Blogs

I'm pleased to announce a new addition to the web site. Crago Corner will document the renovations taking place at the Crago Observatory to prepare for the installation of our shiny new 22" SDM Dobsonian. Members might notice a link to Crago Corner in the User Menu on the left hand side of the site. (Note you must be logged in to see this) or take this link: Work begins | The Astronomical Society (asnsw.com)

With many of us carrying less cash these days, we've decided to set up a payment page on the website for Wiruna new-moon fees.

You can access the payments page in 3 ways:

The ASNSW 2021 calendar is now available here: https://www.asnsw.com/node/1170

A one-page PDF version is available below. 

Please note that meeting venues have been left as "TBA". Details will be provided when individual meeting notices are emailed to members. 

Fire Season

The statutory Bush Fire Danger Period runs from 1 October to 31 March. If you are planning to light a fire in the open during this time, you will need a Fire Permit. This means - NO burning off at Wiruna, and NO use of the incinerators (as they don’t have a spark arrest system) unless YOU want to apply for a permit! Please take care this summer.

Crago Observatory has reopened for ASNSW members only, and they must bring their own observing equipment. There is currently NO SHARING of telescopes, eyepieces or any optical devices whilst social distancing is in force. 

Crago Observatory has a Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CragoObs/

I am happy to advise that, after a long hiatus due to COVID-19, our Friday night meetings will resume this month - online via ZOOM.

Our next scheduled meeting will be held next week, on Friday 25 September 2020. Dr Jesse van de Sande (ARC DECRA Fellow) will be speaking on the topic of "What to Galaxies and Shadow Puppets have in common?" Further details of this meeting are available here: https://www.asnsw.com/node/1598

An email notification will be sent to ASNSW members next week with details of how to join the meeting.

Some progress has been made on the online offering: Introduction to Astronomy Online (I2AO).

The main index is here: http://www.asnsw.com/node/28

The new sections cover:

Part 7: Earth, Sun and Moon (https://www.asnsw.com/node/1378)

Part 8a: The Solar System (https://www.asnsw.com/node/1379)

Dear Members,

This year, the current situation with COVID-19 still places restrictions on meetings. Hence, the ASNSW committee has decided to take advantage of the temporary provision by Fair Trading* to hold AGMs electronically. Please read through this email so that you have all the information and please note, at the bottom, the request to return your expression of interest in attending the AGM and/or the Zoom Training Meeting.

1. The AGM

The cloud is going to stay around, so I am cancelling tonight's crago observing session.

Dear Members, 

Dear Members,
As anticipated, we are now able to reopen Wiruna, subject to certain conditions. The committee has completed a COVID-19 Safety Plan for Wiruna. The detailed Safety Plan is available here and you are encouraged to read it.