We have found our new meeting location! It is the Ponderosa Fire Station training room at 17061 Rolling Creek Drive (map). 

Thanks to Loyd Overcash for helping us secure the fire station! It’s just West of Interstate 45, 1 block north of FM 1960. Park to the north of the fire station – we may also use the adjoining business lot after 5:30 p.m. There is a lot of room so bring some friends! We won’t have food available at this meeting, so be sure to eat before you arrive. You may also attend the meeting via Zoom:

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83948067703?pwd=VzNpNk1wRnQwWWNjOEJUb25VSSsvUT09

Meeting ID: 839 4806 7703
Passcode: 678457

FYI session – 6:30pm Rob Brayton will talk about how to use the Raspberry Pi for astronomy.

Main presentation – 7:30pm Lisa Koerner, Associate Professor of Physics, University  of Houston.

A Tour of Neutrino Physics

I grew up and attended college in Tennessee, then moved to Long Island, New York, where I got my PhD in Physics at Stony Brook University and worked as a postdoctoral researcher at Brookhaven National Lab.  After that, I moved to Houston in 2011, where I’m a professor in the Physics Department at University of Houston.  My research is in the area of experimental particle physics, focusing on neutrinos.  I’ve worked on neutrino physics projects in the US, Japan, and China, and I’m looking forward to sharing the discoveries of this field with you.

FYI session – 6:30pm Rob Brayton will talk about how to use the Raspberry Pi for astronomy.

Main presentation – 7:30pm Mike Prokosch, “Sam Houston State University (SHSU) Observatory: A New Beginning”

The SHSU Observatory is getting a new dome, possibly a new telescope, and a new mission. Join us as Observatory Director, Mike Prokosch tells us about what is happening in nearby Huntsville.

Mike Prokosch Bio

If you were to ask me to tell you where my favorite place is on this pale blue dot, I could tell you my house but more likely I’ll talk your ear off about the Sam Houston State Observatory…or the SHSU Planetarium.  It kinda depends on the weather.  We don’t have the darkest skies or the largest telescope and our planetarium is by no means the biggest theater, but a visit to either place is something our students and guests remember fondly, often returning for either the incredible “knock your socks off” views through our telescopes or for one of our spectacular planetarium shows.

I have worked for the SHSU Physics department since Fall of 2002 and I feel fortunate that I have been able to see and do so many different things.  If you really want a complete list of programs and projects I’ve worked on I’d be happy to share it with you if you have a cup of coffee, but I’d have to say by far the single best thing has been participating as an ambassador in the ACEAP 2015 cohort which has in turn lead to many other opportunities.  More recently I have worked on the IDATA project first as a teacher and again as a developer.  Between that, the local Huntsville Amateur Astronomy Society, planetarium shows, and the occasional newspaper article, I stay pretty busy. Now as the Director of the SHSU Observatory and Planetarium I’d like to take the opportunity to invite you to pay us a visit.  

*Not responsible for the loss of any socks.

We will be virtual for this meeting, but are working to find a place to meet in person in April!

6:30 PM – FYI Novice Talk     Join us as Aaron Clevenson talks about the Messier Marathon coming up at the end of this month. Find out all you need to know to get ready to observe!

7:30 PM – Main Presentation by Chris Morisette

My Observatory – Getting from Concept to Capture
Chris describes the process he used to determine what kind of system he needed in order to do astrophotography. He will discuss the steps and challenges encountered when actually getting the observatory to work. While his goal was astrophotography many of these steps can be applied when putting together a system for visual observing.

Bio:
“I worked for Shell Oil for 34 years as an engineer and manager and am now happily retired. I’m married, with two kids, and three grandchildren. I love hiking, photography, and astronomy. I’m active in the Houston Astronomical Society, North Houston Astronomy Club, and the Fort Bend Astronomy Club. I’m also a member of the University of Texas Astronomy Department Board of Visitors. I enjoy volunteering at the George Observatory on Saturday nights. Engaging with our visitors and operating the telescopes is a lot of fun.”