What we’re about
Welcome to Houston Science Enthusiasts! Founded in 2010 (under the original name Houston Super Secret Science Club), our goal is to provide a place for people interested in science to find and gather at the most interesting science-related activities in the Greater Houston region. These include gatherings at the many science-related lectures held at area universities and other educational institutions, visits to museums, outdoors field trips and social mixers at local pubs and restaurants. The idea to make these meet-ups entertaining and interesting to the lay community as well as those from the ranks of professional scientists. Anyone can join -- you don't need a Ph.D., just some curiosity.
You also are invited to join our Facebook group, where we continue the discussion online: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HoustonSuperSecretScienceClub/
Find our listing of Houston Science Resources here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/houston-science-enthusiasts/houston-science-resources/637381806593089/
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Observe the Moon Night at Rice ObservatoryBrockman Hall for Physics - Rice University, Houston, TX
FREE EVENT (NON-HOSTED): The Rice Space Institute will host a Rice University Observatory Open House on Friday evening October 3, for “Observe the Moon Night”.
Event starts with an ISS overflight 7:45-7:52 pm (get the "SpotTheStation" app to find other overflights), then Moon observing, then as dark comes, Saturn, Neptune, Albireo and the Double-Double (no lecture this time)
- Date: Friday, Oct. 3rd, 2025 (Backup date in case of clouds: Saturday, October 4, 8:00 - 10:00 pm)
- Time: 7:30 - 10:00PM
- Location: Brockman Hall for Physics, 4th floor
- Parking: North Lot (between entrances 20 and 21)
Evening Highlights:
- 7:46-7:52 pm: Spot the International Space Station (ISS) passing overhead in the southwest.
- Lunar viewing beginning at 7:30 pm.
- After the sky gets darker, we will observe Saturn, with its rings still edge-on and its moons Titan, Tethys and Dione (close together) on one side and Rhea and Enceladus on the other side. If the sky cooperates we will observe Neptune close by.
- We will also observe the gorgeous double star Albireo in Cygnus and the Double-Double in Lyra (can you see all four??).
Bonus: Even better ISS overflights will happen earlier in the week:
- Sept. 30, 8:37–8:41 pm (51° altitude, Southwest)
- Oct. 1, 7:48–7:54 pm (70° altitude, Northeast)
For more details and any late-minute changes, please check
https://www.ruf.rice.edu/~ruco/open_houses.htmlLocation: Brockman Hall for Physics (NOT FOR OPERA), NO lecture this time. Meet on the observatory deck (4th floor). Elevator (and bathrooms) is in the east wing of the building.
Brockman Hall on Rice Interactive Map: https://map.concept3d.com/?id=473#!ct/71275,71276,71277?m/119182?s/Brockman
Parking: The closest parking is in the "North Lot", between entrances 20 and 21. Use a credit card for entry and exit. Less expensive parking in the Greenbriar lot, west of the stadium.
North Lot on Rice Interactive Map: https://map.concept3d.com/?id=473#!m/126305?s/key=North%20Parking%20Lot
Parking Facilities and Rates: https://parking.rice.edu/parking-facilities-and-rates
For weather updates see the campus observatory page:
https://www.ruf.rice.edu/~ruco/open_houses.htmlTo receive email notices of these and other space related events and lectures, visit: https://rice.us17.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3ee53fcb840532b6725e9eb49&id=b6fab36db5
- Why Columbus Did Not Prove the Earth is RoundSt. Philip Presbyterian Church, Houston, TX
HYBRID: The "Church & Society (http://www.saintphilip.net/Church_andSociety.html)" speaker series at St. Philip Presbyterian Church in the Galleria area will Bruce Yeager, an author and longtime educator on the topic of the relationship of science and religion, in a talk titled "Why Columbus Did Not Prove the Earth is Round."
Description: "Today, each Columbus Day is shadowed with regrets about how European colonizers mistreated native Americans (some people today even celebrating “Indigenous Peoples’ Day”) Historians have been seeking to set that history aright. Nevertheless, one myth remains persistent. Namely, the myth that Columbus was trying to disprove a medieval belief that the Earth was flat. Debunking that myth can tell us much about the relations between science and religion not only in the past but also today."
Bruce Yaeger has been a teacher and lecturer at diverse churches for over thirty-five years. He is the author of two books: Wrestling Brothers: Rethinking Religion-Science Relationships, and Spirited Bodies Beneath the Stars: Science & Spirituality Together.
The class will take place in , Room 201 of the church's Education Building.
The class will also be presented over Zoom at this link: Church & Society Zoom Link
Top image; Nicolaus Germanus's 1467 Latin world map according to Ptolemy's 2nd projection (via Wikipedia)
- C60 at 40: Celebrating Nano and Quantum FrontiersMcMurtry Auditorium Duncan Hall, Houston, TX
"Join us at Rice University for C60 at 40, a two-day event marking the 40th anniversary of the discovery of C60 — the molecule that helped launch the era of nanotechnology.
"This celebration looks beyond the buckyball to spotlight Rice’s leadership in nanoscience and quantum research. Through keynote talks, panels, and more, we’ll explore how discoveries at the nanoscale and quantum frontier are shaping energy, computing, healthcare, and more."
Presented by the Smalley-Curl Institute at Rice University,
Conference website: https://sci.rice.edu/nanoat40
The C60 at 40 celebration will take place in Martel Hall of Duncan Hall at Rice University. Duncan Hall is #46 on the Rice Campus Map (yellow star). Entering “Anne and Charles Duncan Hall” into maps or Google Maps will also pinpoint the location of the venue.
PARKING: If you're driving and do not have a Rice parking permit, you may park at the North Lot (purple star) near Entrance 20 or at the Founder’s Court Visitor’s Lot (purple star) near Entrance 3 on the Rice Campus Map. Parking vouchers are available for our non-Rice guests at the check-in desk.
Campus parking: [https://parking.rice.edu/parking-facilities-and-rates](https://parking.rice.edu/parking-facilities-and-rates)
The address of Rice University campus is 6100 Main St., Houston, TX 77005.
- The Dynamic Solar AtmosphereKeck Hall, Houston, TX
HYBRID: The Rice Space Institute presents a Houston Spaceport Frontiers Lecture featuring Dr. Stephen Baldwin, Professor, Physics and Astronom, speaking on "The Dynamic Solar Atmosphere."
Description: "Solar eclipses revealed the sun's corona, visible only when the bright disc is hidden. Discoveries included helium, detected before it was found on Earth, and the puzzle over why the corona is much hotter than the surface. This talk will will trace the history of corona physics, its mysteries, and how space observatories have advanced understanding."
The event will be held in Keck Hall, Room 100. There will be a reception starting at 6:30 while the lecture itself will begin at 7:00.
Event page and registration: https://events.rice.edu/event/406824-rsi-frontiers-lecture-series-prof-steve-bradshaw
For parking options, please visit here: Rice Parking
For a map of Rice University, please visit Rice University Maps
Rice Space Institute: Rice Space Institute | Rice University
RSI Space Frontiers Lecture Series: Space Frontiers Lecture Series (rice.edu)
To be placed on the RSI Spaceport Lecture Series newsletter list, visit https://mailman.rice.edu/mailman/listinfo/rsi
