TABLE OF CON TEN T S APRIL 7, 2017 GENERAL MEETING U P C OMING E V ENT S 2 SPEAKER FOR MAIN MEETING IS FAMOUS S OCIET Y D IREC TO RY 3 AMATEUR ASTRONOMER: LARRY MITCHELL

P R ESID ENT ’S LET T E R 4 Larry Mitchell is known for his famous MAC catalog of galaxies (Mitchel Anonymous ANNO UNC E M ENT S 5 Catalog) found only on the Megastar Astronomy Program. He is the personal owner of A RT I C L E| NASA S PAC E 6 a 36" newtonian reflector, one of only a few built by Obsession telescopes many, many P L AC E A ST RO N OMY C LU B years ago. He is also known for his advanced observation programs which are DEEP SKY OBJECT OF THE MONTH 7 developed for those amateur astronomers who attend the Texas Star Party every year. Each advanced observing program is different with a different theme for each particular A ST ERISM 8 year. ABO U T T H E G UID ESTA R 9 His talk will focus on the not-so-well known Byurakan Observatory which is a ABOUT H.A.S. 10 professional astronomical observatory owned and operated by the Armenian Academy PARKING AT UH 11 of Sciences near Mt. Aragats in Western Armenia. The Byurakan observatory has an amazing history of brilliant Astronomers who were pioneers in the various fields of Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Cosmology and made some of the most 'landmark' discoveries in the history of modern Astronomy since its foundation in 1946 during the post WW II Soviet Union. Larry will give us a history of the observatory, its founders, pioneers, and achievements that continue to this day. This is an untold chapter in the world of Astronomy not known by most amateur Astronomers.

MARCH NOVICE PRESENTATION By Debbie Moran Justin McCollum (MS Physics, aka Professor Comet, HAS Program Director) is known for his Professor Comet reports that are focused purely on comets and which are available to see - the tips, tricks, tools, and resources to find and observe or photograph comets when they are available to observers in the Northern or Southern hemisphere (mostly Northern hemisphere). He is not only an employee with the Physics Dept. at Lamar University in charge of the academic development of the Physics laboratory program, but has been and continues to be a Building Manager and senior volunteer at the ABO U T TH E CO V E R HMNS George Observatory.

target/Other His talk will focus on Comets! What are they? How to Observe them? Comets are an important feature in the study of the development and evolution of the Solar System. Comets contain an amazing array of organic chemicals, water, and other such ancient chemicals that are essential for any life to develop on any planetary body. from a distance of about 53 miles (86 kilometers) from the However, the fun is being able to observe comets when they pass by the Earth and center of Comet 67P/Churyumov- swing around the Sun. Most amateur astronomers know only the basics about comets; Gerasimenko on March 14, 2015. which ones are observable, what dates & times to observe them, where to look, and how bright they will be. Most do not know how to predict when they will occur, how feet (7 meters) per pixel and is their paths will change, how to observe the details of a comet, or how to know the cropped and processed to bring out differences in a comet's appearance. This presentation will provide resources and tools that most people are not aware of and the minor, but very important techniques in studying these comets, even if it is only by visual observations!

HOU S TO N A S T RO N O MIC A L SOCI ETY 1 UPCOMING EVENTS

CALENDAR HAS MEETINGS All meetings are at the University APR 1 5:00 Mercury at greates MAY 2 9:47 p.m. First Quarter of Houston Science and Research elongation east Moon APR 3 1:39 p.m. First Quarter Moon building. See the last page for MAY 5 7:00 p.m. HAS Novice Meeting, APR 5 5:00 p.m. Jupiter at opposition directions to the location and more 7:00 p.m. HAS Novice Meeting, U of H information. U of H 8:00 p.m. HAS General Meeting, NOVICE MEETING 8:00 p.m. HAS General Meeting, U of H 7:00 P.M. room 117 Science & U of H MAY 10 4:42 p.m. Full Moon Research 1 Bldg APR 11 1:08 a.m. Full Moon

