HAL February Members Meeting – February 12 at 7 PM (RNC)
j...@tomney.com
Dear HAL Members,
Our February Members Meeting is coming up Thursday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the Robinson Nature Center, and while we don’t have a single featured speaker this month, we do have a terrific lineup of short, engaging presentations and updates that showcase the depth and energy of our club.
Along with our regular favorites (Book of the Month, Members’ Astrophotos, Star Party Updates, and Shallow Skies) we have several special segments planned:
🔭 HAL Winter 2026 Auction Update
The HAL Winter Auction is live now and open for bidding! Last year HAL received a donation of some very “top drawer” imaging rig. This is your chance to pick up a camera, filters, or maybe even a quality imaging telescope at bargain prices. We’ll highlight some of the standout equipment available and show how easy it is to bid right from your phone at the meeting.
But you don’t have to wait – you can go online and place your bids now or simply browse the items on the auction block at https://go.rallyup.com/9d4d9a
🌟 Astronomical League Overview with Aldis Berzins
Our new ALCOR representative, Aldis Berzins, will give a brief overview of the Astronomical League and the benefits you receive as a HAL member – including observing programs, awards, and national resources you may not be taking advantage of.
🛰️ Pulsar Research with Arjun Sundar
HAL member Arjun Sundar will share highlights from his work with the Pulsar Science Collaboratory, where he analyzed Green Bank Telescope survey data to identify potential new pulsars.
He’ll also talk about his week at the Green Bank Observatory summer camp, where he worked on timing fast radio bursts and determining their distances. It’s a fantastic example of student‑driven research, and we’re excited to have him present his experience.
💡 “Did You Know…?” – New Member Benefits Spotlight
We’re launching a new occasional segment to highlight benefits you may not know you have as a HAL member.
This month’s topic: The Seestar S50 Loan Program—a great way to try out smart astrophotography without investing in new gear.
🌙 Artemis Mission Preview
We’ll take a few minutes to look ahead to NASA’s upcoming Artemis mission, including a short NASA video featuring HAL member Ernie Wright, who explains how this lunar flyby differs from the historic 1968 Apollo mission.
📸 Call for Members’ Astrophotos
Even with the challenging winter weather, if you’ve captured any astronomy‑related image – an astrophoto, a sketch, or even astro‑art – here’s your chance to share it with your peers.
Please send your submission directly to pres...@howardastro.org for inclusion in the Members’ Astrophotos segment (please do not reply-all to this email).
I hope you’ll join us for a lively and informative evening. As always, guests are welcome – bring a friend who might enjoy learning more about astronomy and the HAL community!
Clear skies,
Jim Tomney
Jim Tomney
HAL President
