Following is a list of Australian astronomical societies. Information is subject to change.
Note: The various activities run by these societies may be affected by pandemic restrictions. See their websites or contact for details.
The Astronomical Society of Albury Wodonga meets as advertised on their facebook page.
Viewing takes place either before or after meetings, weather permitting. Regular projects include telescope construction, grazing occultations and deep sky viewing.
Postal Address: PO Box 1500, Lavington NSW 2641Contact: David Thurley 0418 690 142.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AstronomicalSocietyAlburyWodonga
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The Astronomical Society of NSW holds two meetings per month at Epping, runs two observing sites in NSW and publishes a monthly journal. The society welcomes members from all over Australia, as well as overseas. See their website for further details.
At ordinary meetings, the guest speaker may be a professional astronomer or a society member, with topics ranging from leading-edge developments in astronomy to general interest talks or presentations on recent activities. The society runs two observing sites. One an observatory at Bowen Mountain, near Richmond, west of Sydney (housing a 55 cm telescope). The other is their dark sky property Wiruna, near Ilford. This site includes accommodation, amenities, a 64 cm and a 44 cm telescope. A monthly magazine Universe is also published.
Postal Address: PO Box 870, Epping NSW 1710Contact:
Web: www.asnsw.com
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The Astronomical Society of the Hunter meets on the 1st Friday each even month at 6:30 PM. Postal Address: U23 18 Guest St, Boolaroo NSW 2284
Contact: Col Maybury 0427 889 653
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The Astronomical Society of Coonabarabran meets on the third Wednesday each month at 7:30 pm at Room EG01, Coonabarabran TAFE campus, Robertson Street, Coonabarabran. Postal Address: PO Box 611, Coonabarabran NSW 2357
Contact: Donna Burton secretary 0428 288 244
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AstronomicalSocietyofCoonabarabran/
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The Canberra Astronomical Society meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month except June and December starting at 8 pm. An Introductory meeting begins one hour before the main meeting. The venue is usually the Duffield Lecture Theatre, Mt. Stromlo Observatory, ACT.
Meetings regularly feature guest speakers from both the amateur and professional communities. The society has a range of activities for the beginner to the experienced amateur astronomer.
Postal Address: PO Box 1338, Woden ACT 2606Contact: Matt Greenwood 0406 020 952
Web: casastronomy.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/casastronomy/
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The Central West Astronomical Society Inc (Parkes) meetings are held monthly. See the web site for details. Visitors Welcome.
Public viewing nights are organised and regular observing nights are held twice a month.
Postal Address: PO Box 819, Parkes NSW 2870Contact: Secretary
Web: www.cwas.org.au
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The Clarence Valley Astronomical Society Postal Address: 97 Skinner St, South Grafton NSW 2460
Contact: Steve Fletcher (02) 6643 3288
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Clarence-Valley-Astronomical-Society-inc-666995073329781/
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The Coffs Harbour Astronomical Society Inc meets on the first Monday of each month (except January) at 7 pm at the Boambee East Community Centre, cnr. Bruce King Drive and Pacific Highway, Boambee East. Contact: Win Howard (02) 6653 2742
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Coffsastro/
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The Illawarra Astronomical Society meets at 7:30 pm, every second Tuesday of the month at the Wollongong Science Centre.
There are regular observing nights held at various sites near Wollongong.
Contact:Web: iasenquiry.wixsite.com/website
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/1072248669485545
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The Macarthur Astronomical Society meets at WSU (Western Sydney University) Campbelltown, NSW, on the 3rd Monday of the month, with guest speakers and workshops. They also schedule three dark-sky observing nights per month.
The society also offers dark sky observing on members sites. The MAS encourages members from novice to expert.
Postal Address: PO Box 17, Minto NSW 2566Contact:
Web: www.macastro.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/macastro/
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The Northern Sydney Astronomical Society Inc meets at St Ignatius College at Lane Cove third Tuesday of every month.
The society has a Monthly Showcase of the latest astrophotography photos, runs a regular Beginners Night on Zoom session, and conducts regular evening observing nights at Terrey Hills. See the club’s website for details.
