General Links

NASA. The homepage of the world leader in space exploration. Bring a packed lunch.

Planetary Photo journal. A JPL/NASA site with thousands of images from planetary missions over the last 40 years. Get high-resolution pictures of planets, moons, asteroids and the spacecraft that captured them.

Heavens Above sounds like something your Nana used to say, but in this instance it’s the best place for satellite and Space Station pass predictions. Simply use the menus to tell the site your position on the Earths surface and you’ll get a list of satellites and the times and position of their passes at your location.

Space.com is a great source of space-related news, opinion polls and information on all things astronomical.

IceInSpace Forums is an Australian amateur astronomy community website where you can get or give advice, share your views, sell your unwanted astro gear (is there such a thing?). You could even win a nifty prize in one of the competitions.    

Sky and Space Magazine is Australia's premier astronomy magazine.

National Australian Conference of Amateur Astronomers: The NACAA convention has been held around Australia since 1967, and has become a regular national forum at which amateur astronomers can exchange experiences, stay abreast of the latest trends, foster co-operative activities between individuals, societies and the professional sphere, and network amongst their peers throughout Australia and beyond.

The official NACAA website is at http://www.nacaa.org.au

Melbourne Museum - Planetarium: Up to date information on what's up in the sky. Very interesting and helpful information for the Astronomer ~ Have a look!

Astronomical Society's/ Club Links In Australia

VICTORIA

Astronomical Society of Victoria
The society holds beginner courses in astronomy and in telescope making. The ASV has 2 properties, their Burwood premises (housing a 0.5m telescope) and a dark sky site near Heathcote. Heathcote is the venue for the annual Star Party and Star-Be-Cue events. Membership advantages include: their bi-monthly newsletter Crux, the Yearbook, email news, members’ nights at Melbourne Observatory, the Skyline telephone info service, loan telescopes, a library and computer facilities.
Visitors are welcome at the society’s general meetings, held at 8pm on the 2nd Wednesday of each month, except January, at the National Herbarium, Birdwood Ave, South Yarra. ASV specialist sections also hold regular meetings.
Address: GPO Box 1059J, Melbourne Vic 3001
Contact: Linda Mockridge (Public Relations Officer) (03) 9888-7130
Email: mockrdge@alphalink.com.au
Web: http://www.asv.org.au/

Ballarat Astronomical Society
Membership is open to anyone over the age of 10 years. They have a quarterly Bulletin and run 'Introduction to Astronomy Courses' in Autumn and Spring. The Society is the custodian of the Ballarat Municipal Observatory (see also Places section).
The BAS holds a general meeting on the second Friday of each month.
Address: PO Box 284, Ballarat Vic 3353
Contact:(03) 5332-7526 (society information)
Email: bas@cbl.com.au
Web: http://observatory.ballarat.net/

Latrobe Valley Astronomical Society
They have a bi-monthly newsletter, Nebulous News. The LVAS is active in education, viewing nights in Gippsland and is developing an observatory near the township of Tyers. The society meets each month (except December and January) at the Wirilda Park and Conference Centre, Tyers, call for details.
Fees: $25 adult, $13 associate $38 family (members living more than 50km from Morwell)
Address: PO Box 1298, Traralgon BC Vic 3844
Contact: Gavan Dinsdale (03) 5174-6453
Email: gdinsdal@hotmail.com
Web: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~lvas/

NSW/ACT

Astronomical Society of the Hunter
The Observatory houses a 16 inch telescope. They also have a club 6 inch refractor and a portable telescope which is used for school, scouts, service club productions and ‘Meet The Astronomers’ nights. The observatory at Altair (Mt Olive) is also available. It has an 18 inch Newtonian with CCD (Phone Technical Officer Ken Charlwood (02) 6577 3220)
Meets at Keay Southern Cross Observatory (near Kurri Kurri) on the 1st Friday of each month at 7:30pm.
Fees: $20 adult, $25 family
Address: PO Box 69, Kurri Kurri NSW 2327
Contact:Col Maybury (02) 4937-4664 (ph/fax)
Email: colmay@kooee.com.au

