
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.

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
Our popular Public Stargazing nights are open for bookings. You can now also purchase Gift Certificates for these events!
Bookings for stargazing for schools and scouts & guides are also always welcome.
Mt Martha Observatory is open to members.
Newsletter / monthly highlights / meeting videos
- May: Artistic LibertyThe Milky Way rises high in the south this month, with Sagittarius and Scorpius sitting in the east –… Read more: May: Artistic Liberty
- Scorpius No. 3 (May/June) 2025Topics: Vale Roger Cleverdon; Kosmos 482 re-entering; Celestial poles.
- MPAS Meeting April 2025Main talk: “Astronomical Spectroscopy: Understanding The Complex Chemistry Hidden Between The Stars”, by Prof. Martin McCoustra, Herriot-Watt University, Prof. Serena Viti, Leiden Observatory, Netherlands, and Prof. Wendy A. Brown, University of Sussex, courtesy of the Royal Society of Chemistry and Chemistry World, London.
- April: Impressive, by GumAs the skies get dark this month, you will notice that the constellations scattered along the arc of the… Read more: April: Impressive, by Gum
- MPAS Meeting March 2025Main talk: “The Secret Life of Snowflakes”, by Prof. Kenneth Libbrecht, California Institute of Technology, courtesy of the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics, Ontario, Canada.
- March: Nebula draws awayObserving the night sky from southern latitudes this month with a good pair of binoculars will give you plenty… Read more: March: Nebula draws away
- Scorpius No. 2 (March/April) 2025Topics: Bentleigh Festival; Vale – Tony Nightingale; Largest radio jet observed; Tarantula nebula.
Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society
Mt Martha Observatory
The Briars, Mt Martha, Victoria
Email: welcome@mpas.asn.au
Postal address
450 Nepean Hwy,
Mt Martha VIC 3934