APR 15 6:45 p.m. Novice Lab, Columbus MAY 17 6:00 p.m. Mercury at greatest APR 17 1:00 a.m. Mercury at greatest elongation W GENERAL MEETING illuminated extent MAY 18 7:33 p.m. Last Quarter Moon 8:00 P.M room 117 Science & APR 19 2:57 a.m. Last Quarter Moon MAY 20 Prime Night, Columbus Research 1 Bldg APR 22 Prime Night, Columbus MAY 25 2:44 p.m. New Moon APR 26 7:16 a.m. New Moon GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING APR 29 11:00 p.m. Venus at greatest The Houston Astronomical Society illuminated extent holds its regular monthly General Membership Meeting on the first SEND CALENDAR EVENTS TO DOUG MCCORMICK Friday of each month, unless [email protected] FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON CLUB rescheduled due to a holiday or a EVENTS, GO TO ASTRONOMYHOUSTON.ORG conflict with other events at the University of Houston.

OTHER MEETINGS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING JOHNSON SPACE CENTER ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY | jscas.net The Board of Directors Meeting is held Meets in the the Lunar and Planetary Institute on the 2nd Friday of each month. on dates and at locations scheduled by the board. Information provided to GuideStar will be published. The FORT BEND ASTRONOMY CLUB | fbac.org/club_meetings.htm. meetings are open to all members Meets the third Friday of the month at 8:00 p.m. at the Houston Community of the Society in good standing. College Southwest Campus in Stafford, Texas. Attendance is encouraged.

NORTH HOUSTON ASTRONOMY CLUB | astronomyclub.org Houston Meets at 7:30 p.m. on the 4th Friday of each month in the Teaching Theatre Astronomical of the Student Center at Kingwood College. Call 281-312-1650 or E-mail Society [email protected].

BRAZOSPORT ASTRONOMY CLUB GuideStar_HAS Meets the third Tuesday of each month at the Brazosport planetarium at 7:45 p.m. The Brazosport planetarium is located at 400 College Boulevard, Clute, TX, 77531. For more information call 979-265-3376. STARLINE 832-go4-HAS0

HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 2 HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY DIRECTORY

DIRECTORS AT LARGE NOVICE DEBBIE MORAN URBAN OBSERVING STEVE MUNSEY WALT COONEY [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] H:713‐774‐0924 C:713‐562‐7670 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT ED FRAINI CHRIS OBER OBSERVATORY MIKE EDSTROM [email protected] [email protected] observatory@ astronomyhouston.org P: 832‐689‐4584 WOMEN’S SIG MARK FERRAZ RENE GEDALY [email protected] PROGRAM JUSTIN MCCOLLUM [email protected] [email protected] AMELIA GOLDBERG DEBBIE MORAN [email protected] [email protected] PUBLICITY BRAM WEISMAN [email protected] IDA REP DEBBIE MORAN BRAM WEISMAN [email protected] [email protected] TELESCOPE ALLEN WILKERSON OFFICERS [email protected] ADVISORS PRESIDENT RENE GEDALY P: 832‐ 265‐4773 DR. LAWRENCE PINSKY [email protected] University of Houston AD-HOC COMMITTEE VICE PRESIDENT DON SELLE CHAIRPERSONS BRIAN CUDNIK [email protected] AL COORDINATOR DOUG MCCORMICK Prairie View A&M University [email protected] SECRETARY ROB MOREHEAD HAS BOARD MEETING [email protected] AUDIO/VISUAL MICHAEL RAPP HAS Board meetings are scheduled [email protected] regularly. All members are invited to TREASURER JESSICA KINGSLEY attend these meetings, but only board [email protected] GUIDESTAR BOB WIESNER members can vote on issues brought [email protected] COMMITTEE before the board. Meetings are held at CHAIRPERSONS the Trini Mendenhall Community Center TEXAS 45 COORDINATOR RENE GEDALY (1414 Wirt Road) at 6:30 p.m. on the date AUDIT SCOTT MITCHELL [email protected] specified the calendar. [email protected]