Astronomical Society of NSW
At ordinary meetings, professional astronomers are invited to talk. The technical meetings are less formal, where members often run discussions. The society runs two observing sites. One an observatory at Bowen Mountain, near Richmond, west of Sydney (housing a 16 inch telescope). The other is their dark sky property Wiruna, near Ilford. This site includes accommodation, amenities and a 17.5 inch telescope. A monthly magazine Universe is also published.
The society holds meetings twice per month at the CSIRO, Division of Radio Physics, Pembroke Rd (cnr Vimera Rd), Marsfield.
Fees: $43 full, $10 juniors (under 18) and $32 student (over 18), $12 for each additional family member. There is no joining fee.
Address: GPO Box 1123, Sydney NSW 2001
Contact:Adrian Saw (Treasurer) (02) 4572-1568
Email: secretary@asnsw.com
Web: http://www.asnsw.com/

Canberra Astronomical Society
Meetings regularly feature guest speakers from both the amateur and professional communities. The society has a broad range of programs to support the beginner through to the very experienced amateur astronomer. Membership includes the CAS monthly newsletter ‘Southern Cross’.
CAS meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of every month (except July and December) starting at 8pm. Due to the fire at Mt Stromlo, the society is temporarily meeting at the CSIRO headquarters. Contact John (below) for details.
Address: PO Box 1338, Woden ACT 2606
Contact:John Howard (02) 6248-0552
Web: http://www.mso.anu.edu.au/cas/

Macarthur Astronomical Society
The society also publishes a monthly journal, Prime Focus, and offers dark sky observing on members sites. The MAS encourages members from novice to expert. They provide Full, Student, Pensioner and Family levels of membership.
The MAS holds meetings, with guest speakers and workshops, every 3rd Monday of the month at 7:30pm at the University of Western Sydney - Macarthur, Building 22, Room 5.
Address: c/- Secretary, PO Box 17, Minto NSW 2566
Contact:Ian Cook 0415-915-771
Email: skyview@zipworld.com.au

The Newcastle Astronomical Society
Most meetings consist of a general summary of astronomy news, followed by a variety of short talks. Observing nights are organised during the year.
Meetings are held on the last Friday of each month (except December), at the University of Newcastle, Lecture Theatre GP, first floor of Linguistics Building at 7:30pm.
Fees: Adult $25, Child/Pensioner $15, Family $30
Address: c/- Dept. Physics, University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW 2308
Contact:Ghul Hussain (02) 4963-4529 or George Barnes (02) 4967-1057
Email: ggbarnes@idl.net.au or ghulhussain1@bigpond.com
Web: http://www.nas.org.au/

Northern Sydney Astronomical Society Inc
The society has a quarterly journal, Reflections. Monthly observing nights are held at North Turramurra golf course.
Meetings are held at the Sports Pavilion, St Ignatius College, Lane Cove on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm.
Fees: $40 adult, $20 student/pensioner and $60 family
Address: PO Box 3002, North Turramurra NSW 2074
Contact:Ron Washington (President) (02) 9949-3544
Email: info@nsas.ozau.net
Web: http://www.nsas.ozau.net/

Sutherland Astronomical Society
The observatory houses a 41cm reflecting telescope, 35cm C14, 15cm refractor, a library and meeting hall. The society also publishes a regular journal and star nights are available for interested groups. There is also a public open night and astronomy course held annually.
The SAS meets every Thursday at 8pm at the Green Point Observatory near Sutherland (visitors welcome), with the main meeting and guest speaker on the 1st & 4th Thursdays.
Fees: $40 full, $30 student/associate, $15 junior/pensioners and $50 for families plus joining fee - full/family $25, others $15
Address: PO Box 31, Sutherland NSW 1499
Contact:Secretary (02) 9589-1014 (voicemail phone/fax)
Email: sasi@sasi.net.au
Web: http://www.sasi.net.au/

