Looking to join a club

[04Stefan07]

I am looking at joining a Club, want to get out more to some dark skies!

Been wanting to join Snake Valley (which is tonight) but weather is putting me off from travelling up there.

Can I ask what clubs you have joined and can recommend me one?? I am in the northern suburbs of Melbourne.

Thanks!

[Varangian]

Hi,

I joined Astronomical Society of Victoria. There is a one off joining fee of $20 and an annual fee of $70. ASV run all sorts of workshops and viewing nights in the south eastern suburbs at 'the lodge' as well as a packed with info year book and a quarterly magazine; however, I joined predominately to take advantage of their dark sky site in central Victoria. I'm in the northern suburbs as well so ASV's dark site it is very convenient for me (i.e. easy access to the Hume Hwy). I've joined the deep sky section up there and they hold meetings on the Saturday night of the new moon. I haven't been up there for a while though.

The dark sky site is locked up but you call through to get the combo number for access. I've often been up there by myself. It is situated in native bush land with a clearing for visual and a clearing for AP. There is also a camp ground in a natural bush setting on-site.

[Irish stargazer]

The Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society (MPAS) is the club I joined when I lived in Melbourne. Great bunch of people and a very active club. Great observing and meeting facilities at the Briars site in Mt Martha, not far from the city. MPAS have access to ASV's Heathcote dark sky site.
Highly recommended.