WELCOMING EVELYN PENILLA EDUCATION & OUTREACH [email protected] DEBBIE MORAN & JOE KHALAF [email protected] HAS BOOKING STEVE GOLDBERG [email protected] [email protected]

FIELD TR./OBSG STEPHEN JONES VIDEOGRAPHY MARIO MORENO [email protected] [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP BILL KOWALCZYK WEB TECHNOLOGY MARK FERRAZ [email protected] [email protected] HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 3 PRESIDENT’S LETTER | BY RENE GEDALY

SIGs are Back That's Special Interest Groups or SIGs. We've had them before, in a galaxy far, far away. Now they're back and I'm especially excited about a new one being introduced by our Field Trip & Observing guy, Stephen Jones. Don’t miss his announcement elsewhere in this GuideStar.

HAS Youth A perennial question of astronomy groups everywhere has been how to get youth involved in our hobby. My answer has always been to go where they live, and if you have something to offer, they'll come visit you. It's a working strategy for HAS. They live online, of course. And we offer plenty.

At observatory training, from left: Bob Menius, Lauren Herrington, Karla Ziel- Karla Pale, our HAS intern, is giving her senior thesis ke, Steve Harris, Ed Fraini (trainer). Behind camera, Lisa Herrington Morgan. presentation on “Indirect Methods of Detecting Dark Matter” April 25 at The School of the Woods. We were Brand new member Lauren Herrington brought her mom hoping to have Karla speak to us at UH but she’s leaving to the second observatory training class. Mom had to soon on her way to university. As her field advisor, I’ll be come along because Lauren is just 15. They came early attending. Maybe I can do Facebook live. to help with bunkhouse work day, broke away to attend class in the observatory, and later that evening got to the Clay Parenti is a ninth grader at Westchester Academy for Novice Observing Lab on the field. Stephen Jones was so International Studies and has been active in astronomy, impressed by this accomplished young astronomer that picking up youth awards along the way. You’ve seen or he put her and her 8” scope to work showing beginning read about him in previous GuideStars. Clay spent a very observers the sky. If you've been to the dark site lately, or special spring break this year. Check out how later in this to a recent outreach event, or to a meeting at UH, you've issue. seen Lauren and mom Lisa. They're the ones in tie-dye.

Edgar Najera is a college student at Lone Star – University We have many student members in HAS; 55 in fact. If I Park and is also president of his astronomy club there. haven't mentioned your name, trust me, I've seen many of He spent a couple of nights over spring break at the you and know you’re active in outreach and such. Come say HAS Observatory, staying in the men's bunkhouse. Edgar hi and get as involved as you like or as your schedule allows. learned observatory operations in the first revamped Astronomy is a great hobby and we're glad you're a part training class in March. You may recall seeing a photo of of it. Who knows? You could grow up to be another HAS another LSC student at observatory training last month, legacy, like Field Trip & Observing Chair Stephen Jones. Megan Galvan at the C14.

HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 4 ANNOUNCEMENTS

VISUAL OBSERVING SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP by Stephen Jones WSIG/TEXAS 45 CLASS A