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Alice Springs Astronomical Society
One star viewing night is held each month, at their dark sky site 12 km north of Alice Springs, on the Saturday closest to New Moon.
The society holds meetings on the 2nd Monday of each month at the Motor Registry Office, METEL Centre, Nth Stuart Hwy.
Fees:$30
Address: Box 739, Alice Springs NT 0871
Contact:Dan Barnett (President) (08) 8953-8039 or Bob Oostergaard (Sec) (08) 8953-0811
Email: barnett.downunder@bigpond.com
Web: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~asasinc/

Darwin Astronomy Group
Astronomy nights can be organised for schools, clubs as well as amateur telescope making.
Monthly viewing nights are held during the dry season plus special astronomical events.
Contact:Phillip Smith (08) 8945-9450
Email: hapchap@ozemail.com.au
Web: http://members.ozemail.com.au/~hapchap/

QUEENSLAND

Tropical Stargazers
(Formerly Astronomy 20 South) Tropical Stargazers have two branches: The Hamilton Island based group meets regularly during April to December and operates the Great Barrier Reef Observatory. Contact as below.
The Mackay section is a new group which holds regular meetings and viewing nights. Contact: Michael Benedetti Ph: 0407 969 889
Address: PO Box 40, Hamilton Island Qld 4803
Contact:Ray Johnston (Hamilton Is.) (07) 4946-8686 or Michael Benedetti (Mackay) 0407 969 889
Email: star@whitsunday.net.au
Web: http://www.tropicalstargazers.org

Astronomical Association of Queensland
The club also holds regular observing nights, regular astrocamps, public field nights and publish a monthly journal and Annual Proceedings.
Meetings are held on the afternoon of the second Saturday of the month at 2:30pm in the lecture theatre of the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens.
Fees: $35 adult, $50 family, $23 student and pensioner.
Address: PO Box 6101, St. Lucia Qld 4067
Contact:Peter Hall (07) 3378-1173
Email: info@aaq.org.au
Web: http://www.aaq.org.au/

Brisbane Astronomical Society
There is a bi-monthly newsletter. The society holds regular field nights for members and the public, as well as astrocamps. Also observing nights for the public on the Saturday nearest First Quarter Moon, at the Mt Cootha Lookout, from 7pm to 9pm. Everyone is welcome. The society also has a lending library, and telescopes available for loan to members.
Meets on the second Friday of each month at 7:30pm at the Kelvin Grove State High School Library.
Fees: $30 full, $18 pensioner, $26.50 country, $18 junior, $36 family, $32.50 country family & $50 international, also $5 joining fee.
Address: PO Box 892, Brisbane Albert Street Qld 4002
Contact:BAS Infoline (07) 3321-8511 (recorded club information service)
Email: basmail@bas.asn.au
Web: http://www.bas.asn.au/

Bundaberg Astronomical Society
The society also publishes a bi-monthly paper. Regular field nights are held as required.
Meetings are held at Alloway Observatory on every Friday at 7:30pm. The first Friday of the month are general meetings and are not held in January.
Fees: $30 adult, $15 junior and $20 country, no joining fee required
Address:PO box 4221 South Bundaberg Qld 4670
Contact:Trish Gibson (07) 4156-5278 or (07) 4159-7232 (answering service)
Email: iluka@widebay.net.au
Web: http://www.angelfire.com/al/AstronDirectory/

South East Queensland Astronomical Society
They have a quarterly newsletter Universal Times and a library. Telescopes are available to members, including assistance in constructing their own. Public field nights are held at Indooroopilly High School, on the first Sunday of each month. Dark sky visits and residential weekends are organised monthly.
The society meets on the third Tuesday of the month at Chirmside Library from February to November. Meetings commence at 7:30pm and visitors are welcome.
Fees: $25 for adults and concession $15, no joining fees are applicable.
Address: PO Box 60, Everton Park Qld 4053
Contact:David Larkin (07) 3844-7904 or Julie Straayer (07) 3325-2479
Email: dclarkin@optusnet.com.au
Web: http://homepage.powerup.com.au/~mcerlean/index.html

