We're amateur astronomers! Folks who love to observe the night sky for the sheer beauty we find there with our eyes and our telescopes. We're your neighbor, your grocer, your doctor, or your pastor. We're welders, technicians, artists, teachers, lawyers, custodians, writers, operators, housewives and children. We're seasoned observers who occasionally try advanced techniques, and we're beginners learning our first constellations. We use telescopes, binoculars, cameras and even the naked eye to see and experience the fascinating and beautiful wonders of the night sky.
The Arkansas/Oklahoma Astronomical Society is a very active astronomy club. We regularly offer classes in Basic Astronomy and hold "star parties" for both our own members and the public, either at our new location eight miles northwest of Van Buren or at area towns and schools. We offer Astronomy Workshops for area educators and occasionally provide guest speakers to area schools and organizations.
In addition, the Arkansas/Oklahoma Astronomical Society is a proud member of The Astronomical League, a world-wide association of clubs and organizations devoted to broadening the public's awareness of astronomy and the sky.
AOAS is constantly seeking substantial donations to add, upgrade and expand our equipment inventory, to make improvements to our observing site (Coleman Observatory), and to someday establish and operate the area's first planetarium as our major long-term goal.
Memberships are one of the ways to provide funds to keep our club running as a first-class organization. If you or someone you know is interested in astronomy, consider joining our group. As of January 1, 2006, memberships are a flat $40 per year for individuals or your whole family (everyone living under the same roof.) Family members living separately (different locations) are considered as separate individuals. Club benefits include delivery of our quarterly newsletter each January, April, July, and October, invitations to all club activities and functions, and the right to borrow for one-month terms, any AOAS-owned telescopes and any Books, CD-ROMs, or DVDs in our AOAS library. AOAS members enjoy discounts on all club sales items as well. Your current membership card will be required to check out all materials from Coleman Observatory. Privileges will be suspended for failure to return items on time. All items are loaned for one month only!
The AOAS holds their regular meetings on the second Saturday of each month at 7:00PM at the Lake Fort Smith Visitor Center north of Mountainburg, Arkansas. Meetings normally take place in the Multipurpose Room at the Visitor Center. In May, June, July, August and September, we hold star parties at the Lake Fort Smith State Park Marina rather than meet at the Visitor Center. Short business meetings are held before the star party begins in those months.
Club Officers for 2015
2015 Committee Positions
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AOAS.ORG
http://www.aoas.org/staticpages/index.php?page=2003061822055515