Amateur Astronomy
"Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another" - Plato
Why Astronomy?
The starry spectacle of the night sky has inspired and intimidated people since the dawn of humankind. The history of astronomy is long and has faced, time and time again, the universal questions that define our place in the cosmos: Who are we? And why are we here?
In the pursuit of some understanding of our universe, scientists over the ages have devoted their minds to the astronomical sciences. Mathematics, physics and philosophy are entangled in a complex web of theory, discovery, and experiment.
But the wonderful thing about astronomy is that it excludes no one. Young and old, rich and poor, if you look skywards and feel a curiosity, a sense of awe, then you are well equipped for the world of amateur astronomy.
The Astronomical Society of Southern Africa
The society has members from both
the scientific community and the general public, and
has centres
all over the country. Visitors are welcome at their
meetings.
They publish ASSA's Monthly Notes of
the Astronomical Society which are a good source of
current astronomy news and events as well as
historical articles, travel accounts and interesting
bits and pieces.
Have a look at the Education page for more info on observatories, planetaria and astronomy courses.
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Hubble directly observes Planet Orbiting Fomalhaut.
