Texas Astronomical Society

Welcome

The Texas Astronomical Society was chartered in 1955 to promote the study of astronomy and related fields and to pursue observation and construction of instruments as a hobby. Membership is open to anyone having an interest in astronomy and related subjects and includes benefits such as a our monthly newsletter, discounts to the top astronomy magazines, access to our dark sky observing site and many more.

Please visit the Club Information section for more on TAS and to download a TAS Information Packet and Brochure.

We invite you to explore our website for more information and hope you consider joining our organization.

TAS Recurring Star Parties

TAS holds 4 regular monthly Star Parties where our members get together to observe and educate about the night sky. Come join us to look at planets, stars, and other celestial wonders. The monthly Star Party schedule is as follows:

StarGeezer's Star Party: Spring Park in Garland; Next event date is Saturday July 4th.
Frisco Starfest: Frisco Commons Park in Frisco; Next event date is Saturday July 11th.
Cedar Hill Starbolt: JW Williams Park in Cedar Hill; Next event date is Saturday July 18th.
Stars on the Rock: The Shores Park in Rockwall (New Location); Next event date is Sunday July 26th.

For more information about TAS public observing please visit our Public Observing Site. Our full schedule of activities is on our calendar. Please come out and join us or volunteer at one of our events.

Member Resources

Visit the members' discussion forum to discuss astro-type stuff with fellow TAS members.

Visit the Members Only section for access to:

Revised TAS bylaws
Order a custom TAS member badge online
The Current Month's Spectrum
A new area for presentations by speakers
TAS Member Telescope User's Guide

Join or Renew Online with Paypal. It's fast, easy and secure.

Constellation of the Month: July: The Cygnus Region

TAS is now 503 members strong....why not become a part of our family?

TAS is a member of
the

The World's Largest Federation of Amateur Astronomers

Three column web layout courtesy of Matthew James Taylor

Sun, Moon, and Tonight's Sky

Richardson, TX (times in CDT): Sunrise today: 6:22am Sunset today: 8:40pm Moonrise today: 4:59pm Moonset today: 2:28am 75% of moon illuminated
Current Phase	Phase Calendar
Courtesy USNO
	July		August
		7th		6th
		15th		13th
		22nd		20th
		28th		27th

Tonight's Sky:

Click the above image for a chart. Popup blockers must be disabled. Chart courtesy of Fourmilab Switzerland.

Major Planets and Moon Charts

Bright Minor Planet Charts

Observable Comet Charts
Magnitudes observed within the last 5 days:

***** :	brighter than 5.0
**** :	5.0 to 8.9
*** :	9.0 to 13.9
** :	14.0 to 17.9
* :	18.0+
(no stars) :	no recent observations

Unnumbered comets:

Numbered periodic comets:

Minor planet and comet lists, and corresponding orbital elements, are courtesy of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Charts courtesy of Fourmilab Switzerland

Clear Sky Clocks

Dallas, TX:

Atoka, OK:

Comanche Springs, TX (Home of 3RF):

Click an image for a complete sky condition forecast.

Clocks courtesy of ClearDarkSky.com

TAS In Action