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 (22/10/2021)October 22, 2021

Now that the lockdown in Victoria has ended, Mt Martha Observatory will be open again to members and, in a little while, also to the public.

We will offer public stargazing again from January 2022 (bookings will be available soon). In the meantime, stay up to date by following us on Facebook!

The observatory will be open to members on certain dates, and subject to current restrictions. We will keep members up to date via the email list and members Facebook page.

Please contact us if you have any questions.

Newsletter / monthly highlights / meeting videos

October: Settle in for Orionid meteor showSeptember 29, 2021
After wonderfully rich views during winter, our October night skies look rather empty – with the exception of the […]
MPAS Meeting September 2021September 15, 2021
Main talk: “The Physics of Black Holes” by Prof. Chris Impey, Observational Cosmologist from the University of Arizona, courtesy of the Royal Institution, London.
September provides a feast for the eyesSeptember 2, 2021
Be sure to enjoy the rich regions of Scorpius and Ophiuchus this month before they sink below the western […]
Scorpius No. 5 (September/October) 2021August 28, 2021
Topics: Chinese Space Station, Photographing Planets, Building a Rich Field Telescope, Binocular Chairs, Polar scope upgrades, Mike Oldfield.
MPAS Meeting August 2021August 18, 2021
Main talk: “Shooting Stars As Part Of The Natural Environment”, by MPAS member Trevor Hand.
August: Meteors star in Science Week talkJuly 30, 2021
In the August skies you can find Sagittarius, the Archer, lying almost overhead; to its southwest lies Scorpius, the […]
MPAS Meeting July 2021July 21, 2021
Main talk: “What Is Life?”, by Emeritus Prof. Sir Paul Nurse, video courtesy of the Royal Institution

M16, the Eagle Nebula, includes the stunning Pillars of Creation and Stellar Spire. Photo by MPAS member Nick Axaris
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
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
Flame Nebula – Photo by MPAS member Steven Mohr
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
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
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
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

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