17-DEC-04, Kingwood, TX
The General Membership meeting voted to accept the following candidates to
executive board for 2005: President- Juan Carlos Reina, Vice President- Bill Leach, Secretary- Sue Wheatley,
Treasurer- Robert McMillan, Editor- Lorrie Patel, AL Coordinator- Aaron Clevenson,
Observation Committee Chair- Henry Norton, Webmaster- Ed Knapton,
Membership Committee Chair- Geraldina Reina, Program Committee Chair- Jessica Adams
DEC-04, New and Improved - The NHAC Observation Challenge.
In 2005, the NHAC Observation Committee in conjunction with the NHAC AL-Cor are bringing you our new and improved Observation Challenge program. The program consists of one challenge list for each month. The rules are the same as previously. Although the program will be formally unveiled in December, all of these lists are available now on the web site, under Observing / Challenge.
This program is designed for new observers. Like the old program, it will have certificates to honor member achievement of the challenges (after every 4 months). The new challenges are designed not to change from year to year (less maintenance) and there are two supplemental lists that can be used to compensate for any of the other requirements that are hard to get. The two additional lists are Lunar and Planetary. All of the lists tell you which objects belong to which Astronomical League Certifications, and which requirements they satisfy. For our program, all you need to do is find the objects and then check them off on the lists. Turn your completed lists in to the AL-Cor. But if you keep logs on your observations you will have a great start on one or more of the Astronomical League certifications.
30-OCT-04, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
On October 30, 2004, the Huntsville Area Astronomical Society and the Sam Houston State University held a star party at their observatory northwest of Huntsville. In the same tradition as the Astronomy Day Star Parties there were speakers, activities, and observing. It was informative and a lot of fun. NHAC was well represented. Due to the fullness of the moon, once it rose there was little else to look at, but participants did get to see other choice objects such as M39, M57, M13, Uranus and Neptune. Topics by the speakers included a talk on Mars and one on How to Make a Sundial.
27-OCT-04, Humble, TX
On October 27, 2004, the North Houston Astronomy Club and the Humble School District held a star party at their location of the future Humble ISD Astronomical Observatory; Jack Fields Elementary in Humble. Approximately 700 people came out to see the Lunar Eclipse. The few clouds the flitted through the sky were no match for the splendor of the event. NHAC astronomers brought their telescopes and binoculars, the school sold refreshments, and conservatively, I think it is safe to say: "It was a phenomenal success."
23-SEP-04, Katy, TX
The North Houston Astronomy Club and the Houston Astronomical Society jointly conducted a star party at the Sue Creech Elementary in Katy ISD. It was a great success! There were about 80 students; mostly third graders, 30 adults, and 8 teachers from the school. The principal was even there to introduce the activities.
The skies were not looking very promising at the start of the meeting. Heavy bands of clouds from Hurricane Ivan were rolling in with occasional sprinkles. We presented three of the Night Sky Network programs and about 15 minutes before the end the clouds parted and we were able to see the sky. 5 members of HAS brought out their telescopes and binoculars. The evening was crowned with some beautiful views of the moon and a green laser tour of the stars.
Kelsey Norton, a member of the North Houston Astronomy Club, and her partner Cleo Weber receive a commendation from the Humble Independent School District for placing FIRST at the Texas UIL "Reach for the Stars" Astronomy competition at Texas A&M University. They finished in First Place at the State level and beat out all other teams in the state in this written test of Astronomy Knowledge. Congratulations Kelsey and Cleo.
In the picture, from right to left, Dr. Guy Sconzo, Superintendent of Schools, Humble ISD; Cleo Weber from Riverwood Middle School; Kelsey Norton from Kingwood Ninth Grade Campus, and member of NHAC; and Aaron Clevenson, President of the Board of Trustees of Humble ISD, and Astronomical League Coordinator for NHAC.
