By Melanie Feuk, mfeuk@hcnonline.com

Photo: Photo Provided By Aaron Clevenson

The Insperity Observatory in Humble ISD recently received a newTakahashi 6-inch Refractor telescope, pictured here on the left.

The Insperity Observatory in Humble ISD recently received a newTakahashi 6-inch Refractor telescope, pictured here on the left.

New observatory telescope, free astronomy events come to Humble area

The Insperity Observatory in Humble ISD celebrated the arrival of a Takahashi 6-inch refractor telescope in March.

"It's awesome," said observatory director Aaron Clevenson during the Kingwood BizCom on Aug. 3. "Six-inches doesn't sound very big, but when you're talking about a refractor, and especially one of this quality, (you can see) incredible things."

Refracting telescopes differ from reflecting telescopes in that they use lenses instead of mirrors to form images.

"What that does for us is - views, especially of planets, like detail on Jupiter and Saturn, as well as detail on the moon, and even deep space objects, are just wonderful looking through that telescope," Clevenson said. "The images are really crisp. You get to see detail you wouldn't normally see on a much larger telescope. We have much larger telescopes, but the view is even prettier."

The new telescope was funded by Insperity, a human resources company based in Kingwood. Clevenson said this Takahashi refractor is top-of-the-line.

"The Takahashi is a company that makes, I would say, the best refractors in the world, and this was the largest one they commercially make," Clevenson said.

About Insperity Observatory

The primary role of the Insperity Observatory is as an educational resource for the students of Humble ISD. Humble ISD classes are able to visit the Insperity Observatory and learn about astronomy.

"I, without any hesitation, would say there is no school district in the US that has an observatory like this one. Not anything close to this one," Clevenson said.

The observatory also provides opportunities for Lone Star College's Kingwood, North Harris and Montgomery campuses to use it for educational purposes.

Upcoming Astronomy Events

Professional-grade telescopes aren't always required to appreciate the wonders of the cosmos.

Clevenson, who served as a past president of the North Houston Astronomy Club, said the club's annual Telescope Workshop is an opportunity for novice or prospective telescope owners to learn how to assemble and use their own telescopes.

The workshop will be held Friday, Aug. 25 in the Lone Star College-Kingwood CLA building from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

Astronomers will provide information and hands-on learning opportunities for people interested in furthering their understanding of telescopes and astronomy.

The workshop is free and does not require advance registration. Beverages will be available at the event. Attendees are welcome to bring their own food.

For more information about the workshop, visit http://astronomyclub.org/nhacwp/.

Public viewing nights are held at the Insperity Observatory on the first Friday of every month from sunset until 10 p.m.

Additionally, the observatory will be open during the partial solar eclipse on Aug. 21, which begins at 11:46 a.m. and ends at 2:45 p.m. The Insperity Observatory will be using its solar telescopes and offering eclipse glasses for people who want to view the eclipse.

The Insperity Observatory is at 2505 S. Houston Avenue in Humble.

For more information about the Insperity Observatory, visit http://www.humbleisd.net/observatory.

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New observatory telescope, free astronomy events come to Humble area - Chron.com