March 2005 Update
The fund raising process has begun. The consultant is on-board, the committee has been established, the brochure is done, and solicitations of foundations have begun.
The Humble ISD Education Foundation has announced that the first award of the “Challenge Your Dreams” grant will be an Astronomical Observatory, which will be used by science classes throughout Humble ISD, Kingwood College, the North Houston Astronomy Club, and by various community groups and organizations.
To contribute to this project see: How You Can Help
February 2005 Update
The Humble ISD Education Foundation has begun getting together the committee of folks who will be contacting individuals, companies, and foundations to secure grants for the construction and outfitting of the observatory. They are going for the big donors, but all donations are welcome. If you want to have one of the principle telescopes, or perhaps the entire observatory named after you, there are opportunities...
Site plan pictures.
January 2005 Update
Big things have happened in the last month. The Humble ISD School Board approved the project and formally accepted the grant from the Education Foundation. The Humble ISD Education Foundation has begun the process of fund raising by hiring a consultant to help them go for the major donors. Pending final approval from the district Facilities Department, the location will be Fields Elementary, and the Board has said that the Foundation can offer naming rights as an incentive in fund raising, pending the Board's Final Approval of the name and its adherence to Board Policy at the time. The telescopes at this time look like a 16" Ritchie-Chretien, two 14" Meade LX-200s, a 26" Dobsonian, and a 5" Takahashi refractor. This list changes from time to time. The architectural plan has been modified to include a 10-foot dome nest to the main observatory (sliding roof).
December 2004 Update
The Humble ISD Education Foundation has approved the selection of a professional fundraiser to help raise the funds for the observatory. He is estimating that it could take anywhere from one to two years to gather the funds. The Humble ISD Board of Trustees reviewed the proposal in November, and is scheduled to vote on the new observatory at the December meeting. Aaron Clevenson, Michael and Judy Dye (HAS) and Joby Copley (the architect) went out to the HAS observatory in Columbus to see their building and its roll-off roof.
November 2004 Update
The Humble ISD Education Foundation has interviewed professional fund raisers to participate in the campaign to raise the funds necessary to open the Observatory. They are in the process of determining their path forward and it is expected that the process will be moving forward in January. Exciting times ahead!
October 2004 Update
Planning continues. The Foundation is considering hiring a consultant to help us get grants to pay for the observatory. Jeff Winship and Aaron Clevenson had a live observing session at the Jack Fields Elementary to "test the skies" at the site. There is serious sky glow in the south and some in the west. The east and north are great. No local lighting.
The first official NHAC Star Party will be at the observatory for the Lunar Eclipse on the evening of 10/27. Plan to come, bring a scope, and part with us. Remember to bring a friend to share the excitement.
September 2004 Update
The first donation has come in for $25.00. This means that there is only $399,975.00 to go. A 13-inch Dobsonian Telescope has also been donated to the Education Foundation. This scope will be loaned to the Astronomy Club until the Observatory is built.
August 2004 Update
The Humble ISD Education Foundation has met and discussed plans and means for raising the money for the Observatory. I suggested that we could have a donor board ("Our Galaxy") that should have engraved stars for each donors ("Supernovas", "Novas", Shooting Stars", etc.).
July Update:
All lights are green, except for funding. Dr. Sconzo, the Superintendent of Schools for Humble ISD presented our proposal to the School District's Administration. Aaron Clevenson then presented it to the School Board. We have heard lots of encouraging words, and no major concerns. All that remains at this point is for the Humble ISD Education Foundation to fund the project. Thanks to Jeff Winship for his outstanding work on creating an animated 3-D visual aid.
June Update:
Full-scale planning is underway. Members of NHAC met with employees of Humble ISD, the Education Foundation, and an architect to review the proposed observatory building. The site was approved: Jack Fields Elementary; the design was approved; the equipment list was reviewed; telescope vendors have been contacted; fund raising has begun; a presentation is being developed; and the Humble ISD leadership is being informed of the plans. Those astronomers participating were: Henry Norton, Kelsey Norton, Jeff Winship, and Aaron Clevenson.
Planning is underway for the Humble ISD Astronomical Observatory. Five astronomers from NHAC have recommended a site to the Humble ISD Education Foundation: Jack Fields Elementary. It is under review. Those participating were: Helen Dorsi, Jean Dorsi, Paul Downing, Jeff Winship, and Aaron Clevenson.
