Events
Events and Activities
ASSA runs activities throughout the year, including General Meeting nights with Astronomy Education, public viewing nights, member observing nights, dark-sky camps, school visits, group bookings, seminars and social events.
The general public are welcome at General Meeting nights, Astronomy Education sessions and public viewing nights. Member-only activities, including some dark-sky viewing nights and camps, may require ASSA membership and advance booking.
General Meetings and Astronomy Education Public viewing nights Become a member
Public Events
General Meetings and Astronomy Education
Astronomy Education at 7:00 pm, followed by the General Meeting at 8:00 pm
ASSA's monthly meeting night combines a short beginner/intermediate Astronomy Education session with the main General Meeting presentation. Meetings usually feature a guest speaker, researcher or ASSA member presentation, plus Society updates.
Suitable for: public visitors, beginners, new members and existing members
Public Viewing Nights
Look through telescopes with ASSA volunteers
Public viewing nights give visitors a relaxed opportunity to look at the Moon, planets, star clusters and other suitable objects through members' telescopes.
Suitable for: families, students, first-time visitors and anyone interested in the night sky
Member Activities
Member Viewing Nights
Regular observing sessions for ASSA members
Member viewing nights are held at ASSA observing sites and give members time to observe, image, practise equipment use and learn from one another.
Suitable for: ASSA members, visual observers and astro-imagers
Dark-Sky Camps
Multi-day observing and imaging trips
ASSA camps take members to darker regional skies for several nights of observing, imaging, learning and social time with other astronomy enthusiasts.
Suitable for: ASSA members seeking darker skies and longer observing sessions
Special Interest Groups
Focused activities across astronomy topics
ASSA groups support members interested in topics such as astro-imaging, radio astronomy, comets, variable stars, technology and other observing or technical areas.
Suitable for: members wanting to go deeper in a particular area
Schools and Private Group Visits
School and Group Visits
ASSA can support schools, community groups and private bookings with astronomy presentations, telescope viewing or both, depending on the event, location, volunteer availability and observing conditions.
Suitable for: schools, community groups, clubs and private events
Which Event Should I Choose?
| I want to... | Best starting point | Who can attend? |
|---|---|---|
| Learn practical beginner astronomy and hear the main monthly presentation | General Meetings and Astronomy Education | Public and members |
| Look through a telescope for the first time | Public Viewing Nights | Public and members |
| Observe regularly at darker ASSA sites | Member Viewing Nights | Members |
| Spend several nights under dark skies | Dark-Sky Camps | Members |
| Arrange astronomy for a school or group | School and Group Visits | By arrangement |
Weather and event changes
Outdoor astronomy events are weather dependent and may be cancelled or changed if conditions are unsuitable. Please check the relevant event details before travelling.