hard on. All of this can be done in an online forum, so where does HAS fit in?

I’m a tail end Baby Boomer so while I am a member of the Old Guard by age, I started in astronomy in 2003, and see amateur astronomy a bit more from the perspective of the Newbies. The internet and astronomy technology have always been a part of my astronomy experience. That said, what has been most important to me has been my direct personal experience with the universe, through the eyepiece or the camera on my telescope. So has the sense of community I have from being a part of HAS, and sharing these experiences directly with other HAS members.

There is something almost magic that happens when you observe the universe with your own eyes, and understand what you are observing because you know the science behind it. Some of my most memorable observations with my own eyes have been observing an Active Galactic Nucleus in outburst over 12 billion light years away, or a super nova in M51 or the results of the Deep Impact mission or the transit of Venus. All of these observations I made were facilitated by more experienced HAS members at the Columbus dark site, or at an HAS event.

Whats in it for HAS for its Members?

Which brings us back to our question; is HAS fully serving its members? I believe the answer is a qualified yes. We are, but we could do better.

For both Newbies and Old Guard Members, operation and maintenance of our Columbus dark site and observatory is one of the main things that HAS does for all of our members. Dubbed “HAStronomy Village” it’s a unique facility which provides our members with a safe, well equipped and reasonably dark place to observe, within a 2 hour or less  drive from almost everywhere in the Houston area.

In recent years, the facilities have been significantly upgraded and made more woman and family friendly. As a result, on any good observing weekend, its common to find 30 or more members using it, and  a true “community of observers” has developed who meet regularly at the site.

If you are new to HAS make it a point to get to the site – no experience is necessary. On a good night there will be plenty of people around to show and share the night sky with you.

In addition, HAS has several programs aimed at New Astronomers, like our telescope loaner program. Not only can you borrow a scope from HAS, but Loaner Scope Chairman Allen Wilkerson will give you a lesson in how to set it up, adjust it and use it before you check it out. Learn how to observe before you spend your money on a telescope. In addition to the loaner scope program, we have several other programs and events aimed directly at New Astronomers. These include:

  • BYOT events – bring your own telescope and we will help you learn how to set it up, adjust it and use it.
  • Urban Observing – HAS has scouted out a couple of sites around the city where we can hold “pop-up” star parties. Because they are in town, they are easier to get to than traveling to Columbus. There are typically experienced amateurs there to help you learn. There is also safety in numbers, knowing that there will be other HAS members there too.
  • Novice Labs – Stephen Jones has been running periodic Novice Labs at the dark site. This is a good way for New Astronomers to access the site for the first time, since there is always a caravan in to the site from an easy to find location in town Columbus

For the Old-Guard

It is said that to live a full life, a person should spend the first third learning, the second third doing and the last third teaching. In addition to the Columbus dark site, there are lots of opportunities to mentor New Astronomers.

We need you to get involved in training New Astronomers. Volunteer to help Allen Wilkerson with loaner scope training, at a BYOT event or help Stephen Jones with the Novice Labs. Call for a “popup urban star party” and help New Astronomers gather and teach them how to observe.  The rewards for doing so can be immense and will ensure that Amateur Astronomy remains a vibrant and fulfilling hobby. At the same time, you will be ensuring that HAS fulfills its mission to “Foster the Science and Art of Astronomy through Programs that Serve Our Membership and the Community”.