History of the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg:

By: Bob King & Jack Betz

And so it was. If ASH and its members thought they could relax and enjoy the newly dedicated observatory and rest on their laurels, they were sadly mistaken.

The dedication publicity brought heavy demands on our time and talent. Many groups wanted to visit the observatory and see the stars through our new telescopes. In addition to the demands for public observing, our speakers bureau talked to many groups at luncheons, dinners and meetings. Also, we were invited to speak to many schools science classes about astronomy.

During the Apollo missions we were involved with NASA's lunar watch program. We were one of 500 observatories worldwide which were selected to watch certain features on the moon while the spacecraft was orbiting the moon to watch for transient lunar phenomena.

Through Mrs. Winifred Cameron, a NASA astronomer and our speaker at our annual banquet, we became involved with two separate programs to detect transient lunar phenomena. By contact with Robert Dunham of the Naval Observatory we participated actively in their occultation timing program and furnished many timing reports. Also, many members initiated specific research and investigative programs. Some of them were in association with other amateur societies and individuals. Usually such activities were related to lunar and planetary observations. One program consisted of a photographic survey of Jupiter to determine the permanency of white spots in the atmospheric bands - a fact proved by some English astronomers before we could conclude our program.

Winifred Cameron sits with Jack Betz, then Society President, and Banquet Chair Margaret Black, Scanned in By TANII

Through such activities we helped each other to increase our knowledge and to help new members increase their knowledge and learn their way around the stars.

Astronomical topics were not our only activities. The need for permanent "facilities" became obvious with the first groups visiting our observatory. The 1968-69 winter clearly showed the need for a place to get warm on those cold, clear nights. Bert Asper's shack (normal capacity 2, emergency capacity on cold nights 10) was no longer sufficient; although the crowded conditions increased the friendliness of the observers. As soon as good weather arrived and we could raise a few dollars we started constructing the "operations" building. Ken McLaughlin kept furnishing concrete blocks as fast as we could place them. Al Speer did the plumbing and Bert Asper directed e operation and performed most of the skilled labor. Bert's skill was evident in his refusing to let a certain member lay block that could be seen and by directing him to work on the septic tank which would be buried. (Eventually he did let me work on the building.) Work was completed and the building occupied in 1970 to the great relief of all who had observed during the preceding winter.

We took time off from our labors to attend the Middle East Regional Convention in Baltimore where Ed Naylor was given a special award for his efforts in promoting amateur astronomy.

Many of us were preparing for the March 7, 1970, total solar eclipse. We selected an observing site at the northern edge of the Great Dismal Swamp in South Carolina, right on the centerline. Russell Maag visited us in December and gave much helpful advice for proper viewing and formulating programs. We formed our own expedition with about 20 members, each with his own specific program. Ed Lodi's large array of measuring devices was almost as impressive as the eclipse. He was trying to determined speed and velocity of the shadow bands. Unfortunately, light intensity changes were too great and too fast for the instrumentation. However, he was able to establish parameters for new equipment for future eclipses. Al Tucker secured great pictures of the solar corona in his attempt to track the solar wind through the corona. Jack Betz's clock-driven rotating camera mount holding telescopic cameras worked quite well in his attempt to photograph "sun circling" comets. Margaret Black's tape recording of the group's reaction to totality is a classic and should be preserved for posterity, added proof that sophistication and blase attitudes do not mix with eclipse watching.

In the fall of 1969, local Boy Scouts helped Ralph Wible, Ed Naylor and Gerry Gilbert in planting the pine trees destined to provide a shield from future local lighting. All during the construction periods the Junior Astronomical Society, after becoming a part of ASH, together with other junior members, contributed much labor and assistance.

All told, the years 1969 and 1970 were exceptionally busy years for ASH. While 1969 seemed demanding, 1970 was more so. From records kept of our activities during 1970, the membership had direct contact with over 3,000 individuals. With considerable cooperation all was accomplished with a membership of less than 90.