The sky is filled with mysteries.
For instance, is the moon really made of cheese? Does that Orion guy actually have a belt? And is there any chance the Milky Way Galaxy is where those delicious caramel chocolate candies came from?
But unless you’re an astronomer by trade or hobby, the answers to those burning questions seem about as distant as the little planets that appear in the viewfinder of a telescope. Lucky for all of us space newbies, there’s a group that wants to help enhance your passion and knowledge for constellations, planets and showers made of meteors – although we don’t recommend standing under them.
“Our goal is to educate people and make astronomy a friendly endeavor for everybody,” said New Hampshire Astronomical Society president Ted Blank.
NHAS was founded a way long time ago and has been spreading the good word of space ever since. And here’s a fun fact – it was actually originally called the Concord Astronomy Club, and the first official meeting took place at the former Conant School in 1979. It started with a group of Concord area locals who simply loved starring into space – and not just in the middle of a boring conversation.
“I was teaching astronomy and I wanted to foster more interest in astronomy,” said Bob Veilleux, one of the club’s early members and current volunteer at the Discovery Center.
They got together for monthly meetings and observation functions, but a lot has changed since those early days. The name, of course, is the biggest one, but that was done because the popularity of the group spread far beyond the capital region and it seemed as though a more state wide name would better serve the direction of the club, which is now considered a society.
“There was just a handful of members early on,” Veilleux said.
Nowadays, NHAS is about 130 members strong and does whatever it can to further the public’s interest in the field of astronomy. Members travel to schools and meet with cub scouts, they host night viewing events at the Discovery Center right here in Concord and at libraries around the state, and if you’ve checked out the Orion StarBlast 4.5-inch Telescope from the Concord Library, they’re responsible for that, too.
“The main purpose is public outreach,” said Paul Winalski, the society’s secretary. “Getting people interested in astronomy and getting people exposed to looking at the sky through a telescope.”
They’ve actually put more than 100 telescopes in libraries around the state since their Library Telescope Program began in 2008. It was the brainchild of NHAS member Marc Stowbridge, after he wanted his hometown library in Tamworth to have one that people could check out like a book. And in case you missed our story about the Concord Library receiving a shiny new telescope in September, first,shame on you, but they also just happened to be the lucky library to land the milestone 100th telescope of the program.
“The program has just blossomed like you wouldn’t believe over the last few years,” Winalski said. “Probably more towns in New Hampshire have telescopes than don’t.”
So what happens is that libraries request one of the sky viewers and three times a year, society members gather to complete modifications that make the telescopes more user friendly for the novice star gazer. They add a zoom lens and view finder so there’s no need for switching of any parts, along with a moon map, head lamp and a guide to the constellations. It all comes in one neat package that can be yours for a week free of charge, but you do have to bring it back or be subject to late fees and librarian ridicule. Some of the telescopes are donated by the society, but most are paid for by friends of the library programs.
“Clubs in other states have adopted the program,” Blank said.
But that’s just one of the many cool things this group likes to do. If you happen to be free the first Friday of the month, swing on down to the Discovery Center and see for yourself. Manned with their own personal telescopes for a public observing session, they offer tips when viewing the sky and will help you figure out what exactly it is you’re looking at. Because to the untrained eye, a group of stars well, looks just like a group of stars. Just FYI, that’s not the case. Those stars have names.
“I knew as little as you could possibly know,” Blank said. “The sky was beautiful, but it was a mystery.”
And if you have a telescope lying around your attic, but have no idea how to use it, NHAS can help with that too. Just be prepared to have plenty of attention when you bust it out.
“The problem when you show up with a telescope is you might be surrounded by nine or 10 people,” Winalski said.
To join the society, it costs a whopping $30 a year, and just $15 for students under the age of 18. Your annual dues entitle each member to a copy of the monthly newsletter, substantial discounts on Sky and Telescope and Astronomy magazines, and use of the loaner telescopes – as well as access to the club observatory in Hillsborough. The Young’s Farm Observing Site is leased to the society for $1 a year (talk about a steep price) and gives members an opportunity to get some great observation time in a spot that has very little light interruption, except of course during the day time hours. The observatory has a roll-off roof, two telescopes, including one that can be moved outside, along with a work station and plenty of storage.
“That’s one of the great benefits of your membership,” said Winalski.
There’s also a warming hut with nearly all the comforts of home. It’s insulated, has electricity, a small propane heater, a radio, computer, coffee pot and a small microwave. There’s even a toilet.
“You can go there for an extended evening,” Blank said.
If we haven’t got you interested yet, we’re not sure what will. But maybe the best part about being a member is the vast knowledge available at all times. And everyone is more than willing to share – all you have to do is ask.
“We all have expertise in different areas of the field of astronomy,” Winalski said. “I didn’t know much about how to discover things, but you can pick up all those little rules. You can go in as a newbie and come out as an expert.”
“As soon as I know something, I have a burning desire to share it with others,” Blank said.
For more on NHAS or to join, visit nhastro.com.
