Welcome to MPAS

MPAS is a volunteer-run Astronomical Society, located at Mt Martha on the Mornington Peninsula. It was founded in 1969 to foster the study of all aspects of Astronomy, Space and general Science by volunteers and to promote these to the public.

You can visit us at one of our popular public stargazing nights, where you can learn more about the Universe and take a look through our telescopes at the planets, the Moon and the stars.

We hold a monthly general meeting for the exchange of ideas and information. For decades the Society has provided “Astronomy on the Move” educational presentations, including observing nights for schools and community groups exclusively in the Peninsula and surrounding areas, as well as special exhibitions in the Melbourne CBD and Melbourne Museum.

Become a Member!

Mt Martha Observatory is the Society’s registered astronomical observatory at The Briars Historic Park. It is used to further the Society’s educational, research, innovation and recreational capabilities. Historically this was the first registered amateur observatory in Australia and is one of a network of registered global monitoring stations of night sky light pollution. The Observatory is registered with the Astronomical Society of Australia. We acknowledge the land, water, and sky under which we meet are of the Bunurong and Boon Wurrung peoples and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

Upcoming Events

Update (16/07/2021)July 16, 2021
During the current snap lockdown, Mt Martha Observatory is closed to members and the public.

At this point, we expect our planned public events to go ahead, subject to the lockdown being lifted in time. We will keep all members and ticket holders informed by email.

Click on the links for more details on upcoming events:
- Bookings for public nights are open and filling up quickly.
- On August 20, we present Shooting Stars in the Natural Environment at the Briars as part of National Science Week.
- For events such as our Telescope Learning Day, Astrophotography Workshop and more, keep an eye on our Events page.
Members will be kept up to date about current restrictions and rules via the email list and members Facebook page.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Newsletter / monthly highlights / meeting videos

MPAS Meeting July 2021July 21, 2021
Main talk: “What Is Life?”, by Emeritus Prof. Sir Paul Nurse, video courtesy of the Royal Institution
July: Drink in the many sights around the TeapotJuly 1, 2021
In July, if you look towards the constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius on a clear night, then you are looking […]
Scorpius No. 4 (July/August) 2021June 27, 2021
Topics: Total Lunar Eclipse, Ganymede, Our Moon.
MPAS Meeting June 2021June 16, 2021
Main talk: “The Disappearance of Frederick Valentich”, by Eamonn Gunning (video used with special permission of the Melbourne Marvels website)
No shortage of star attractions for astronomers in JuneJune 1, 2021
June is a wonderful time for night-sky observers in the southern hemisphere. The rich star fields of the Milky […]
MPAS Meeting May 2021May 19, 2021
Main talk: “15 Million Degrees: A Journey to the Centre of the Sun”, by Heliophysicist, Prof. Lucie Green of University College London, public domain video courtesy of the Royal Institution.
May: Meteor shower among a cluster of highlightsMay 1, 2021
The beautiful section of the Milky Way around Crux, the Southern Cross – including the dark nebula known as […]

The Tarantula Nebula (NGC 2070) is a large open cluster located in the southeast corner of the Large Magellanic Cloud. It includes the most massive star known, R136a1. Photo by MPAS member Russell Smith
The Trifid Nebula (M20) is an unusual combination of an open cluster of stars – an emission nebula, a reflection nebula and a dark nebula. Its name means ‘divided into three lobes’. Photo by MPAS member Nick Axaris
The Lagoon Nebula M8 is found within our own galaxy some 5200 light-years from Earth in the constellation Sagittarius. Its shape and appearance resembles a pond of a star-forming interstellar cloud and gas, and it is faintly visible to the naked eye in dark skies. Photo by MPAS member Steven Mohr
NGC 6744 (aka Caldwell 101) is an intermediate spiral galaxy about 30 million light-years away in the constellation Pavo. It is considered a Milky Way mimic, displaying flocculent (fluffy) arms and an elongated core. It also has at least one distorted companion galaxy – NGC 6744A – superficially similar to one of the Magellanic Clouds. Photo by MPAS member Steven Mohr
The Carina Nebula (NGC 3372) is a large, complex area of bright and dark nebulosity in the constellation Carina and is located in the Carina-Sagittarius Arm, which is generally thought to be a minor spiral arm of the Milky Way. The nebula is about 8500 light-years from Earth. Photo by MPAS member Nick Axaris
This pretty cosmic cloud is Robins Egg (NGC 1360), which nests securely within the boundaries of the southern constellation Fornax some 1500 light-years away. Taking its name from its resemblance to a blue robin’s egg, it’s recognised as a planetary nebula and spans about three light-years. Photo by MPAS member Steven Mohr
Flame Nebula – Photo by MPAS member Steven Mohr
M16, the Eagle Nebula, includes the stunning Pillars of Creation and Stellar Spire. Photo by MPAS member Nick Axaris

Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society
Mt Martha Observatory
The Briars, Mt Martha, Victoria

Mobile: 0419 253 252
Email: welcome@mpas.asn.au

Postal address
P.O. Box 596
Frankston, Victoria, 3199