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
Love Under The Stars
Looking for something special to do with your loved one this Valentine's Day? Why not spend it under the stars and be treated to a night of astronomy. The ASV is holding a special event “Love Under The Stars” at Caulfield Racecourse Reserve. Once you have collected your platter and drinks and settled in for your picnic the team at the ASV will be treating you to a tour of the night sky, a live-stream of deep-sky objects by Sidereal Trading Pty Ltd and viewing through the ASV’s 18-inch telescope.When: February 14th 8pm - 11:30pmWhere: Caulfield Racecourse Reserve (access through Gate 21)Cost: $190 Per Couple (includes a boutique grazing platter by The French Providore accompanied by your choice of wine provided by the Grape & Grain).Bookings: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/704577?bof=1Limited to 50 couples so get in quick!Additional Bottles of wine or beer can be purchased as add ons if required. All drinks must be purchased prior to the event.BYO picnic rugs/chairs and wine glasses.*All funds raised will go to our Pathways To The Planets Project.
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Gift Certificate
Looking for that unique present to buy a loved one or friend? Well, look no further.... share the universe with a gift a one-year membership to the Astronomical Society of Victoria. Contact us via email |
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ASV Monthly Meetings
The ASV Monthly Meetings (held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month) are now being streamed through our public Facebook page and YouTube channel.Our next Monthly Meeting is on Wednesday 10th February 2021 starts at 8:00 pm and Professor Ilya Mandel, Monash University will give a presentation on Gravitational Wave Astronomy.The presentation will be followed by Perry’s Sky for the Month.The Monthly meetings are live-streamed to our Facebook page via YouTube.Missed the meeting?You can now catch up on the ASV YouTube channel |
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LMDSS Update - COVID SUMMER
The LMDSS is now open, under the COVID SUMMER guidelines, for All members from 21st December 2020.
Please see the LMDSS Access Information page in the Members area for more information.
Pathways to the Planets
Here at the Astronomical Society of Victoria, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn about and observe the wonders of our universe.
That's why we've initiated our Pathways to the Planets project - to raise valuable funds for improving the facilities at our dark sky site which will enable access to the site and purpose-built astronomical equipment for limited mobility and low vision observers.
To read more about this exciting project or to donate to this incredible cause, please visit: Pathways to the Planet
Crux Magazine for December-January 2021
The December-January edition of Crux is now available for downloading by Members.
Crux Extra!
Crux Extra comes out weekly with articles on Astronomy and related areas.
Visit the Members Area and go to Downloads.
ASV 2021 Yearbook Online
The ASV 2021 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.
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.
Wed 27 January
Council
7.45pm - 10.15pm
ASV Council meeting
Mon 1 February
Computing Section
8.00pm - 10.00pm
For further information contact Section Director: Craig Boyd
Location: ASV Lodge
Wed 3 February
Cosmology and Astro-Physics Section Meeting
8.00pm - 10.30pm
Discuss current news in Cosmology and Astro-Physics
Topic: "Extreme Supernovae"
Location: ASV Lodge
“All Welcome – Bring an Open Mind”
Note: ASV members only
Contact: Ross Berner, Section Director
Mobile: 0403 167 004
Email: cosmology@asv.org.au
Sun 7 February
Astrophotography Section meeting
2.30pm - 4.30pm
Topic: TBA
Presenters: TBA
Location: ASV Lodge
For more information, contact Section Director: Paul Litchen
Wed 10 February
ASV Monthly meeting
8.00pm - 10.00pm
Location:
Topic: Gravitational Wave Astronomy
Speaker: Professor Ilya Mandel, Monash University
Everybody is welcome and the night will end with a delicious supper and it is FREE
Looking forward to seeing you there.
Fri 12 February
Junior Section
7.30pm - 9.30pm
Location: ASV Lodge
Meeting times:-
7:00pm - 9:00pm (EST)
7:30pm - 9:30pm (DST)
For further information contact Section Director: Chris Rudge
Sat 13 February - Sun 14 February
Deep Sky Section meeting
6.00pm Sat 13-Feb - 8.00am Sun 14-Feb
Location: LMDSS
Bring a plate to share at supper.
For further information, contact Section Director: Paul Gardiner
Mon 15 February
Radio Astronomy (via Zoom)
7.45pm - 10.45pm
Radio Astronomy Section meeting
Location: Online Via Zoom
For further information contact Section Director: Robert Arrowsmith
Tue 16 February
The Diurnals
10.30am - 12.15pm
Location:
Speaker: TBA
Topic: TBA
Location: ASV Lodge
For further information contact Section Director: Patricia Larkin
Wed 17 February
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 17 February
New Astronomers Group (NAG)
7.30pm - 10.30pm
Topic:
Location: ASV Lodge
For more information, contact Section Director: Ken Le Marquand:
E:nag@asv.org.au
Fri 19 February
Lunar and Planetary Section meeting
8.00pm - 10.30pm
Location: ASV Lodge
For more information, contact Section Director: Andrea King
Sat 20 February
Instrument Making Section
2.00pm - 5.00pm
Location: ASV Lodge
For further information contact Section Director: Mark Justice
Wed 24 February
Council
7.45pm - 10.15pm
ASV Council meeting
More events: Calendar