Postal Address: PO Box 56, Lane Cove NSW 1595Contact:
Web: www.nsas.org.au
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The Port Macquarie Astronomical Association Inc holds regular monthly meetings. Check their Website and Facebook page for further information. Postal Address: 1A Stewart Street, Port Macquarie NSW 2444
Contact:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/portobservatory
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The Shoalhaven Astronomers meet at the University Of Wollongong, Shoalhaven Campus, Library and Resources Centre, Seminar Room LG.25 on the third Friday of the month at 7 for 7:30 pm.
Club social viewing nights are held on specific Saturdays at different places around Nowra. They also have a monthly magazine called The Astroflyer.
Postal Address: PO Box 1053, Nowra NSW 2541Contact: Andrew Wood (secretary)
Web: www.shoalhavenastronomers.asn.au
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The Sutherland Astronomical Society meets every Thursday at 7:30 pm at the Green Point Observatory near Sutherland (cnr Green Point and Caravan Head Roads Oyster Bay), with the main meeting and guest speaker on the 1st Thursdays.
The observatory houses a 41 cm reflecting telescope, 35 cm C14 with CCD camera, 20 cm Dobsonian, a library and meeting hall. The society also publishes a regular journal and star nights are available for interested groups. There are public open nights and annual practical astronomy course.
Postal Address: PO Box 31, Sutherland NSW 1499Contact: Maree Emett (Sec)
Web: www.sasi.net.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Sutherland-Astronomical-Society-Incorporated-197498333646458/
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The Sydney City Skywatchers meet at Sydney Observatory on the first Monday of the month (except January and December) at 6:30 pm.
At these meetings, professional astronomers are often invited as guest speakers. Regular viewing nights are also held. The society also publishes a regular newsletter called The Astronomers’ Bulletin.
Postal Address: Sydney Observatory, 1003 Upper Fort St, Millers Point NSW 2000Contact: Secretary, Elizabeth 0419 254 961
Web: www.sydneycityskywatchers.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SydneyCitySkywatchers/
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The Sydney Northwest Astronomy Group (SNAG) meets for viewing and imaging on Friday nights under clear skies at their Kenthurst site. Contact: Geoff Bishop 0413 613 764
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The The Newcastle Astronomical Society meetings are held on the first Friday each month (except January), at the University of Newcastle, General Purpose building 1, level 1, at 7:30 pm.
Most meetings consist of a general summary of astronomy news, guest speakers or short presentations by members and Astronomy DVD screening depending on the programme for the evening. Observing nights are held on Saturday nights following their monthly Friday night meeting or when new Moon occurs, all are welcome to attend. The NAS has had projects such telescope building and mirror grinding, polishing and collimating. There is also a ‘Side-Walk’ astronomy viewing program where members with telescopes can be found roaming the city of Newcastle. Details are on their Facebook page. All are welcome to attend.
Postal Address: 25 Tinobah Place, Maryland 2287Contact: Alan Meehan 0408 789 908
Facebook: www.facebook.com/newcastleastrosociety/
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The University of New England and Northern Tablelands Astronomical Society has regular meetings, see website for details.
The society has access to the UNE Physics Department astronomy and observing facilities, and caters for all levels. Meetings usually include a talk with viewing.
Contact:Web: www.unentas.org.au
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The Western Sydney Amateur Astronomy Group Inc meets at 7:30 pm on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Penrith Observatory, Western Sydney University, Werrington Campus. Hear interesting guest speakers and attend astronomy workshops.
The club has a monthly newsletter and there are also regular observing nights for members at Linden Observatory on the Saturday nights nearest to the New Moon.
Postal Address: PO Box 400, Kingswood NSW 2747Contact:
Web: wsaag.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/WSAAG1
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The Tamworth Regional Astronomy Club Inc holds meetings on the 1st Saturday of every month. The evening commences at 7 pm with an astronomy presentation (approx. 30 minute talk) and then telescope viewing. Members Technical evenings & viewings are also held every Thursday, commencing from 5 pm. All sessions are open to the public to attend.They also operate the Astronomy and Science Centre, see entry under ‘Places’.
The Club has opened its new $2 million Astronomy & Science Centre. The complex includes the Astronomy & Science Centre building, a Planetarium/Observatory and two roll-off-roof observatories to house the club’s major telescopes, including the historic 34 inch Hewitt Astro-Camera which has been converted to CCD Imaging & 36 inch Jos Roberts telescope. They also publish a Journal 2 – 3 times each year.
