Astronomical Societies, Associated Groups and Organisations

 

National Astronomical Societies and Associated Groups

Name Website / Description
The Society For Popular Astronomy Society for Popular Astronomy“The SPA is for anyone who’s new to astronomy. Whether you’re young or old, a beginner or an experienced skywatcher, there’s something for  you. We aim to make stargazing fun!”
The Royal Astronomical Society The Royal Astronomical Society“The Royal Astronomical Society (RAS), founded in 1820, encourages and promotes the study of astronomy, solar-system science, geophysics and closely related branches of science.”
British Astronomical Association
British Astronomical Association“Formed in 1890, the British Astronomical Association has an international reputation for the quality of its observational and scientific work. Membership is open to all persons interested in astronomy.”
The Federation of Astronomical Societies Federation of Astronomical Societies“The Federation of Astronomical Societies aims to be a body of societies united in their attempts to help each other find the best ways of working for their common cause of creating a fully successful astronomical society.”
The Society for the History of Astronomy
The Society for the History of Astronomy“Founded at Wadham College, Oxford in June 2002 the Society for the History of Astronomy is the UK’s national society focusing on the history of the great science, especially at the local and regional level.”
British Interplanetary Society British Interplanetary Society“The British Interplanetary Society (BIS) is Britain’s leading think tank on space development. Founded in 1933, it is the world’s longest established organization devoted solely to supporting and promoting the exploration of space and astronautics.”
Dalby Forest Dalby ForestThe society’s observatories are located at the Low Dalby Astronomy Centre in Dalby Forest, run by Forestry Commission.

Other Local Astronomical Societies

Name Website / Description
Whitby and District Astronomical Society Whitby and District Astronomical Society“The Whitby and District Astronomical Society was established in 1997, since when members have given regular Star Parties to local people and visitors, on Whitby’s West Cliff during summer, the Bruce Observatory at Whitby School during the rest of the year, as well as – on invitation – to schools, and local groups in Whitby and its surrounding villages.”
York Astronomical Society York Astronomical Society“The York Astronomical Society was founded in 1972, about the time that Apollo 16 went to The Moon. It was formed by a few members of a previous astronomy group that had disbanded in the late 1960′s.The core values of The York Astronomical Society are basically to demonstrate, educate and promote the subjects of astronomy, spaceflight, and any associated sciences to the people of York, and the surrounding Yorkshire regions.”
Hull and East Riding Astronomical Society Hull and East Riding Astronomical Society“An astronomical society has flourished in Hull since the 1920s when it formed part of the Hull Literary and Philosophical Society. The advent of the Second World War brought about its demise. It was reborn in 1953 as the Hull and East Riding Astronomical Society and utilised a small observatory in Kingston High School under the patronage of the founder Dr Cameron-Walker.”
Leeds Astronomical Society Leeds Astronomical Society“The Leeds Astronomical Society was established in 1859 and is still very active.Our Society is open to all comers: we have no distinctions according to age or experience!”
Durham Astronomical Society Durham Astronomical Society“The society is a group of enthusiastic amateur astronomers who are keen observers. We have meetings once a month with a talk on one particular aspect of astronomy and regularly get together to observe the night sky. We have close links with other astronomical societies in the North East of England, in particular the Cleveland & Darlington Astronomical Society. We also actively support the Wynyard Planetarium and Observatory at Wynyard Woodland Park, helping to arrange observing events and activities for young and old.”
Cleveland and Darlington Astronomical Society Cleveland and Darlington Astronomical Society“Cleveland and Darlington Astronomical Society (CaDAS) came into being in January 1990, following the merger of two neighbouring societies, Cleveland A.S. and Darlington A.S., which had existed since 1979 and 1980 respectively.Though many of our members are casual or “armchair” astronomers, we also have several dedicated and expert observers among our ranks. Keith Johnson and Jurgen Schmoll are both experts in astrophotography who’s images are regularly featured on BBC’s Sky at Night programme.”
North East Group of Astronomical Societies North East Group of Astronomical Societies“The North East Group of Astronomical Societies (NEGAS) is a loose affiliation of all amateur astronomical societies in the North-East of England, stretching from Northumberland to North Yorkshire; set-up to promote their activities and astronomy within the area. It formed from the former Northern Area Group of Astronomical Societies (NAGAS).”

Organisations

Name Website / Description
National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) NASA“NASA’s vision: To reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind.To do that, thousands of people have been working around the world — and off of it — for 50 years, trying to answer some basic questions. What’s out there in space? How do we get there? What will we find? What can we learn there, or learn just by trying to get there, that will make life better here on Earth?”
European Space Agency (ESA)
European Space Agency“ESA’s purpose shall be to provide for, and to promote, for exclusively peaceful purposes, cooperation among European States in space research and technology and their space applications, with a view to their being used for scientific purposes and for operational space applications systems”
UK Space Agency UK Space Agency“The UK Space Agency website is your first stop for information about the UK’s civil space programme focused on winning sustainable economic growth, secure new scientific knowledge and provide benefits to all citizens.”
International Astronomical Union (IAU) IAU“The International Astronomical Union (IAU) was founded in 1919. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation.”
Minor Planetary Centre (MPC) MPC“The MPC is responsible for the designation of minor bodies in the solar system: minor planets; comets, in conjunction with the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT); and natural satellites (also in conjunction with CBAT). The MPC is also responsible for the collection, computation, checking and dissemination of astrometric observations and orbits for minor planets, comets, and natural satellites.”