Everyone is invited to the HCAS Open House on Saturday, March 8, 2025. HCAS members will have their telescopes in the parking lot in front of the Observatory for observing planets, stars and nebulae. The large telescope in the dome will also be available. Stay tuned for updates on presentations and other activities!

Everyone is invited to the HCAS Open House on Saturday, February 8, 2025. HCAS members will have their telescopes in the parking lot in front of the Observatory for observing planets, stars and nebulae. The large telescope in the dome will also be available. Stay tuned for updates on presentations and other activities!

Everyone is invited to the HCAS Open House on Saturday, January 4, 2025. HCAS members will have their telescopes in the parking lot in front of the Observatory for observing planets, stars and nebulae. The large telescope in the dome will also be available. Stay tuned for updates on presentations and other activities!

Everyone is invited to the HCAS Open House on Saturday, December 7, 2024. HCAS members will have their telescopes in the parking lot in front of the Observatory for observing planets, stars and nebulae. The large telescope in the dome will also be available. Stay tuned for updates on presentations and other activities!

Agenda:

Review Agenda

• Approve previous meeting minutes

• Treasurer's Report

• Old Business:

• T-Shirt Orders

• General interest

• Order Form

• Sell additional for club funds?

• "Rent an Astronomer" Committee.

• New Business

• Upcoming Outreach Events:

• Pack 800 Tiger Scouts.

• Wednesday, 08Jan2025 1800 @Observatory

• Astronomical League Award Discussion: Jason Morton

• Round Table

• Adjourn

Everyone is invited to the HCAS Open House on Saturday, November 9, 2024. HCAS members will have their telescopes in the parking lot in front of the Observatory for observing planets, stars and nebulae. The large telescope in the dome will also be available. Stay tuned for updates on presentations and other activities!

Presentation:

So  You Want to Be An Astronomer!:-)

Abstract

 This presentation is a brief introduction to the amazing and exciting world of amateur astronomy.  It starts with a short overview of the history of astronomy and talks about some of the key historical figures.  We will talk about the different types of instruments that can be used to observe the night sky including binoculars, the different types of telescopes and even night vision scopes.   We will also discuss what sorts of things you can see in the night sky and talk about how and why what you see through an eye piece looks different than what you can see with a camera.   Finally, we will discuss light pollution and its negative effects as well as how to be safe while you are observing the night sky!   This talk is designed for curious kids of all ages, so be welcome and bring LOTS OF QUESTIONS!!

Everyone is invited to the HCAS Open House on Saturday, October 12, 2024. HCAS members will have their telescopes in the parking lot in front of the Observatory for observing planets, stars and nebulae. The large telescope in the dome will also be available. Stay tuned for updates on presentations and other activities!

Agenda:

• Review Agenda

• Approve previous meeting minutes

• Treasurer's Report

• Old Business:

• Status of Mount in Dome

• Update on Fundraising Plan

• New Business

• Upcoming Outreach Events:

• Klepsig Family Stargazing - 19Oct2024 2000 @ the Observatory

• Fallston Middle School 6th Grade Science Stargazing - 12Nov2024 1700 @ Fallston Middle School.

• T-Shirts

• General interest

• Order Form

• Sell additional for club funds?

• Astronomical League Award Discussion: Jason Morton

• Round Table

• Adjourn

Everyone is invited to the HCAS Open House on the last Saturday in January. HCAS members will have their telescopes in the parking lot in front of the Observatory for observing planets, stars and nebulae. The large telescope in the dome will also be available.

7:00 PM -Review Agenda

• Approve previous meeting minutes

• Treasurer's Report

• Old Business:

• Members Only Night?

• New Business:

• New Website

• New Communications (hafordastro.org email addresses)

• Collaboration Opportunities

• Teams for remote access to Meetings

• Content for YouTube Channel/Website

• APG STEM Day 2024

• Astronomical League Award Discussion: Jason Morton

• Round Table

• Adjourn

7:30 PM - “Narrowband filters in Astrophotography - The Science of How They Work and How to Pick the Right Ones” presented by Brent Mantooth

You can capture images from your back yard that look like something from the Hubble Space Telescope – if you use the right tools. This image of the Rosette Nebula was taken in Bel Air MD. A technique called Narrowband Imaging uses special filters to cut light pollution and transmit only the emission of specific gasses found in nebula which reveal these amazing images. This talk will cover how narrowband imaging works, how the filters work and factors you need to consider in selecting the right filters for your telescope and camera.

Everyone is invited to the HCAS Open House on Saturday, July 13, 2024. HCAS members will have their telescopes in the parking lot in front of the Observatory for observing planets, stars and nebulae. The large telescope in the dome will also be available. A thirty-minute slide show presentation on the sky, constellations, planets, and current topics will highlight the evening.