The Huachuca Astronomy Club of Southeastern Arizona

Formed in 1982 in Sierra Vista, Arizona, the Huachuca Astronomy Club (HAC) promotes interest in astronomy and related sciences and crafts, through education, fellowship among interested individuals, and through monthly meetings, member and public star parties, and other events. Membership is open to anyone interested in astronomy. We celebrated our 25th anniversary in 2007. Please come and join us for fun, friends, and fascinating times, because we are always looking up!

Enjoy the Benefits of being a HAC Member

Thank you for considering becoming a member of the Huachuca Astronomy Club (HAC). Regardless if you are a newcomer to the hobby or a long time observing veteran, our range of events, programs, member interests, and observing aids can be at your disposal. If you are not familiar at all with the night sky or have no telescope, that is fine! We all started in the same way, and our more experienced members will be glad to assist in any way. We encourage all members to be participants in club activities so all of us can learn and benefit!

  • Nightfall Newsletter.  Our colorful newsletter is distributed to members monthly via email.  It contains many interesting articles and important notices about the club’s activities.  It includes a monthly article from NASA as part of HAC’s participation in the NASA Space Place astronomy club network.  The newsletter is full of member content and you are welcome to submit your articles and astrophotos or list equipment you have for sale,
  • Astronomical League membership.  The Astronomical League is a consortium of over 240 astronomy clubs, and as a HAC member you are also a member of the League.  In addition to receiving the league’s quarterly publication called the REFLECTOR there are many other benefits to membership.  Perhaps the most exciting is the eligibility to participate in over 50 observing programs that the League offers.  By completing some of these programs you will learn about different facets of astronomy and be introduced to a wide variety of astronomical objects.  You will also learn to employ a number of observing techniques that will enhance your enjoyment of our hobby.  HAC has several “Master Observers” and a great many experienced observers and astrophotographers to help you with these programs.  When finished, the club’s ALCOR can review and submit your logs.  You will receive an award certificate, and sometimes a lapel pin, for each program you complete.  Your name and accomplishment will be published in the REFLECTOR and on the League’s website.
  • Patterson Observatory.  HAC has a special relationship with the University South Foundation that owns the Patterson Observatory on the University of Arizona, Sierra Vista.  HAC provides the volunteer operators for the observatory which consists of a 20 inch Ritchey Chretien telescope under an 18 foot Ash dome.  Because of our relationship, HAC members have unique access to the telescope and to the sophisticated sensors available including CCD and video cameras and even a spectrometer.
  • Astronomy instruction, classes, workshops and special interest groups (SIG).  HAC is devoted to helping our members learn and develop as amateur astronomers.  We offer a variety of activities such as astronomy classes, and workshops in response to member interests.  The “Astronomy for the Curious” classes are held at the Patterson Observatory and usually run for seven weeks at a time.  HAC’s leadership is always eager to convene workshops and clinics to cover subjects of interest and importance to our membership, such as astrophotography clinics, telescope clinics, and special instruction on things like collimating optics or telescope alignment.
  • Special Discounts. HAC members are entitled to discounted subscriptions to Astronomy Magazine and Sky & Telescope Magazine.  All it takes is to contact the treasurer to get instructions on how to secure your discount.  The club also offers annual discounts on Astronomy Calendars and the very popular Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) observer’s handbook.  Additional discounts from our sponsors and special club rates from a variety of vendors are also frequently offered.
  • The Greatest Benefit.  The greatest benefit from membership is the association with likeminded enthusiasts and the opportunity to share astronomy with the public.  HAC members learn from each other, share their observatories at Member Star Parties and observing events and work together to promote astronomy and dark sky education.  Club meetings are fun social gatherings with exciting guest speakers and interesting topics.  Dozens of outreach events each year offer members a special opportunity to interact with the public and share their passion for the night sky.

New Members Packet

One of the best New Member Packets in the astronomical community is available to you, packed full of interesting and useful data on astronomy, telescopes, observing, the rhythms of the sky, and the workings of your club.  The new member’s packet includes a comprehensive “Survey” that provides us with valuable information on your astronomy interests. We use this information internally to improve our meetings, events, programs, and to better serve you and all our members.  If you have any questions regarding membership or the form, please don’t hesitate to email the .

Apply for Membership

Please view and submit the on-line membership application. After filling out the form, you can either mail payment to:

HAC
PO Box 922
Sierra Vista, AZ 85636

or bring it to one of our meetings.

Membership Dues

The annual membership dues (also printed on the application) are:

  • Individual: $25
  • Family: $35
  • Student: $10 (18 yrs. of age or older, enrolled in higher education)
  • Military: $20
  • Military Family: $25