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The Astronomical Association of Queensland (AAQ) is Queensland’s original astronomical body, with its history extending back to 1896, when a group of people met in Brisbane and agreed to collectively purchase a 6-inch Grubb telescope for £ 70. The Association’s principal objectives are the fostering of the science of astronomy, encompassing research and public education, and the encouragement and support of observational astronomy.

Meetings are held monthly at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium and regular field nights are held in Brisbane and at dark sky sites. The AAQ publishes a monthly newsletter and has an extensive library available to members. Members may also hire telescopes owned by the AAQ. Public observing nights can be arranged for community groups and schools.

The AAQ has a number of special interest sections that are described in the following pages of this web site.

Membership is open to all those with an interest in astronomy.

Next Meeting:

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens, Mount Coot-tha Road, Toowong.
4:00 - 6:00pm, Saturday 12 July 2008

The main item is The Story of Sirius Observatories by John Hay.

Deep Sky Observing: Cunningham's Lookout (near Warrill View) at 4:00pm, 28 June 2008.

Lunar And Planetary Observing: following the Ordinary General Meeting, 12 July 2008, Beanland Street Park, Jamboree Heights.

What's New:

Congratulations Tim!

AAQ President Peter Anderson presenting Tim Napier-Munn (left) with the Queensland Astronomical Societies' Achievement Award for 2008. The occasion was the Combined Societies meeting at Griffith University on 20 June. Tim received the award for his work with double star observations to formulate a prediction of resolution for a combination of telescope, observer and conditions. Tim acknowledged the work done by AAQ members in 2007 to collect observations for a range of telescopes, locations, magnification and experience.

Arthur Page, a past president of the AAQ, has featured in an Eye on Queensland television article (if necessary, search for surrender a near disaster in ninemsn videos). Dr Arthur Page has a long and illustrious list of achievements as an amatuer astronomer, including extensive observations of flare stars. (see pages 143 to 147 of Explorers of the Southern Sky: A History of Australian Astronomy). A book on his experiences in the second World War has recently been published and is recommended reading.

Entries from Max Kilmister in the Members' Gallery. AAQ members can contribute photographs and articles to our Members' Gallery, or to special interest sections of this site. Please refer to the Members' Gallery for information on how to submit your contribution.

The Variable Star Section Director has a page on Methods for the Visual Observation of Variable Stars.

The 2008 President relates his history and that of the AAQ in From the President.

The Double Star section of the AAQ has a special challenge (PDF 142KB) for keen observers - a set of difficult doubles to test the accuracy of the new AAQ model for predicting double star resolution. Take the challenge! Refer to the the AAQ Resolution Survey for background information and the form for submitting observations.

Field Nights For 2008

The calendar of AAQ events for 2008 is available (91KB PDF).

AAQ Lunar Observing Programme - Introduction & Geology Basics and Crater Moltke.

Reviews of selected books in the AAQ Library. Updated library catalogue.

Links:

See our links page for a selection of hyperlinks to astronomical sites.

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Astronomical Association of Queensland 2008 www.aaq.org.au