Greetings! My name is Stephen Jones, your friendly neighborhood Field Trip and GREAT EXPERIENCE by Rene Observing Chair here in HAS. In the years since I’ve returned to HAS after a long hiatus, Gedaly, WSIG Co-Chair and HAS TX45 one thing I’ve noticed is that when the club gets together at our monthly meetings, Coordinator there’s just not a whole lot of in-depth talk about observing. We talk about outreach, we From beginning 'til end last month, it was a talk about equipment, we may talk a LITTLE bit about a very basic observing topic at the whirlwind trip through the Texas 45 Winter Novice meeting, and then at the general meeting we discuss club organizational stuff and list. Not all of us made 10 objects—it was have a speaker talking about some astrophysical topic, or some current issue in the hobby, the first days of spring, after all. We all or just about anything other than observing. And yet… observing is at the very core of did, however, become hooked on visual who we are. The club exists because a bunch of observers came together and decided astronomy. to organize. The biggest reason beginners join a club like ours is because they bought a We started with an overview of the Texas 45 program requirements in the observatory, telescope, or think they want to buy a telescope, and want some guidance as to how to continued with planisphere and star chart use it. In short, they are joining us because they want to become OBSERVERS. So, as the skills, and then moved to the field for member of our leadership team in charge of observing, I have decided to do something naked eye and binocular observations. about this. By astronomical twilight no student was Today I am announcing the creation of the Houston Astronomical Society’s Visual interested in taking time to learn the C-14 Observing Special Interest Group (VSIG). The VSIG will be a subgroup of the club, open to go-to scope—they wanted to keep finding objects themselves. What a class! all members with interest in observing, with its own monthly meetings. These meetings Speaking of class, this first group of are not intended to replace or be alternatives to the Novice and General meetings, but students included Lisa Herrington, daughter rather to add to them. The VSIG meetings will be more of a seminar-type format than Lauren Herrington, Ingrid Schenkel, daughter the General and Novice meetings; instead of one speaker using almost the whole time Sophie Schenkel, Jenifer Head, boyfriend Lane with a limited time for questions, anyone in the group who wants to discuss their current Harrison, and Sherry Irby, who completed 10 observing projects or challenges can take a few minutes to present and discuss with the objects on the Texas 45 winter list her second group. Novices joining the group can seek advice with their observing aspirations or time out. Kudos to all! I'd also like to thank my WSIG questions about issues they’ve already experienced. Any topics about visual observing Co-chair Amelia Goldberg on her 8" pink (that is, eye to eyepiece, NOT astrophotography) are fair game: deep sky observing, scope and fellow instructor Steve Goldberg planetary observing, double or variable star observing… etc. The VSIG will meet on the on his 10" Dobsonian. They both gave much third Wednesday of each month at the Trini Mendenhall Community Center, 1414 Wirt appreciated one-on-one time with students. Road, at 7 pm. The first meeting will be April 19. Hope to see you there! As for me, I was back and forth between students using binoculars in the parking lot and showing others how to use their star charts with the observatory 12.5" reflector. From what I could see, we must have some serious writers in the group. I can hardly wait to read their logs. The date for the spring class is April 22 and you can RSVP now at renegedaly@ gmail.com. The Texas 45 class is conducted by the co-chairs of the WSIG (and draftees) and is open to all members of HAS. It seems two or so students per instructor is the sweet spot, so we won’t be able to expand the class to more than 6 students…unless we draft more instructors. Hmm.

HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 5 NASA SPACE PLACE ASTRONOMY CLUB ARTICLE

This article is provided by NASA Space Place. With articles, activities, crafts, games, and lesson plans, NASA Space Place encourages everyone to get excited about science and technology. Visit spaceplace.nasa.gov to explore space and Earth science!

