In 1781 British astronomer Sir William Herschel noticed something strange about the orbit of Uranus. Something was amiss. Uranus did not follow the laws of physics as he understood them at the time. Its movements acted as if something was disturbing it. Later in 1841 the french astronomer Alexis Bouvard also thought something was wrong with the orbit of Uranus. It is being tugged at by an unknown source. There had to be something out there that we don’t know.

During the 1840s astronomers John Adams and Urbain La Verrier independently decided to calculate using mathematics and physics where the mystery planet should be in the future to be seen. And that would explain the strange behavior of our seventh planet, Uranus.

September 23, 1846, acting upon Adams and La Verrier’s predictions, German astronomer Johann Galle made the very first direct observation of the blue planet at the Berlin observatory. It was there just like Adams and La Verrier predicted. It was dramatic and a sensation in the astronomical world because Johann Galle not only discovered Neptune, he also confirmed the “Newtonian Gravitational Theory.”

Johann Galle

It has been said that Adams and LaVerrier discovered a planet “with the point of a pen”

Because of its distance from the sun 4.5 Billion Kilometers, 30 AU, astronomical units , (30 times the sun earth distance) it takes Neptune 165 years to make one orbit and will not be back in this position until the year 2176.

July 12, 2011, Neptune arrived back to the spot “ heliocentric longitude” (relative to its orbit to the sun) were it was when it was discovered 165 years ago. And the planet still remains one of the biggest mysteries of the solar system.

In 1989 the Voyager 2 spacecraft flew approximately 3,000 miles above the north pole of Neptune returning many images of the planet before heading off for interstellar space.

In 2014 the “New Horizons” spacecraft will arrive for its visit of Neptune 25 years after Voyager. So it is said that July 12, 2011 is the birthday of the discovery of Neptune.

Interested in Astronomy? Come and learn.
Crossroads Astronomy Club meets at the University of Houston at Victoria, Room 223, West Building 7:00 p.m. every third Monday.
Star Party at Loblolly Ranch at Nursery Texas on July 29th. Contact KB Hallmark at 361-648-0089.

The Chamber has received positive feed back on the Annual Fireworks Display. Poco Bueno has had great weather for the Tournament. All in all, summer in Port O’Connor has been great. Lots and lots of people every weekend. If we could figure out how to keep the traffic coming during the week we’d have a booming POC.

“THANKS” for all the donations, each and everyone of them counted. And welcome to our new members, it takes everyone’s efforts to support the Chamber and make the events we sponsor possible.

Donations for 4th

V.E. Rogers
James Short
The Bug Man
Ronald & Carol Snider
Carl & Pam Ray
Hustler Marine
Carol Haverfield
Jim & Linda Butler
William & Joy Reed
The Phenix Family

New Members

Earl & Bitsy Condra
Jack Owens/ Betty Hail
Clinton Stubbs
Herbert & Opha Adell Reeves
Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Bennett, Jr.
Josh & Cindy Clemmons
Double H Guide Service
Hailey Lane R.V. Park
Lone Star Boat Storage
Napa Auto Parts & Machine
Butlers Landing/Family Affair Creations
Gharold & Jackie Woods
(Correction) Welcome also- Fairfield,Ltd.

The Heritage Center, 2104 W. Austin, Port Lavaca, TX. and Sterling Griffith will present The Country Opry Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011. Show starts 7:00 p.m. Admission $4.00 donation. Pork Chop dinner will be served from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. for $6.00 donation. Proceeds benefit the Calhoun County Senior Citizens. For information call (361) 552-3350.

Did you know that you can help The Harbor Children’s Alliance & Victim Center (215 W. Railroad Ave. in Port Lavaca) with the donation of your used Name Brand, Powder-Type toner cartridges.

Bunco! – The July Bunco meeting became an ice cream sundae party as hosted by Joyce Jordan and Sue Kubecka featuring icy treats on a very hot evening. And each participant had a choice of Strawberry, Hot Fudge and Caramel toppings for their delicious ice cream dishes. Play then commenced for some time with Sally Jones winning the most buncos despite her visiting daughter claiming two buncos consecutively — A Record! And the booby prize of nada was earned by Sue Kubecka, no comments please! The next Bunco Meeting will be Tuesday evening, August 2nd at 7:00 p.m. Call Shirley Gordon at the Library for further information, 983-4365. The hostesses for that evening will be Mary Ann Claiborne and Pat Ekstrom and they are always good for a great surprise!

Last weekend was Poco Bueno! And I think this was the largest Poco of all; there were 105 big boats entered and only 4 dropped out. And so, 101 boats left for their offshore spots in the evening including some local favorites. Interesting watching the line at the fuel pumps at the Fishing Center; on Wednesday the three large fuel tanks were only half full. And the tankers made a trip on Wednesday and then later in the week. Word from the Center is that those tanks hold collectively 28,000 gallons!

Driving around Caracol to see all the boats moored, that place appeared to be the perfect site for combining both boats and their docking spaces.

The latest “Hoopism”: Save Water, Drink Beer! And it rained the following morning after the sign appeared! Or what does Hoop know?

Did you notice that the shelves at Wal-Mart are now filled with back-to-school supplies? And it’s still July?

The POC Water District and Mercer Construction have been working on the water pipes on 15th Street for the last several weeks; they’re doing a really good job, but it’s a bit of a shock to come home and find no water.

The crowds of visitors for Poco started coming in Tuesday; at Speedy Stop parking spaces were hard to find, but that’s good for our economy.

Swimming classes for the youngsters started Monday, the 18th as sponsored by the Lions Club. The classes are being held in the pool at Kenneth & Grady Jean Clark’s residence. I understand that the Clarks have generously and graciously opened their pool during summers pasts for other youngsters in our community to learn to swim.

The Service Club and the POC History Book Committee are searching for a picture of the ranch house on the LaSalle Ranch preferably back in the 40’s. If anyone has a photo in their possession and will lend it to be copied, please contact either Sue Kubecka, 798-0560 or Janet Johnson, 983-4733.

Looking for that special dessert? And don’t want to heat up your kitchen by baking? If so, put Saturday, July 23rd on your calendar. The Lions Club is again holding a yummy bake sale at Speedy Stop; it will begin at 8:00 a.m., so be ready to get a treat!

suekubecka@yahoo.com 361 798-0560
If the reader wishes to add any news at any time to this column, please contact me at the above address or telephone number. And thanks in advance.