| The Society aims to promote public interest in
astronomy and the related sciences in southern and western Oxfordshire
and surrounding areas in the United Kingdom. The Society organises a
varied programme of meetings and observing evenings throughout most of
the year and tries to cater for all levels of experience, from absolute
beginners to experienced astronomers.
The Society enables you to make contact with other people interested in the night sky. Whether you are a complete beginner or an active observer there is always someone worth meeting to share knowledge and experiences. If you are interested in joining the Society, you are very welcome to come along to a meeting to see the Society in action. Please use this link to find information on where and when the Society meets. |
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| AAS members explain how to see comet Hale-Bopp, Abingdon market-place, 29 March 1997 |
The Society was formed in 1979 by a small group of keen amateur astronomers, with the principal aim of promoting public interest in astronomy and the related sciences. The Society first met in Fitzharry's School in Abingdon and named itself Fitzharry's Astronomical Society. In 1996, long after the connection with the school had ceased, the Society changed its name to Abingdon Astronomical Society - a name which shows more clearly the area which the Society serves.
| At these meetings there are various astronomically related items available for members' use and information, combined with a discussion-cum-workshop arranged around a chosen topic. Occasionally a lecture by an outside speaker is arranged. | |
Available at the meeting are:
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AAS Chairman, Bob Dryden, introduces Dr Julian Hiscox, who spoke to the Society at the October 2002 meeting. |
Beginners meetingsThese additional hall meetings were first introduced for the 1998/99 programme. These are particularly aimed at beginners and novice astronomers, and allow the basics of amateur astronomy to be covered in more detail than is possible during the main hall meetings. |
 Dr Hiscox (Reading University) gave an interesting talk on the search for life in the Solar System. |
Observing eveningsRegular observing evenings are organised so members get the chance to look through a telescope. Usually several telescopes are there so you do not need to own a telescope to take part. Locations and dates of these evenings vary and are announced at the hall meetings. |
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Occasionally we organise visits to observatories, etc. These are announced at the hall meetings.
The Society has five telescopes that members can borrow. Use this link for further information.
For an additional subscription you can receive a news sheet that is issued after each hall meeting, giving details of any event announced at the meeting. If you miss a hall meeting, you may miss out on observing evenings, visits, or interesting astronomical events because you did not know they were happening. The news sheets will keep you up to date. For details on how to receive them, see the notice board or a committee member. During its meetings season, the Society now produces a monthly newsletter of astronomical and Society news, which is available at each meeting.
After the hall meetings, if there is time, some members go round the corner to the local pub for a drink and a chat. You are welcome to join them.
Further information about the Society can be found in our Welcome Pack, which can be downloaded here (1.2 MB).
| Comments to Webmaster@abingdonastro.org.uk | Last revision: 22 August 2004 |
