Astro society of Melbourne

[Luna (Annie)]

I was wondering, has any here been to an ASM event? I was trying to look into this club but their website doesn't offer a whole lot of information. I will probably contact them regardless, I was just hoping someone here might know a bit about them and what they offer
Thanks

http://www.astromelb.i.net.au/

[garymck (Gary)]

Hi,
suggest you try the Astronomical Society of Victoria:

http://asv.org.au/

It's one of the largest amateur societies in the world and has a lot to offfer.

cheers
Gary

[mishku]

... and it's based in Melbourne

Originally Posted by garymck

Hi,
suggest you try the Astronomical Society of Victoria:

http://asv.org.au/

It's one of the largest amateur societies in the world and has a lot to offfer.

cheers
Gary

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

I tried to make contact with the ASM (Astro Society of Melbourne) about a 2 years ago to invite them to SV Camps but all I could find out is that it was a chap in the inner suburb Bentleigh in Melbourne trying to start an Astro Club at his house.
He was the only member at the time and I kept an eye on it for months and nothing ever changed (and looking at the site now, 2 years later, it still hasn't changed).

One thing that struck me as a bit bizzarre was that he mentions 'the members' but I could never find anyone who is a member nor did any of the members I asked in the ASV know of any either, the claims of having the best equipment in Australia, the 'Active Relationships with other Societies in Victoria' yet none have ever heard of him, "We are the most active telescope makers in the Southern hemisphere", "We are the most entertaining and dynamic Astronomy Key Note Speakers in Australia" etc. All sounded a bit much.

I have never received an email back from the many I sent, or got an answer on the mobile number supplied, so I gave up.
Whether the Club actually ended up being a running concern is anyones guess. But no-one ever replies to email or phone. There is no Address, and the website gives nothing away.

I may be totally wrong, but it seems like it is a chap who tried to start his own Astro Club in the suburbs but it never happened.

[Luna (Annie)]

Hey Ken
Thanks for replying. The website sort of gave me a funny feeling because it was so vague which was why I wanted to ask here first before I made contact with them. I'd tried to dig around more and couldn't find anything, and it struck me as odd as ASV didn't list them under their other clubs link. Also the email address to contact them is like sales@astronomyalive or something. I would have expected a more official email, not the sales department of a store. I guess I was just being paranoid but I didn't want to turn up somewhere by myself and find out it was all fake then get stabbed to death XD

Think I'll just stick with ASV

Does anyone know where their next public thing is? I had a look at their calendar but I don't really understand half their event names? I dont want to turn up at some members only gathering and look like an idiot

[mill (Martin)]

Annie you could also have a look at SVAA (Snake Valley Astronomy Association) or also called club Med
Very relaxed and clubnight's every month (except when it rains).
Also as a member you can come to the clubhouse whenever you want and setup your equipment and hassle Ken
We have a astro camp twice a year (March and November).
So come and have a look next March if you want to.
The club site is in my sig.

Martin.

[UniPol]

The President of the ASM is the proprietor of "Astronomy Alive" and is also an advertiser and member of IIS.

[danielsun]

+2 for Snake Valley astronomy association http://svaatest.site88.net/ Very relaxed, great company and top spot with nice dark skies.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

The Snake Valley Astronomical Association website isn't kept up to date by the webmaster, so all the info you may need is found HERE where I try to keep it up to date myself
It just doesn't include info about Club nights which is simple: The Friday night each month closest to New Moon
Members can come anytime and even stay overnight

[OneOfOne (Trevor)]

The next general meeting for the ASV will be on Saturday 14 January, however, normally it will be the 2nd Wednesday of the month, held at the Herbarium, near the Shrine. Check out their website for details:

www.asv.org.au

Their darksite is at Heathcote. An alternative is the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society (MPAS) who meet at the Peninsula School on the third Wednesday of the month and their darksite in at The Briars just out of Mornington. They have public viewings on the first Friday of the month, next one is 6th January at 8pm, I will be giving a presentation. Check out their website for further details

www.mpas.asn.au

I have been a member of both societies for a number of years now and find both to be very good.

[alistairsam]

I just posted my membership form for asv, so looking forward to meeting members and attending events.
the snake valley camp is as others have said, really cool and relaxed and highly recommended.

now that we have a few clear nights coming up, we could some folks together for an informal viewing night in the outskirts of melb.

[stephenb (Stephen)]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

I tried to make contact with the ASM (Astro Society of Melbourne) about a 2 years ago to invite them to SV Camps but all I could find out is that it was a chap in the inner suburb Bentleigh in Melbourne trying to start an Astro Club at his house.
He was the only member at the time and I kept an eye on it for months and nothing ever changed (and looking at the site now, 2 years later, it still hasn't changed).

One thing that struck me as a bit bizzarre was that he mentions 'the members' but I could never find anyone who is a member nor did any of the members I asked in the ASV know of any either, the claims of having the best equipment in Australia, the 'Active Relationships with other Societies in Victoria' yet none have ever heard of him, "We are the most active telescope makers in the Southern hemisphere", "We are the most entertaining and dynamic Astronomy Key Note Speakers in Australia" etc. All sounded a bit much.

I have never received an email back from the many I sent, or got an answer on the mobile number supplied, so I gave up.
Whether the Club actually ended up being a running concern is anyones guess. But no-one ever replies to email or phone. There is no Address, and the website gives nothing away.

I may be totally wrong, but it seems like it is a chap who tried to start his own Astro Club in the suburbs but it never happened.

I have had a similar experience as Ken, both in regards to the so-called ASM AND Astronomy Alive (which I have even less of an opinion of).

Annie, as others have recommended, the ASV, MPAS and the SVAA are all highly regarded in Victoria. Good luck.

Regards,
Stephen

[mishku]

Hi Annie,

Depends on how keen you are to get started soon.

ASV website calendar lists events from lots of their different sections, and I'm still trying to work it all out. I tend to go to their monthly meeting (which is open to the public) at the National Herbarium in the Botanic Gardens on a Wednesday night once a month. They also have the New Astronomers Group (NAG) which I joined to meet some fellow newbies. They also meet on a Wednesday. They have groups devoted to computing, astrophotography, solar system, solar observing, astrophotography, a group that meets during the day (the Diurnals) amongst others. They have club nights and members nights, which I think are on a Friday, and at their clubrooms. They also have a dark sky site, and sometimes hold things there.

I also went along to a Snake Valley camp, which is honestly one of the best things I've ever done, I had soooo much fun, even though it was mostly cloudy Next SV camp is in March, but I'm so keen for some of those SV dark skies that I'm thinking of heading up for one of their meetings too

Hope that helps

Originally Posted by Luna

Hey Ken
Thanks for replying. The website sort of gave me a funny feeling because it was so vague which was why I wanted to ask here first before I made contact with them. I'd tried to dig around more and couldn't find anything, and it struck me as odd as ASV didn't list them under their other clubs link. Also the email address to contact them is like sales@astronomyalive or something. I would have expected a more official email, not the sales department of a store. I guess I was just being paranoid but I didn't want to turn up somewhere by myself and find out it was all fake then get stabbed to death XD

Think I'll just stick with ASV

Does anyone know where their next public thing is? I had a look at their calendar but I don't really understand half their event names? I dont want to turn up at some members only gathering and look like an idiot

[Big Dave (Dave)]

Are/ have been a member of all 3 clubs (MPAS, ASV and ASM).
Last time I checked the ASM has my pics and name still all over the website.
Give me a PM if you want any more info.