Welcome to the Astronomical Society of Victoria
The Society is based in Melbourne, Australia and includes city and country members, as well some in other states and overseas. It attracts people with a wide range of astronomical interests, ages, abilities and experience. Originally founded in 1922, it is the largest such organisation in the southern hemisphere.
Membership is open to all with an interest in astronomy.
Astronomy for the people
Astronomy for the People is an ASV service providing telescopes for schools and public demonstrations. Image by David RolfeMore Info
Membership
Anyone with an interest in astronomy can join the Society. Membership gives you access to the loan telescope program, ASV meetings and our pristine dark sky property.Join now
Image Gallery
View astronomical images taken by members of the ASV - everything from the moon and planets to nebula and far away galaxies.View images
Astrophotography
Our Astrophotography section meets regularly at ASV lodge and has monthly field trips to our dark sky site. The section is very active and new members are always welcome. Read more
Radio Astronomy
Radio Astronomy is a study of the Universe by detecting electromagnetic radiation at different wavelengths. The Radio Astronomy section explores all types of science related topics. Read more
UPDATE ASV SUSPENSION OF ACTIVITIES
Due to the current health situation the ASV executive has reviewed the current situation and has decided to suspend all ASV activities until further notice.
Therefore all section meetings, AFTP and monthly meetings, are suspended.
As a result the LMDSS is effected and will remain closed.
The ASV executive will continue to review the situation and keep all memmbers informed of any changes.
Crux Magazine for February - March
The February-March edition of Crux is now available for downloading by Members.
ASV 2020 Yearbook Online
The ASV 2020 Yearbook is now available in PDF for downloading by Members.
ASV Items For Sale
A section in the ASV Forum has been created for members wanting to buy or sell Astronomical Items.
Please log in to the Members Only section and visit the Forum or click on the 'Chat' icon.
The Great Melbourne Telescope Restoration Project
Here's a link to a story by Liz Clarkson with a number of images of ASV members hard at work in restoring the Great Melbourne Telescope. It gives a little bit of history and outlines the aims and current status of the project to bring this telescope back to Melbourne Observatory, in a working condition for members of the public to look through. It was once the largest steerable telescope in the world back in the late 1880s.
The Great Melbourne Telescope Restoration on Ch 9 News
Many people are not aware that Melbourne Observatory was the home of the largest steerable telescope in the world during the second half of the 1800s. There is magnificent volunteer effort from ASV members to restore the Great Melbourne Telescope and have it reinstalled in its original roll-off roof observatory not far from The Shrine. Channel 9 News presented a report on it recently and if you missed it on air, here's a link to it: https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/status/1058993849224163328
Events 
The ASV runs a large number of events to cater for a broad range of astronomy related interests. Check the website on a regular basis for the latest updates. The next 14 events are listed below - view the calendar page for a full listing of planned events.
Tue 17 March - Tue 14 April
All ASV meetings and activities are suspended and LMDSS is closed.
After much deliberation and consultation, I have decided that the ASV will be suspending all activities for a period of 4 weeks starting today 17th March 2020, due to the worsening situation of the CoronaVirus outbreak. We have a duty of care to our members which we do not take lightly.
This means that our public monthly meeting, AftP events and Section meetings will no longer be held until further notice. LMDSS will also be closed during this time.
Over this period, we will be monitoring the situation closely and as soon as we can, we will return to normal operation.
Thank you for your patience.
Regards,
Steve Pattie
ASV President
Fri 10 April - Mon 13 April
CANCELLED - NACAA XXIX, Parkes 2020
10.00am Fri 10-Apr - 4.00pm Mon 13-Apr
Location: Parkes NSW 2870, Australia
For more information: https://www.nacaa.org.au/2020/about
Wed 15 April
New Astronomers Group (NAG)
7.30pm - 10.30pm
Topic: Our Sun
TheSun, neighbouring Planets & other orbiting bodies to be found in ourcelestial backyard.
Location: ASV Lodge
For more information, contact Section Director: Ken Le Marquand:
E:nag@asv.org.au
Fri 17 April
Lunar and Planetary Section
8.00pm - 10.30pm
Location: ASV Lodge
For more information, contact Section Director: Andrea King
Sat 18 April
Instrument Making Section
2.00pm - 5.00pm
Location: ASV Lodge
For further information contact Section Director: Mark Justice
Mon 20 April
Radio Astronomy
8.00pm - 11.00pm
Radio Astronomy Section meeting
Location: ASV Lodge
For further information contact Section Director: Clint Jeffrey
Tue 21 April
The Diurnals
10.30am - 12.15pm
Location:
Speaker:
Topic:
Location: ASV Lodge
For further information contact Section Director: Patricia Larkin
Wed 22 April
Bendigo Section
7.30pm - 10.00pm
Bendigo District Astronomical Section (BDAS)
For more information, contact Section Director, Noel Harvie E: bendigo@asv.org.au
Wed 22 April
Cosmology and Astro-Physics 101
8.00pm - 10.30pm
Cosmology and Astro-Physics 101
“Beginners Cosmology and Astro-Physics session”
Note: ASV members only
Location: ASV Lodge
Contact: Ross Berner
Mobile: 0403 167 004
Email: cosmology@asv.net.au
Fri 24 April
Club Section meeting
8.00pm - 11.00pm
Club Section meetings are informal and take place on the first and last Friday of the month (public holidays excepted) between 8:00 – 11:00pm at the ASV Lodge.
Come along for a chat, all members welcome.
Sat 25 April - Sun 26 April
Deep Sky Section
6.00pm Sat 25-Apr - 8.00am Sun 26-Apr
Location: LMDSS
If travelling to LMDSS log in at http://asv.org.au/lmdss.php for gate and clubhouse codes.
Bring a plate to share at supper.
For further information, contact Section Director: Paul Gardiner
Sun 26 April
Historical Section meeting
1.00pm - 5.00pm
Location: ASV Lodge
For further information, contact Section Director: Rod Brown
Sun 26 April
Solar Section meeting
2.00pm - 4.00pm
Location: Birdwood Avenue, Birdwood Ave, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia
Location: Meet in the ASV Library at 1:50pm
For more information contact: Russ Cockman, Section Director
Email: solar@asv.org.au
Sun 26 April
ASV Library (Members Only)
2.00pm - 4.00pm
Location: Birdwood Ave., Melbourne
The Library is open at the following times:
+ Monthly Meeting - before 6.00 to 7.45pm and after from approx. 10:00 to 10:45pm
+ Members' Night - from 7pm to 7:50pm
+ Last Sunday of month - 2pm to 4pm
The Library is now in the old Government Astronomers’ Office which is in the north west corner of the main building at Melbourne Observatory.
There are currently a large number of books and magazines, surplus to the Library’s needs, for sale. The sale is on-going whenever the Library is open.
For further information contact Barry Cleland, 0418 356 832
More events: Calendar