Who are members in an astronomy club ?

[Ian Robinson]

I used to be many many many moons ago , but other interests (like chasing girls , uni and work (shiftwork) got in the way .

[erick]

Snake Valley Astronomical Association rules! :2thumbs: :2thumbs: :astron: :cold:

[astroron]

iceinspace is now my only astronomy club:astron:
Ron

[Ric]

I'm a member of the Canberra Astronomical Society and have our meetings at Mt Stromlo, a pretty special place in my books.

Cheers

[iceman]

ditto!

I'm not a member of a club now, but I used to be. I just never had time to go to meetings and through IceInSpace, Central Coast locals (and people from sydney and newcastle) have our own observing group on the central coast with people from all different clubs (and people who aren't in clubs).

Clubs play a great role in amateur astronomy and I've really enjoyed meeting a diverse range of people from the majority of clubs in NSW (Sydney/Newcastle area at least) last year when I went around giving talks on planetary imaging.

[OneOfOne]

I am a member of the ASV and MPAS and recommend either or both of them. Both are a great bunch of people...actually I have found very few of "us" who are not :D

[wavelandscott]

I am a member of both ASNSW (Astronomical Society of NSW) and NSAS (Northern Sydney Astronomical Society).

While I am not active in either club (I think combined I have attended 2 meetings excluding SPSP)...I do believe that they serve an important function and so I pay my dues (notionally on time)...

[asterisk]

Macarthur Astronomical Society - great club. Friendly, knowledgeable and HELPFUL people. I have learnt a lot from both the meetings and observing nights. While gaining many insights (and items other people sell) from this forum, nothing beats the interaction between people face-to-face.

[jjjnettie]

I've never belonged to any of the Astronomical Societies. They're all too far away.
I do belong to 8 or possibly more, Astronomy Forums on the Net.

[firstlight]

Been a member of the Brisbane Astronomical Society for the past 16? years, served on the exec committee for about 6 of those. Serving as BAS rep on the Astrofest Committee since 2000 with Anne-Louise. Nothing better than to belong to a club, to get and to give support to other members, and to do public outreach.

Tony

[ving]

I'll echo that!

great group of people :)
I do need to get out to observing night more often tho :(

[Omaroo]

I'll echo that! I'll echo that!

Vingster - you DO need to get out out more often :)

[astronut]

Macarthur Astronomical Society!!!
"I'm the president of the best club with the best bunch of people you would ever meet"
Does that get me re-elected next week?:lol::lol::rofl::rofl:

[Ian Robinson]

Irene Towers, Alan Elliot and I had a bit of a hand in starting off the ASH way back in the mid 1970s.

Was a lot of fun , tea and bikkies was always the highlight of the night when we met at member's homes and later at Tighes Hill Tech College.

[Ian Robinson]

Easy to start a club .... all it takes is placing a notice in the local paper.

If you live in a remote area, you might even be able to get a grant from the federal and or state government to help start it off.

[spacezebra]

Hi there

I am the Secretary of the Astronomical Society of Albury-Wodonga.

We Rock!:D

Cheers Petra

[asterisk]

More flattery will certainly pay off.

[seeker372011]

I am a member of WSAAG and have been for years

used to b a member of ASNSW but let it lapse this year

[Gargoyle_Steve]

I'm a member of IceInSpace, of the Ravenshoe Forum, and of the "Ron's Place Irregulars" and that's it.

Unless you count the Aroona Amateur Astronomy Association - or 4A as we call it - that's my brother Don and I.
(My other brother Phil aka 'Dog Star' could be our Alice Springs affiliate.)

;)

[MrB]

I was a "lurker" member of MAS for two years before it got incorporated into ASWA some time back, never bothered since. Not really a club sort of person.

[Babalyon 5]

Im a member of ASSA(Astronomical Society of Sth Aust) and like others, a member in a few online communities. :D
The help and support from these is priceless, especially if your into more than just casual observing.;)

[Kal]

I'm a member of ASNSW. Not overly active but I don't mind the small fee which helps to support the community.

[gaa_ian]

I am El- presidente and Co founder of Gove Amateur Astronomers.
A very satisfying experience and one I would recomend to any astronomer who loves doing public outreach astronomy.
Make sure you have an understanding partner though !

[rider]

My wife an I thought about joining a local club, but decided that we wanted to look at stars, not go to meetings.
We just want to step outside on to the patio when conditions are good.

