Astronomical Society of Australia (1966 - )

Summary

The Astronomical Society of Australia was founded in 1966, and incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory in 1993. It is Australia's leading organisation for professional astronomers. Aims include to promote the advancement of astronomy and closely related fields, especially in Australia; support the training of young astronomers; foster the public understanding of astronomy; represent the interests of its members; and encourage the activities of the amateur astronomy community. The Society is a member of the National Committee for Astronomy of the Australian Academy of Science, and sends a representative to the annual Science meets Parliament meeting. Prizes awarded by the Society, including the Robert Ellery Lectureship and the Peter McGregor Prize, acknowledge the achievements of members. The Harley Wood Lecture, named after the first President of the Society, has been presented each year since 1984 at the Society's annual meeting.

Details

Awards presented by the Society include:
Peter McGregor Prize (occasionally, since 2016) which recognises exceptional achievement or innovation in astronomical instrumentation;
Louise Webster Prize (annually since 2009) which recognises outstanding research by a scientist early in their post-doctoral career;
Robert Ellery Lectureship (alternate years since 1991) which recognises outstanding contributions in astronomy or a related field;
Bernice and Arthur Page Medal (alternate years since 1973) awarded for excellence in amateur astronomy in Australia and its territories;
Anne Green Prize (annual since 2018) which recognises a significant advance or accomplishment by a mid-career scientist.

Publications of the Society include:
Proceedings (Astronomical Society of Australia) (ISSN 0066-9997) vol. 1-11 (1967 - 1994: continued by;
Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia (ISSN 1323-3580, 1448-6083 online) vol. 12 (1995) -

Related entries

Published resources

Journal Articles

• Lomb, Nick, 'How astronomers focused the scope of their discussions: the formation of the Astronomical Society of Australia', Historical Records of Australian Science, 26 (1) (2015), 36-57, https://doi.org/10.1071/HR14030. Details
• Lomb, Nick, 'Scientific society journals: the publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia', Historical Records of Australian Science, 29 (2) (2018), 112-21. https://doi.org/10.1071/HR18002. Details
• Lomb, Nick and Stevenson, Toner, 'Spreading across the continent: the Astronomical Society of Australia, 1966 - 2023', Historical Records of Australian Science, 36 (2024), 1-13, https://doi.org/10.1071/HR24022. Details
• Orchiston, Wayne; and Bhathal, Ragbir, 'Illuminating Incidents in Antipodean Astronomy: Attempted Formation of the Australian Astronomical Society in 1892', Proceedings of the Astronomical Society of Australia, 5 (1984), 422-425. Details
• Stevenson, Toner and Lomb, Nick, 'Gender diversity in Australian astronomy: the Astronomical Society of Australia 1966 - 2023', Historical Records of Australian Science, 36 (2025), 1-15, https://doi.org/doi:10.1071/HR24022. Details

Resources

• Wikidata, http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q4811645. Details
• VIAF - Virtual International Authority File, OCLC, https://viaf.org/viaf/158866615. Details
• Robert Ellery Lectureship, Astronomical Society of Australia, 2023. https://asa.astronomy.org.au/prizes_and-grants/prizes-awards/ellery-lectureship/. Details
• Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-560010. Details

Resource Sections

• Astronomical Society of Australia, 'Anne Green Prize', 2020. https://asa.astronomy.org.au/prizes_and-grants/prizes-awards/anne-green-prize/. Details

See also

• Whiteoak, J. B.; and Sim, H. L., 'Brian John Robinson, 1930-2004', Historical Records of Australian Science, 17 (2) (2006), 263-281, https://doi.org/10.1071/HR06006. Details