WHAT IT’S LIKE ON A TRAPPIST-1 PLANET By Marcus Woo TRAPPIST-1, so from most planets, you can enjoy eclipses multiple times a week (they'd be more like transits, though, since they wouldn't cover the whole star). Looking away from the star on the dark side, you would see the outer- most planets in their full illuminated glory. They would be so close— only a few times the Earth- moon distance—that you could see continents, clouds, This artist's concept allows us to imagine what it would be like to stand on the surface of the exoplanet TRAPPIST-1f, located in the TRAPPIST-1 system in the constellation Aquarius. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/T. Pyle (IPAC) and other surface features. The constellations With seven Earth-sized feel its warmth, but because Moon always watches Earth. in the background would planets that could harbor it shines stronger in the If you're on the planet's dark appear as if someone had liquid water on their infrared, it would appear side, you'd be enveloped in bumped into them, jostling rocky, solid surfaces, the disproportionately dim. perpetual darkness—maybe the stars—a perspective TRAPPIST-1 planetary system "It would be a a good thing if you're an avid skewed by the 40-light-years might feel familiar. Yet the sort of an orangish-salmon stargazer. between TRAPPIST-1 and system, recently studied color—basically close to the If you're on some of Earth. Orion's belt is no by NASA’s Spitzer Space color of a lowwattage light the farther planets, though, longer aligned. One of his Telescope, is unmistakably bulb," says Robert Hurt, a the dark side might be too shoulders is lowered. alien: compact enough to visualization scientist for cold to survive. But on And, with the help fit inside Mercury's orbit, Caltech/IPAC, a NASA some of the inner planets, of binoculars, you might and surrounds an ultra-cool partner. Due to the lack of the dark side may be the even spot the sun as an dwarf star—not much bigger blue light from the star, the only comfortable place, inconspicuous yellow star: than Jupiter and much cooler sky would be bathed in a as the light side might be far, faint, but familiar. than the sun. pastel, orange hue. inhospitably hot. Want to teach kids If you stood on one But that's only if On any of the middle about exoplanets? Go to the of these worlds, the sky you're on the light side of planets, the light side would NASA Space Place and see overhead would look quite the planet. Because the offer a dramatic view of the our video called, “Searching different from our own. worlds are so close to inner planets as crescents, for other planets like ours”: Depending on which planet their star, they're tidally appearing even bigger https://spaceplace.nasa. you're on, the star would locked so that the same side than the moon on closest gov/exoplanetsnap/ appear several times bigger faces the star at all times, approach. The planets only than the sun. You would like how the Man on the take a few days to orbit HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 6 DEEP SKY OBJECT OF THE MONTH | STEPHEN JONES

OBJECTS: M65, M66, and NGC3628 (aka the Leo Trio) around 30 degrees from edge-on. Of the three galaxies, Constellation – Leo M65 has the least obvious detail for visual observers, TYPE: Spiral Galaxies though some have reported seeing dust lanes in scopes Magnitudes: M65 – 9.3, M66 – 8.9, NGC3628 – 9.5 over 16”. DISCOVERERS: M65 and M66 – Charles Messier, 1780; M66 is the brightest galaxy of the three, right NGC 3628 – William Herschel, 1784 next to a quite obvious y-shaped pattern of fairly bright EQUIPMENT NECESSARY: A small telescope should show stars. It appears oval in shape, with a fairly bright nucleus them from a dark site; larger scopes needed for finer in the center and fainter outer areas. In larger scopes, detail you may be able to tell that the brightness distribution is a little uneven; Photographs reveal that the reason for this One of my favorite groups of galaxies visible in the spring is that one of the main spiral arms is brighter and extends sky is this fine trio of bright galaxies near the hind- a bit further than the other. Astrophysicists theorize this quarters of the constellation Leo (that is, the eastern part is due to a past close encounter with NGC 3628. of the constellation). They are quite easy to find, about NGC 3628, though the faintest galaxy in the halfway in between Theta (θ) and Iota (ι) Leonis (see group, is perhaps the most interesting to look at. It is chart). almost perfectly edge-on to us, so we do not see a bright With a small telescope and low power, you may round nucleus or spiral arms here; instead, we see a big be able to fit all three galaxies in the same field. With dust lane right down the middle. Examining the galaxy larger scopes and higher powers, this may not be possible, with high power in a larger scope brings out the dust but instead the fun is in the detail visible in the individual lane very clearly. I recently spent a good bit of time on galaxies. this galaxy with the C14 in the observatory. I noted that M65 is a lovely spiral galaxy, fairly evenly bright. compared to other edge-on galaxies, this one appears You can see a bright central nucleus fading gradually very noticeably asymmetrical, with the dust lane looking outward. It is seen as oval in shape, because we are perhaps slightly warped. This also shows evidence of the seeing the relatively flat spiral galaxy at an inclination of past encounter between this galaxy and M66.

HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 7 ASTERISM | STEVE GOLDBERG

ASTERISMS – STAR GATE, STF 1659 ASTERISM: a grouping of stars that form a recognizable The constellation Corvus is located in our southern skies and is easily seen from our Observatory Dark Site. Locate pattern. the 2 most northern stars of the Corvus “square”, Delta CONSTELLATION: Corvus and Eta. Head towards M104. RIGHT ASCENSION: 12 h 35 m 59 s The distance to Star Gate is 72LY (light years). DECLINATION: -12o 03’ 09” The designation STF is Otto Struve’s catalog. Sometimes MAGNITUDE: 6.61 to 11.56 the designation ∑ Sigma is used for Struve objects. The

This asterism is composed of 6 stars. 3 bright stars that 82” telescope at McDonald Observatory in west Texas is form a triangle, and 3 dimmer stars that form a triangle named the “Otto Struve Telescope”. Struve was the inside the outer triangle. This asterism is located near first Observatory Director of McDonald. Messier 104. Here is a link to the Otto Struve telescope at McDonald Observatory. http://mcdonaldobservatory.org/research/telescopes/Struve

HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 8 ABOUT THE GUIDESTAR

The H.A.S. GuideStar is published MEMBER PROJECTS SPOTLIGHT monthly by the Houston Astronomical Society. All opinions expressed herein are those of the contributor and not necessarily of Houston Astronomical Society. The monthly Meeting Notice is included herein. GuideStar is available on the HAS web site to all members of H.A.S., and to persons interested in the organization’s activities. Contributions to GuideStar by members are encouraged. Electronic submission Image courtesy of wikimedia.org is helpful. Submit the article in text, We want to spotlight the astronomical projects and observations that you are working on. unformatted MS‐Word format via Send us an email at [email protected] and tell email GuideStar@astronomyhouston. us. Whether it be a specific research project in astronomy that you’re working on, org. Copy must be received by the an astro league observing program, an astrophotography project, or something 15th of the month for inclusion in else, let us know so we can let the rest of the society know. the issue to be available near the end of the same month. Or, bring copy GUIDESTAR ADVERTISING POLICIES to the General Membership Meeting PERSONAL ADVERTISEMENTS and give it to the Editor, or phone to • Members in good standing of the Houston Astronomical Society (HAS) may request make special arrangements. Contact that an ad be placed in the GuideStar for personal items (for sale or wanted). the editor for writting guidelines. • Items offered for sale must be of interest to amateur astronomers. • No more than two telescopes may be advertised within any calendar year. • Ads will not run for more than 3 consecutive months EDITING & PRODUCTION: • Ads will be run on a space-available basis. Bob Wiesner | 713‐240‐7059 • Ads must be provided to the editor in electronic format (email, text file) by the 15th of [email protected] the month preceding the month-of-issue. COMMERCIAL ADVERTISEMENTS • Advertisement sizes: o Full page = 6.875”w x 9”h o Half page = 6.875”w x 4.25” h o Quarter page = 3.31” w x 4.25” h (allows for column gutter) • Commercial advertisements will be run in the GuideStar at the following fee schedule: Size One time One quarter (3 consecutive months) Full page $100.00 $250.00 Half page $50.00 $125.00 Quarter page $25.00 $62.50 THE GUIDESTAR IS THE • Artwork provided must be in electronic format (image file, PDF, etc.) and must be in WINNER OF THE 2012 ASTRONOMICAL the correct proportions to fit the space provided. Contact editor with questions. LEAGUE • Artwork may be in color or in black and white. MABEL STERNS • Items or services advertised must be of interest to amateur astronomers NEWSLETTER AWARD • Payment for advertisements must be done in advance (pay to the ‘Houston Astronomical Society’) HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 9 ABOUT THE HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