Also regular mothly viewing nights (also known as "100% cloud cover nights") means lugging heavy scopes to a site that is as light poluted as my backyard, but is not as convenient. So "Ice In Space" is our club.

My wife has met the local club members, (they turned up to the same restaraunt balcony as her to view the lunar eclipse last year) and they seem like a good bunch (as would be expected from people diserning enough to own cellestial based optical equipment)

rider

[ving]

you came to MAS meets? i am guessing what turned you off was the travel from perth! LOL

just kidding :)

[Geoff45]

I'm a member of ASNSW. I go down to Wiruna every new moon for 2-4 days. There are usually 20-30 people there, so even if it's cloudy, there is plenty of opportunity to get on the red and/or socialise. Also I get to look through some big scopes (17" and 25") while my autoguider is chugging away. There are also two meetings a month at Epping around full moon. I pick and choose which to attend, but probably get around to 50%+. Living 10min away from the meeting hall helps. We've had some good and varied speakers, including the Iceman.
Geoff

[MrB]

Lol ving, wondered as I typed if there might have been another MAS :)

[Stevo69]

Same with me Ian, I was a member of the ASV throughout the 1980's. It put me in good company with many great people, until many of life's distractions got in the way (girls, cars, jobs, families - not necessarily in that order.) I may join up to a club again soon. I just need to pick which one. Snake Valley is within spitting distance, but perhaps I wouldn't mind getting together informally with a small group in my area a little later in the year (Sunbury/Woodend/Kyneton etc)??


[URL="http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/member.php?u=3938"]

Yes I agree, unfortunately, meetings, AGM's committees etc etc, are all a part of a club eventually, and I have been involved at that level. But you are correct, a club or just an informal group of friends getting together for with their scope, some observing, a chat, a catch-up, perhaps a quite drink. Now that's an observing session!

[rider]

[quote=Stevo69;320957] I wouldn't mind getting together informally with a small group in my area a little later in the year (Sunbury/Woodend/Kyneton etc)??

I used to live in Kyneton. Using a telescope on a winter night in Kyneton would mean going outside. - not something to be undertaken lightly. I distinctly remember it as being cold enough to make a 6 inch scope shrink to a 3 inch. (and that was before I took up astronomy, boom-boom)

(now I'm in Brisvegas - ah, Queensland, rainy one night, cloudy the next)

rider

[Stevo69]

Yes, I know Kyneton well. I have always known it as a windy and cold place in Victoria, or except to Ballarat :whistle: Sorry Erick, (joking).



aperture shrinkage??? ouch :lol:

[Rodstar]

I am hoping to have my application to the ASNSW accepted in the coming days.....I applied at SPSP this year after having a thoroughly enjoyable time....I have been putting it off for ages, but in the end I came to the view that it is worthwhile to support the state organisation.

Also, I would like to get to Wiruna between SPSP's, and get to know some of the other visual observers in the ASNSW.

[alan meehan]

iam a member of the newcastle astronomy society as featured in this months club section of aust sky &telescope have been amember since it started we have a great lot of members who all enjoy this hobby and has allowed us to meet many other s who share this interest .we have viewing evenings once a month and its always good to see members of the public coming and enjoying the views.being in a club helps us come together and enjoy this amazing hobby,
clear skies alan

[badchap]

Mpas

[Ian Robinson]

Is Australia growing .... there is no way Maryland is 74km from Gateshead ....

Does your mob still meet at the Physics Laboratory Building at Callaghan ?

[Starkler]

After making use of the MPAS facilities at the Briars over a period of time, I thought I'd do the right thing and join up :whistle:

[Outbackmanyep]

I am currently Vice President of possibly the longest sounding Astronomy club in NSW and possibly Australia.....

"University of New England and Northern Tablelands Astronomical Society" (U.N.E.N.T.A.S.)

[Orion]

Here is all the info you need Ian. This link will take you to our site.http://www.nas.org.au/
It will be nice to meet you at the next meeting.:thumbsup:

[AstroJunk]

You are spoilt for choice in Brisbane - several fantastic clubs, all with great members and all with slightly different biases. I'm on the council of the AAQ, and even though we do some pretty serious scientific projects, our meetings are an absolute riot - It's the Queensland way!

So get involved with at least one of the clubs if you can. Just come along to a meeting and say hi. We all welcome guests and there is no need to commit untill you find the place for you.

[Ian Robinson]

Maybe .... we'll see , that looks like a Friday night.

Haven't settled on my subject this coming trimester in the masters yet.