Letter from the President.

The Astronomical Society of North Texas was founded in October 1994 by a

Small group of individuals who have a common interest in the science of

“Amateur Astronomy”.

In the early years, the club officers varied from Jim McGlynn, Paul Turner, and John Moats while leaving the secretary position to Linda Ashby. 

The club would meet at the Sherman Public Library where Belinda Sakowski would helped out with the meeting rooms and presentation material.  Ron Cullen shared his talks on various Constellations and Messier objects for us to view.

 We had several active members that would attend and assist at the private and public

Star Parties.  The Star Parties were in places like Luella, Bonham, Hagerman Wildlife Refuge while leaving Herman Baker Park for public events.

 Paul Turner set up the club’s dial up Bulletin Board System called “The Amateur’s Edge BBS” which was technology before the Internet and John Moats created the club’s paper newsletter called the “Starlight Observer”.

 Due to club membership being slow and the officers needing a little break…….….…   the club slowly went into an inactive mode. 

 In January of 2003, I wanted to reactivate the club again after hearing about Bill Hullett

Had set up the Willis Observatory.   I contacted the previous officers of the club to see if I could reactivate the old ASNT group and search for new members.

 Everyone was glad to hear about it but no one wanted to be an officer due to various reasons.  At the early meetings this year, The current active members of the club wanted to do more observing and be bound to “Roberts Rules of Order” and have more time to spend on Astronomy in the night sky.

 In the years past, several members of the ASNT (Astronomical Society of North Texas) and were also members of TAS (Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas)

Which included two (2) copies of all information that was sent out by the Astronomical League for each member. 

 So we made some of the basic rules for the Astronomical Society of North Texas:

 Membership to ASNT is Free

Membership to the Astronomical League would be optional

Members would go observing has a group and not alone 

Meetings would be scheduled every month has required.

We would use Astronomy Day to show Astronomy to the general public

 Clear Skies!