AAQ Special Interest Sections

Solar System Section

The Solar System Section was formed in 2003 to encourage members to observe our nearest neighbours. Telescopic viewing of the Sun, Moon and Planets is rewarding for the amount of detail that can be observed and the ever changing appearance of the bodies as they rotate and orbit around the Sun. An added benefit is that you do not need to travel to remote dark sky sites to observe these objects as they are bright enough to observe through suburban light pollution from the comfort of your own back yard. The AAQ has a Lunar Observing Programme for those wanting to know more about the Earth’s satellite and holds, weather permitting, Lunar and Planetary observing nights in Brisbane once a month between March and November.

Images courtsey of NASA and ESA

It is not the intention of this web site to provide extensive scientific information on the solar system but rather to provide practical information on what can be seen through an amateur telescope and the observational activities that can be pursued by amateur astronomers. There are numerous other web sites on the internet that provide detailed information on the solar system bodies and our current scientific understanding of them. Links to a selection of the better external web sites are provided in the following subsections on specific solar system subject. Contact the Solar System Section Director for further information on the AAQ observing programmes and field nights.

Back To Sections Main Page

Astronomical Association of Queensland 2006. www.aaq.org.au