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
- Update (28/05/2021)
During Victoria’s current “circuit-breaker” lockdown, Mt Martha Observatory will be closed and no events will take place. We will keep you up to date when new things change!
After the long COVID break in 2020, we are excited to offer events for the public again!
Click on the links for more details:
- 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.
Our members can use the observatory again, as long as our COVID-safe plan is followed. 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.
Monthly highlights / meeting videos
- MPAS Meeting June 2021Main 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 June
June is a wonderful time for night-sky observers in the southern hemisphere. The rich star fields of the Milky […] - MPAS Meeting May 2021Main 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 highlights
The beautiful section of the Milky Way around Crux, the Southern Cross – including the dark nebula known as […] - MPAS Meeting April 2021Main talk: “The Geology of the Mornington Peninsula”, by Mike Cleeland of Bunurong Coast Education in Inverloch.
- April: Magnificent arc shows the Way
As the skies get dark this month you will notice that the constellations scattered along the arc of the […]
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