The South Hills Backyard Astronomers (SHBA) is an informal user’s-group for those, interested in telescopes and personal participation in astronomy, who live in the suburbs south of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.
Since our group first formed in 1973, our meetings have been held at 8 PM on the second Wednesday of each month, year round, at the Spiritan Center (formerly the Bethel Spiritual Animation Center; before that it was the Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary / IHMS founded by the Holy Ghost Fathers of Duquesne University) located at 6230 Brush Run Road at the southern edge of Bethel Park, about 4 miles south of South Hills Village. If it's a clear night, attendees bring their scopes or binoculars and we spend time observing on the lawn near the turn-around in the driveway*. If its not clear by 8:30 we’ll adjourn to Luciano's Pizza down on Clifton Rd, less than a mile away. Cloudy night meetings are generally bull-sessions with the latest magazines, catalogs and show n’ tell.
Beginners Welcome !
One of the main reasons for groups like this is to help beginners. So, whether you are just hoping to get a chance to look through some nice telescopes and need some help with learning your constellations, or you’re a seasoned pro’ but new to the area, please feel welcome. We also enjoy giving guidance to persons in the process of buying or building their own telescope. Bring your questions, your opinions and your catalogs!
- Eric Canali,
Co-Founder SHBA
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* NOTE: Although we have had an over 35 year association with the Center, it has never been a formal one. We have no religious affiliation with them and have been, since 1973, simply guests there, setting up our telescopes along the driveway. Although we for many years held our meetings in their Great Hall, we no longer deem it appropriate to enter the building (not even to use the restroom) since it has in recent years become in part an assisted care residential facility.
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* NOTE: Although we have had an over 35 year association with the Center, it has never been a formal one. We have no religious affiliation with them and have been, since 1973, simply guests there, setting up our telescopes along the driveway. Although we for many years held our meetings in their Great Hall, we no longer deem it appropriate to enter the building (not even to use the restroom) since it has in recent years become in part an assisted care residential facility.