HOUSTON THE HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY welcomes you to our ASTRONOMICAL organization. SOCIETY The HAS is a group of dedicated amateur astronomers, most of whom P.O. Box 800564 are observers, but some are armchair astronomers. Houston, TX 77280‐0564 The benefits of membership are: The Houston Astronomical Society is - Access to our 18 acre observing site west of Houston ‐‐ a non-profit corporation organized a great place to observe the universe! under section 501 (C) 3 of the - A telescope loaner program ‐‐ borrow a HAS telescope and Internal Revenue Code. The Society try observing for yourself! was formed for education and -A monthly novice meeting, site orientation meeting, and general meeting scientific purposes. All contributions with speakers of interest. Access to meeting videos on the HAS web site. and gifts are deductible for federal - Opportunities to participate in programs that promote astronomy to the income tax purposes. General general public (such as Star Parties at schools) membership meetings are open - A yearly all‐clubs meeting for Houston area organizations to the public and attendance is - Meet other amateurs and share experiences, learn techniques, encouraged. and swap stories You’re invited to attend our next meeting. You’ll have a great time! CHECK THE WEBSITE All members have the right to participate in Society functions and to use the ASTRONOMYHOUSTON.ORG Observatory Site. Regular and Student Members receive a subscription to The The HAS website not only has news and Reflector. The GuideStar, the monthly publication of the Houston Astronomical information about our society, but also Society is available on the web site. Associate Members, immediate family members a variety of features to manage your of a Regular Member, have all membership rights, but do not receive publications. membership and connect with other Sustaining members have the same rights as regular members with the additional dues club members. Current members can post photos, treated as a donation to the Society. Sky & Telescope and Astronomy magazines are trade gear, pay dues, manage discount available to members at a discount. magazine subscriptions, swap stories in the forum, and more. MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION Questions about the site? Need a hand You can join (or renew at the organization web site, www.astronomyhouston.org. Click to get your account set up? Contact the ‘Join HAS’ Tab. Send funds to address shown on last page of GuideStar. Attention [email protected]. - Treasurer, along with the following information: Name, Address, Phone Number, The HAS web site is the winner of the Special Interests in Astronomy, Do you own a Telescope? (If so, what kind?), and where 2012 Astronomical League award for you first heard of H.A.S. excellence

EVENT NOTIFICATION OR CANCELLATION To receive text messages, send any or all of HAS uses RAINEDOUT.NET to communicate late breaking updates about our various the following (one at a time) to 84483 OUTREACH events. . Message delivery is via text messaging and e-mail. There are several ways to Public Outreach Events STARPARTY Members only star Parties subscribe. If you would like to receive these notices via text messaging directly to your URBAN Urban Observing Events phone, subscribe to any of the sub-groups which interest you. MEETINGS HAS Meetings RainedOut notices will also automatically be sent to our e-mail list. Note that regular e-mail list conversations are not part of RainedOut communications and will You will receive a confirmation message not be sent to your phone as part of this service. Instructions to sign up for the e-mail back for each successful enrollment. list (a great way to keep your finger on the pulse of the club) are found here: For more information, please visit www. http://www.astronomyhouston.org/about/email-list. RainedOut.net.

HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 10 PARKING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON MAIN CAMPUS

DIRECTIONS TO MEETING From I‐45 going south (from downtown) - exit at Cullen Boulevard - turn right on Cullen - turn right on Holman Street; the parking lot is past the Hoffeinz Pavilion - Science and Research is across the street (2nd building back) From I‐45 going north (from NASA/Galveston) - exit at Cullen Boulevard - turn left on Cullen - turn right on Holman Street; the parking lot is past the Hoffeinz Pavilion - Science and Research is across the street (2nd building back)

PARKING AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON MAIN CAMPUS For the monthly Houston Astronomical Society Meeting The map below shows the location of the 15C parking lot, west of Cullen Boulevard on Holman Street.

The map is from the University of Houston web site and identifies the lot that is available for parking while attending the Houston Astronomical Society monthly meeting. This parking is available from 6:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on the Friday night of the HAS meeting (usually the first Friday of the month).

This parking is free. If you get a notice from the UH campus police on the night of the meeting, call the UH Security office and let them know that this area has been made available on HAS meeting night by the Parking Department.

HOUSTON ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 11