Next Meeting
2026 General Meeting Topics and Speakers
Past Meeting: January 8, 2026 – The Hubble Space Telescope: 35 Years of Discovery. Presenter: Faith Vowler, Hubble Space Telescope Outreach Coordinator, NASA
Presenter: Faith Vowler
Speaker:
Faith Vowler
Artifacts: Meeting PDF YouTube Video of Meeting
The meeting took place on January 8, 2025 at 7 PM on Zoom and at the Robinson Nature Center.
Speaker: Faith Vowler, Outreach Coordinator, Hubble Space Telescope
Brief description of the Discussion: Since its launch in 1990, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope has been at the forefront of astronomical research, forever changing our view of the universe and humanity’s place in it. Now, 35 years later, Hubble’s scientific discoveries and images continue to inspire. Join Hubble Outreach Coordinator Faith Vowler for this presentation to celebrate Hubble’s past with of a brief history of the telescope, learn about its present highlights and exciting resources, and discuss its future.
Brief bio of the main speaker:
Faith Vowler—an astronomer, educator, and space enthusiast from Michigan—has worked at NASA since January 2022 as the Outreach Coordinator for the Hubble Space Telescope. She attended the University of Michigan, where she earned a B.S.E. in Space Science & Engineering with minors in Physics and in Astronomy & Astrophysics, and an M.S. in Space Science. She formerly lived and worked in New Mexico as the Education Specialist for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and the Very Large Array (VLA). Her hobbies include reading, collecting books, baking, and going to the movies.
Past Meeting: February 12, 2026 – All Things HAL – a series of mini-presentations
Presenter: HAL
HAL Observatory
Artifacts: Meeting PDF YouTube Video of Meeting
The meeting took place on February 12, 2026 at 7 PM on Zoom and at the Robinson Nature Center.
Speakers: A number of Hal Members
Brief description of the Discussion: Hal has many varied activities. We will cover many of them in detail and also encourage individual exploration.
Past Meeting: March 12, 2026 – Observing Exoplanet Host Stars with NASA Exoplanet Watch
Presenter: Kalée Tock
HAL Observatory
Artifacts: Meeting PDF YouTube Video of Meeting
The meeting took place on March 12, 2026 at 7 PM on Zoom and at the Robinson Nature Center.
Speaker: Kalée Tock, AAVSO member and NASA Citizen Scientist
Brief description of the Discussion: In March, HAL welcomes Kalée Tock, AAVSO member and NASA Citizen Scientist, for a timely look at NASA’s new Pandora mission. Pandora launched in January with a one‑year campaign to study starspots and flares on about 20 red‑dwarf exoplanet host stars. Kalée will share early results from the mission’s partnership with NASA Exoplanet Watch, which has issued a special call for simultaneous ground‑based observations—both in and out of transit. She’ll also explain how observers can contribute valuable data and analysis, even without owning a telescope.
Past Monthly Meeting: April 9, 2026 – Dark Sky Experiences
Presenters: Victor Sanchez, Chris Todd, Bill Vanderlinde, and Mike Miller
Dark Skies!
Artifacts: YouTube Video of Meeting
The meeting took place on April 9, 2026 at 7 PM on Zoom and at the Robinson Nature Center.
Speakers: Victor Sanchez, Chris Todd, Bill Vanderlinde, and Mike Miller
Brief description of the Discussion: These active members have travelled the world and found some excellent dark skies. Right down to Bortle 1. They will discuss their travels and experiences. You can expect the best imaginable travelogues and images.
Past Monthly Meeting: May 14, 2026 – Why The Moon?
Presenters: David Taske, Lunar Topographic Studies Coordinator, ALPO
Artifacts: YouTube Video Meeting PDF
Why The Moon?
The meeting took place on May 14, 2026 at 7 PM on Zoom and at the Robinson Nature Center.
Speaker: David Taske, ALPO’s Lunar Topographic Studies Coordinator
At our May Members Meeting, HAL welcomes David Teske, ALPO’s Lunar Topographic Studies Coordinator, for a timely and eye‑opening presentation: Why the Moon? David will make the case for a true Lunar Renaissance, showing how our nearest neighbor is far more dynamic, scientific, and rewarding than many observers realize.
From the dramatic landscapes revealed along the terminator, to new discoveries from Artemis‑era missions, to the growing role of amateurs in monitoring impacts and mapping subtle features, David will take us on a tour that blends history, geology, exploration, and hands‑on observing. Whether you’re a seasoned lunar imager or someone who usually waits for “no‑Moon nights,” this talk will change the way you see the Moon — and why it deserves a place at the center of your eyepiece.
Past Monthly Meeting: June 11, 2026 – Advancing Earth Observation: The HARP2 Sensor on NASA’s PACE Satellite
Presenter: Dr. Vanderlei Martins, Director, UMBC Earth and Space Institute
Artifacts: YouTube Video Meeting PDF
The meeting took place on June 11, 2026 at 7 PM on Zoom and at the Robinson Nature Center.
Speaker:Dr. Vanderlei Martins, UMBC Earth and Space Institute
Speaker Bio:
Dr. Martins is the founder and current Director of the Earth and Space Institute at UMBC and a leading expert in aerosol and cloud remote sensing. He spent over a decade working at the Climate and Radiation Branch of the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as part of the UMBC-GSFC Joint Center for Earth Systems and Technology (JCET), and has held faculty positions at the Department of Atmospheric Sciences of the University of Washington, and at the Department of Applied Physics of the University of Sao Paulo. For over two decades, Dr. Martins has worked closely with NASA engineers and scientists to develop advanced instruments for measuring aerosol and cloud microphysics from the laboratory to aircraft and space. He has contributed to major NASA science teams, including MODIS, Glory, and PACE satellite sensors, and serves as Principal Investigator for several cutting‑edge sensors, including the HARP and (the currently on Earth’s orbit) HARP2 spaceborne polarimeters, as well as airborne and laboratory systems such as AirHARP, PI‑Neph, Open‑INeph, PACS, RPI, and the Cloud Scanner instruments.
HAL June Monthly Meeting
Our June meeting, open to both HAL members and the public, offers a fascinating opportunity to explore the cutting edge of Earth-observing science.
This month’s speaker, Dr. Vanderlei Martins of the UMBC Earth and Space Institute, will present:
“Advancing Earth Observation: The HARP2 Sensor on NASA’s PACE Satellite”
HARP2 is the first U.S. hyper-angular imaging polarimeter ever flown in space. The instrument provides global observations every two days and captures up to 60 viewing angles across multiple wavelengths and polarization states.
These unique measurements allow scientists to study aerosols, clouds, and surface features in unprecedented detail. By examining the microphysical properties of atmospheric particles, ice and water clouds, and Earth’s surface, researchers can better understand the processes that influence weather, air quality, and climate.
Dr. Martins will highlight key discoveries from HARP2’s first two years in orbit, including observations of wildfire smoke, dust transport across continents, urban pollution, and aerosol-cloud interactions—phenomena that play critical roles in shaping our environment.
In addition to the featured presentation, we will enjoy our popular Book of the Month and Shallow Skies segments.
As always, I look forward to seeing the photographs, sketches, and artwork created by our talented members.
We hope you will join us for an evening of astronomy, Earth science, and shared discovery.