Beginner's guide

Your local astronomical society

The leading society for amateurs is the British Astronomical Association (Burlington House, Piccadilly, London), which holds monthly meetings and issues a journal, as well as various other publications. Again, there are no formal qualifications required for membership. Few societies have any restrictions on membership, all you need is enthusiasm. Naturally, different societies have different procedures, but all have regular meetings and some have excellent observatories, which are available to members; even if there is no observatory, you are sure to meet telescope owners.

Quite apart from straightforward viewing, many societies organise set programmes of research which are very valuable. Astronomy is just about the only science in which amateurs and professionals work closely together. You can join in!

The advantages of joining a local society can hardly be over-emphasised. Moreover, most of them are affiliated to the BAA, and there is a network organisation covering the whole of the British Isles. Contacts are also made with societies abroad - astronomy is the most international of all the sciences.

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