Southern Astronomical Society
Meetings include observing through telescopes. The society holds monthly astrocamps at a dark sky location. It also produces a bi-monthly newsletter.
Monthly meetings are held at Pimpama State School, at Hotham Creek Road, Pimpama, on Saturdays (dates vary with Moon phase), commencing at 7pm.
Fees: $28 adult and $21 student, discount for additional family members
Address: PO Box 867, Beenleigh Qld 4207
Contact:Kevin Dixon (07) 5537-3852
Web: http://www.sas.org.au/

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Astronomical Society of South Australia
The society maintains three sites. The Heights Observatory at Heights School, Modbury, houses a 300mm telescope. A northern country site is at Stockport, 80km north of Adelaide (houses 0.5m, 0.48m and 0.45m telescopes). The southern observing site is located at Douglas Scrub, McLaren Flat (a 0.45m telescope) Public education is important to the ASSA with various lectures and observing nights. The society publishes a monthly newsletter. Monthly public field nights are held at Heights and Douglas Scrub. The Stockport Observatory hosts a quarterly Star Party.
Meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday of each month (except January) at the University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus.
Fees: Full $45, country or concession $35, spouse $25
Address: GPO Box 199, Adelaide SA 5001
Contact:(08) 8338-1231
Email: info@assa.org.au
Web: http://www.assa.org.au/

TASMANIA

Astronomical Society of Tasmania (AST)
Public Open Nights & Astronomy Classes are held at the Canopus Observatory, including monthly observing nights for members. Visitors welcome.
General Meetings are held at either the Canopus Observatory Site at Cambridge or the Hutchins School conference centre, Sandy Bay on the last Tuesday of each month except December.
Fees: $45 family, $40 full adult member, Town & Country and $20 Junior (up to age 18 years.)
Address: Secretary, Mr. Laurie Priest, PO Box 1654, Hobart Tas 7001
Contact: Hobart (03) 6244-3476, Launceston - Karenne Barnes (03) 6344-7100 or Devonport - Peter Sayers (03) 6424-2588
Email: shevillm@southcom.com.au
Web: http://www.ast.n3.net

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Astronomical Group of WA (AGWA)
The AGWA was formed to meet the needs of amateur astronomers and people interested in the night sky, with or without their own telescopes. Activities include: Field trips, seminars by astronomers, workshops and special events and an Annual AstroFest. The AGWA is sponsored by the Binocular, Telescope and Optical World.
The group meets at 7pm on the first Tuesday of every month (see address below), visitors are welcome.
Address: 159A Scarborough Beach Rd, Mount Hawthorn WA 6016
Contact:Keith Williams (08) 9201-0895
Email: btow@iinet.net.au

Astronomical Society of the South West
There is an active junior group which meets twice monthly. Astronomy camps (and more informal evenings) are held during the year at dark sky sites. Membership is open to anyone. A six evening astronomy course for beginners is conducted each year in March/April. Nights for the general public are held during school holidays. Community groups are welcome to book for special nights.
Observing nights are held at their observatory south of Bunbury on the two Fridays before the new moon.
Fees: Ordinary $25, junior/concession $10, family $40
Address: PO Box 1100, Bunbury WA 6231
Contact:Phil Smith (08) 9721-1586
Email: asthecrowflieswest@hotmail.com

The Astronomical Society of WA
The society meets at 8pm on the second Monday of every month (except January) at the South Perth Bridge Club, cnr Brittain Street and Barker Avenue, Como. Special interest groups also meet monthly. ASWA conducts regular Astro-camps at locations with accommodation and dark skies. It also promotes public awareness by holding regular observing nights and offering viewing/speakers to schools and community groups. The Society offers members the use of its library and equipment, and produces a bi-monthly journal - the Sidereal Times.

Postal Address: PO Box 421 Subiaco WA 6008
Contact:(08) 9246-4190 | Email: aswa@aswa.info  | Web: http://aswa.info/