New Club Officers

As of October 30th, 2008,

The Shoals Astronomy Club acquired new officers:

1. President - Stan Peck
2. Vice President - Mel Blake
3. Club Photographer - Roy Long
4. Public Relations Officer #1 - John Viescas
5. Public Relations Officer #2 - Matthew Sherrill
6. Secretary - Matthew Sherrill
7. Treasurer - temp - Roy Long


We would like to thank John Paul Daniel for his almost 3 year term!
We so much benefited as a club during your Presidency and we accomplished
a great deal during that time.


We would also like to thank Mike Beck for his stay in the club! Thanks
for all the meetings we got to hold in your home!


As of January 2009, we will be meeting in the University of North Alabama
Planetarium. More info to come!

Orion Nebula

What is the Orion Nebula?

Enormous clouds of dust and gas are found throughout the galaxy. One of the closest is the Orion Nebula, which is 1500 light-years from Earth and measures several light-years across. It is visible to the human eye as a fuzzy patch in the constellation of Orion.

comment - from S.A.C.-

One of the very first objects

that many observe in our club

is the Orion Nebula!! Yes, they immediately ask, "can we see the horsehead nebula?".. That one is difficult even for larger scopes unless your in dark skies and have the right filters. However, the Orion Nebula is visible with the naked eye! Just look in the center of the sword of orion! you should see a blur, even in the city! Any small scope will reveal more of this outstanding object. Looks towards the center and you'll find 4 young stars that light up this nebula called, 'the trapezium'.

Andromeda Galaxy

Above is the Andromeda galaxy!
This galaxy is a must for every amateur! located in the constellation of Andromeda which you fan find near Peagasus, it contains 2 other galaxies, which the obvious one below it, m110 and in the upper left corner (looks like a blurry star), m32.

M31 is a spiral galaxy and is set to collide with ours, the Milky Way, in a few billion years.

It is a naked eye object also!