Postal Address: PO Box 1023, Tamworth NSW 2340Web: www.tamworthastronomy.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/427835424074950/
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The Wollongong Amateur Astronomy Club has monthly meetings on the first Thursday of the month, at 7:30 pm, at the Unanderra Community Centre, Princess Highway Unanderra. Visitors are most welcome to attend.
New Moon and Last Quarter observing nights are held at sites south of Wollongong.
Contact: Jeff Pountney on 0423 972 181 or Joe Perulero on 0466 146 005.Web: waacers.createmybb3.com
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The Gove Amateur Astronomers meets as advised for viewing nights on a Saturday close to the New Moon at a local dark sky site. Their nights are announced on their Facebook page.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GoveAstronomers
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The Astronomical Association of Queensland meetings will be on nominated Saturdays each month from February to December. The normal venue is Lecture Theatre 222, the Parnell Building (School of Maths and Physics), located on the south side of the Great Court, The University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus. Meetings generally commence at 4 pm. Dates of meetings and further details are published on their website.
The club has an extensive lending library, telescopes and equipment members can hire, holds regular observing nights, public field nights and publishes a monthly newsletter and an annual Proceedings. The AGM is held in February each year. Many members are active in astronomical research; several are supported by research grants from the AAQ’s Edward Corbould Research Fund.
Postal Address: PO Box 6101, St Lucia Qld 4067Contact: the General Secretary via the ‘Contact Us’ form on their web site.
Web: www.aaq.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/A.A.Q.astroclub
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The Brisbane Astronomical Society hold meetings each month except January and December, see their website for meeting night details.
They welcome anyone interested in astronomy who wants to learn more about the subject in a supportive club environment. They conduct free public viewing nights from 7–9pm at the Mt. Coo-tha Lookout on the Saturday closest to First Quarter Moon (weather permitting) and regular astrocamps and school nights. Details on all BAS events are available at their website.
Postal Address: PO Box 15892, City East Qld 4002Contact: Peter Allison 0488 140 755
Web: www.bas.asn.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BrisbaneAstronomicalSociety
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The Bundaberg Astronomical Society has regular meetings, see website for details.
Web: alloway-observatory-bundaberg.webs.com
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The FNQ Astronomers Group meet periodically in the Cairns region (Far North Qld) in conjunction with astronomical events as advised on the Facebook page. Contact: Ian Maclean 0417 601 490
Facebook: www.facebook.com/FNQAstronomers
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The Redlands Astronomical Society meets on the first Tuesday of the month at Ormiston College, Ormiston (27 km SE of Brisbane), see web site for details.
This is a small but keen society in the Brisbane area also meeting on another Tuesday for skywatching.
Postal Address: PO Box 2048, Wellington Point Qld 4160Contact: President Rhondda Nickols 0403 185 586
Web: www.ras.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/RASREDLANDS
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The Scenic Rim Astronomy Association meets twice a month on Saturdays near the new moon at their dark site at Laravale (under one hour south of Brisbane), often having a guest speaker or workshop before twilight ends.
Their ‘Social Viewing’ nights are weather dependant. Tea, Coffee & BBQ are available. Visitors & beginners are welcome.
Members have a range of telescopes up to 22 inches of aperture (0.6 metres) and solar scopes. Most are used for visual observing although there are members who focus on astrophotography and they have facilities for radio astronomy. They have an annual public ‘Star Party’, camps on long week-ends and events for eclipses, etc. They also have an active outreach program, attending local schools, special interest groups, charities, etc. The club has a strong social focus and many club functions.
Contact: Joel Bladen (President) 0431 436 500
Web: sraa.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ScenicRimAstronomyAssociation
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The South East Queensland Astronomical Society meets third Tuesday of the month at Bracken Ridge Library from January to November. Meetings commence at 7:30 pm.
They have a newsletter Universal Times and a library. Telescopes are available for hire to members. Public Field nights, ‘Urban Observers’ are held at the Barrett Street Reserve, Bracken Ridge, on the Saturday night around First Quarter Moon of each month (weather permitting). Special events are also organised. Dark sky weekends are organised regularly.
Postal Address: PO Box 60, Everton Park Qld 4053Contact: Julie Straayer 0411 047 439
Web: www.seqas.org
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The Southern Astronomical Society has monthly meetings at 26 – 42 Charlies Crossing Road North, Upper Coomera Qld 4209, see website for details.
Meetings include astronomy presentations and observing through telescopes (weather permitting). It also produces a monthly E-newsletter called Event Horizon. All information on their website.
