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TAAS Information
TAAS
Membership Application • TAAS Board
of Directors • TAAS Awards
Background
The Albuquerque Astronomical Society (TAAS) is an astronomy club in
Albuquerque, New Mexico. Our members include beginners,
professional astronomers, and everything in between. We attempt to make
astronomy a rewarding pastime for all our members, and to promote
astronomy both as a science and as a hobby.
The Society maintains a close working relationship with the Albuquerque
Public Schools and the University
of New Mexico where we are able to conduct our meetings and aid in the
operation of the UNM
Observatory. The Society's own observatory, GNTO,
is located at a dark site about an hour's drive from Albuquerque where we
operate a sixteen-inch Newtonian Reflector on a German equatorial mount.
The use of this instrument by all members of the Society and their guests
is not just welcomed . . . it is encouraged.
Books, videos, and slides are available to members.
A Compendium of Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Resolutions, Positions, Responsibilities and Other Useful Information of The Albuquerque Astronomical Society has been
prepared by the TAAS Board of Directors and is available for download.
Click Here for the TAAS Compendium.
Activities
TAAS seeks to provide activities aimed at members from all levels of
experience and a wide variety of specialized interests. These activities
include:
- Monthly meetings (usually held at Regener
Hall on the UNM Campus) featuring lectures and programs on many
facets of astronomy. Our speakers include professional scientists and
accomplished amateur astronomers.
- Observing sessions at dark-sky sites, both relatively near town and
at more distant sites.
- Field trips to observatories and other astronomical facilities in
New Mexico and neighboring states.
GNTO
TAAS owns and operates a sophisticated,
computerized observatory facility near Albuquerque equipped with:
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A research-grade 16-inch, equatorially mounted
f/6 Cave Newtonian reflector housed in a two-story domed
observatory.
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A 6-inch AstroPhysics apochromatic refractor in its own dome
for CCD astrophotography.
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A large, groomed observing field with concrete telescope pads,
a warm-up and meeting building, and picnic facilities.
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Free training is available to TAAS members covering the
use of all the observatory facilities.
Public Service
One of the primary functions of our organization is to bring astronomy
to the public and to educational groups. To do this, we:
- Make the lectures and programs of our monthly meetings open and free
to the public.
- Provide exhibits and demonstrations at special events.
- Provide volunteer assistants to help the University of New Mexico on
nights when its Campus
Observatory is open to the public.
- Provide volunteer speakers to school and club groups which desire
programs on astronomy.
Membership
Membership is open to anyone with an interest in astronomy. There are
no age restrictions and one need not own any astronomical equipment to
join. Indeed, we encourage you to join our organization and attend a few star
parties before buying a telescope! Among the benefits of membership:
- Our monthly newsletter, The Sidereal Times, which will keep
you abreast of celestial events, Society meeting and dark-sky
observing sessions.
- Use of Society-owned Telescopes.
- Access to the Society's Astronomical Library.
- An astronomical public domain software exchange for computer owners.
- Access to the Society's Observatory
and large telescopes through cooperative agreements with other
organizations
- You can download our TAAS
Membership Application Here
- The Albuquerque Astronomical Society (TAAS) is a 501(c)3 non-profit
organization devoted to astronomy.
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