Postal Address: PO Box 867, Beenleigh Qld 4207Contact: Brendan Junge 0414 750 083
Web: www.sas.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/11624628300/
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The Townsville Astronomy Group Inc holds a monthly public viewing at the Strand in Townsville. In addition there is viewing at a dark site at Oak Valley, usually on two Saturdays around New Moon. Details and updates can be found on their website and in their Facebook group.
Web: www.astronomytsv.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/258136138824/
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The Astronomical Society of South Australia meetings are held on the 1st Wednesday each month (except January) at the University of Adelaide, North Terrace Campus.
Stockport Observatory, the Society’s premier dark sky observatory, is located 80 km north of Adelaide and houses 0.5 m, 0.40 m, 0.38 m and 0.25 m telescopes. Other observing sites are located at Tooperang, south of Adelaide, as well as Whyalla (observing site at Middleback Station), the Northern Yorke Peninsula area (observing site at Wallaroo) and Cambrai (observing site at Meldanda). Public education is important to the ASSA and it conducts various lectures and observing nights. The Society publishes a monthly newsletter. Public viewing nights are held regularly at The Heights School Observatory and Hawthorndene Oval. Public Star Parties are hosted at Stockport Observatory each quarter. ASSA members also participate in various special interest groups and social events.
Postal Address: GPO Box 199, Adelaide SA 5001Contact:
Web: www.assa.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/astronomysa
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The Astronomical Society of Tasmania has regular meetings and observing activities throughout Tasmania.
Public Open Nights & Astronomy Classes are held, including weekly observing nights for members. Regular observing nights are also held in the Launceston area. Visitors welcome.
Postal Address: GPO Box 1654, Hobart Tas 7001Contact: Hobart – Steve Harvey 0419 341 469, Mark Rough – 0418564304, Devonport – Peter Sayers (03) 6424 2588 or email
Web: www.astas.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Astronomical-Society-of-Tasmania-1509813642594126/
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The Astronomical Society of Victoria has monthly meetings, held at 8 pm on the 2nd Wednesday each month, except January, at the National Herbarium, Birdwood Ave, South Yarra. The ASV has 19 specialist sections that also hold regular meetings.
The society has a New Astronomers’ Group to assist new members in learning Astronomy. The ASV has two properties, their Burwood premises (housing a 0.5 m telescope) and the Leon Mow Dark Sky Site (LMDSS) near Heathcote. LMDSS has a 1.016m telescope and a fully steerable Radio Telescope Dish. It is also the venue for the Messier Star Party in March, and Christmas Star-Be-Cue in December. Membership advantages include: their bi-monthly newsletter Crux, the Yearbook, email news, 19 specialist sections, loan telescopes, a library and computer facilities. The society is also involved in the restoration of the Great Melbourne Telescope, visit:- http://greatmelbournetelescope.org.au/
Postal Address: GPO Box 1059, Melbourne Vic 3001Contact: Linda Richmond (Public Relations Officer) M: 0409 403 051
Web: www.asv.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/theasv
Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_asv/
Twitter: twitter.com/ASVAstronomyVic
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The Astronomy Benalla meets on the third Wednesday of each month (unless otherwise specified on website!) at 7:30 pm at Benalla Hockey Club Room, Churchill Park, Waller St Benalla.
Formed early in 2010, club meetings take the form of a short admin meeting followed by an informative presentations. Monthly ‘dark sky’ viewing nights held at Winton Wetlands Viewing Platform (23 km Benalla), with additional ‘in town’ Moon viewing nights regularly added to the program. See website for details.
Contact: Jeff Knight (President) 0407 532 674Web: www.astronomybenalla.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community-Organization/Astronomy-Benalla-101250958556927/
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The Astronomical Society of Geelong has meetings every Friday from 7:30 pm. Section meetings on Thursday nights. Postal Address: PO Box 1799, Geelong Vic 3220
Contact: Secretary 0423 743 908
Web: www.asog.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/730167643776684/
Instagram: astronomical_society_geelong
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The Ballaarat Astronomical Society holds members meetings, 2nd Friday of the month, beginning in February.
Membership is open to anyone over the age of ten 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).
Postal Address: PO Box 284, Ballarat Vic 3353Contact: 0429 199 312
Web: bas.ballaratobservatory.org.au
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The Latrobe Valley Astronomical Society meets on the second Tuesday each month (except Dec and Jan) at the Wirilda Park and Conference Centre, Tyers; call for details.
They have a bi-monthly newsletter, Nebulous News. The LVAS is active in education, current phenomena and public viewing nights
Postal Address: PO Box 459, Moe Vic 3825Contact: Chris Morley 0417 583 239
Web: www.LVAstro.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/lvastro/
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The Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society meetings are held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (except December) at 8 pm at The Briars Astronomy Centre, The Briars Historic Park, 450 Nepean Highway, Mount Martha.
The MPAS have: a society newsletter, an email newsgroup, a YouTube channel, a library of books, magazines, videos, DVDs, telescopes, and binoculars to borrow, specialist sections, regular social events, and regular stargazing nights at the society’s Mount Martha Observatory site and astronomy centre at The Briars, a state heritage Park on the Mornington Peninsula.
MPAS caters for all ages and levels of experience. Regular monthly public stargazing nights are held on the first Friday of each month, and more frequently near National Science Week in August and throughout January, all from 8 pm at The Briars Astronomy Centre, Mt. Martha. The society is renowned for its mobile Astronomy on the Move STEM viewing nights and presentations for schools, school camps, girl guide/scout groups and other community groups, which are available upon request either at the observatory or elsewhere in the surrounding regions. It also conducts frequent observing nights throughout the year for members at The Briars property (an ASA designated optical observatory). The MPAS conducts educational courses during the year in astronomy, and has been a leading contributor of astronomy events in Victoria and nationally during National Science Week since its inception in 1997. It has hosted several state and national conventions of amateur astronomers over the years and actively champions these conferences for promoting excellence in Australian amateur astronomy.
The MPAS has co-ordinated the southern Australasia aurora alert network since 1997 and was the first Australian amateur society contributing to the international Stars4All all-sky photometry network. Visitors are always welcome.
Contact: Peter Skilton 0419 253 252
Web: www.mpas.asn.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mpas0/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mpas_astronomy
Twitter: www.twitter.com/mpas_astronomy
YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCm6XOkIcIflt4y0XRBXpXuw
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The Mount Burnett Astronomical Society has regular meetings, see website for details.
This is a not-for-profit astronomical society based at Mount Burnett in the Dandenong Ranges east of Melbourne. The Observatory was originally built in 1972 by Monash University. In 2011 the site was formally taken over by their organisation and it now has a new life as a community observatory. Their aim is to preserve the facility and to use it to promote astronomy and science to the communities in the Dandenongs.
Postal Address: 420 Paternoster Road, Mt Burnett, VIC 3781Contact: Mount Burnett Observatory hotline 0490 665 004
Web: mbo.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MtBurnettObservatory
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The Snake Valley Astronomical Association meet and observe at the SVAA Clubroom at 825 Linton-Carngham Rd Snake Valley on the closest Friday to the New Moon each month.
We are fortunate to have very dark country sky in Snake Valley, which makes our viewing nights quite spectacular. The benefits of membership, apart from the obvious friendship, is the ability to observe the night sky with more experienced amateur Astronomers willing to help newcomers, and to share knowledge with other experienced Amateurs.
Members are more than happy to give assistance and advice on different telescopes and accessories when newcomers wish to purchase such items and can give tips on better viewing techniques.
We also have a library for members to use containing Astronomy books and magazines, Telescopes, Binoculars and Telescope accessories, and we conduct Astronomy programs in local schools.
We meet and observe as a group on the closest Friday to the New Moon each month at 7:30 pm. Members and visitors are also welcome to call and arrange other Friday Nights. The clubroom is very comfortable and helps take the chill out on those very cold country nights.
Web: ballaratman.wixsite.com/svastro
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The Tallangatta and District Astronomy Club Inc (TADAC) get together once a month at the Tallangatta Showgrounds and various other locations for night sky observing. Contact: Zachary West (president) 0438 863 739
Web: www.tadac.info
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/353336408686606/
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The Astronomical Society of the South West has regular meetings, see website for details. Postal Address: PO Box 1100, Bunbury WA 6231
Contact:
Web: www.assw.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ASSW.Inc
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The Astronomical Society of Western Australia has regular meetings, see website for details. Postal Address: PO Box 421, Subiaco WA 6904
Contact:
Web: aswa-inc.org.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ASWA.Inc
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