Telescopes
Can someone help me to learn how to use my telescope?
We hold workshops to provide tips for members about operating their telescopes and navigating the night sky. Details.
We also hold meetings for members who are interested in astro-photography. Details.
We may also be able to answer some questions from members on our FaceBook group page or by e-mail : contact@macastro.org.au.
Can I borrow a telescope?
Yes. We have telescopes suitable for our members to borrow. Details
Membership
How do I join Macarthur Astronomical Society?
1. Your application form needs to be sent to the Membership Officer and the appropriate fee needs to be paid into the MAS bank account.
2. For your first financial year you will pay a pro-rata for the number of months remaining in the financial year plus a joining fee.
3. Go to the Join MAS page and scroll to the Membership Fees Table.
4. Select the row for the current month and the column for the class of membership. This indicates the reduced pro-rata fee for the remainder of the MAS financial year (which terminates at the end of February). Then add the fixed joining fee to obtain the total fee payable.
5. Go to the Payment page for payment options. It is very important to identify the payment with your name and the words new membership.
6. Download the application form, print it, fill it out and send a copy to membership@macastro.org.au and tell us how much you have paid.
How do I renew my annual MAS membership?
Please make your renewal payment during the month of March.
1. Go to the Renewals page to determine the current annual fee. Then
2. Go to the Payment page for our payment options.
To avoid a rejoining fee, you must renew by 30th April.
My MAS membership lapsed. How can I re-join?
Please follow the same procedure as a new member. You will be required to pay the joining fee.
What are the payment options?
We accept direct bank transfers. See Payment page. It is important that you identify the payment with your name and the words new membership or renewed membership.
Website
I want to change my MAS password.
Go to the Members Login page and use the “Forgot password” link to reset your password. Please use a strong password.
I can’t login. What do I do?
Your username is in this format: firstname.lastname
If resetting your password does not help, then write to webmaster@macastro.org.au.
How do I contact MAS?
For membership queries, contact membership@macastro.org.au
For website matters, contact webmaster@macastro.org.au.
For all general queries or to ask a question about amateur astronomy, write to contact@macastro.org.au.
We no longer maintain a PO Box mail address.
Members Contributions
How do I submit a photograph to the MAS image gallery?
Logon and navigate to: Post to Image Gallery and follow the instructions to upload your best astro-images to Gallery 1 or other MAS related images to Gallery 2.
Do you have a reference library?
Yes! We have lots of articles about telescopes and astronomy, written by members. Feel free to browse them or contribute your own article. > Details <
Macarthur Astronomy Forum
What is the Macarthur Astronomy Forum?
It’s a monthly platform for notable Australian and international astronomers to share their research and discoveries, in a format understandable to non-scientists.
Details of the next Forum are announced on the Notice Board page as they become available.
Who will be the upcoming guest speakers at the Macarthur Astronomy Forum?
A list of upcoming guest speakers can be viewed > HERE <
How do I change my displayed identification when attending the Forum via Zoom?
We like to know who is attending our Forums and when attending online via Zoom, we ask you to display your full name.
How to display your full name on Zoom.
Public Stargazing Evenings
When is the next MAS public stargazing night?
We sometimes hold stargazing nights for the general public, either at Campbelltown Rotary Observatory or at The Oaks. We will make announcements on the website prior to the next event. Details.
Who owns Campbelltown Rotary Observatory?
The observatory in Macarthur Heights is owned by Western Sydney University. Campbelltown Rotary helped raise public funding to build it. MAS has no financial stake in the observatory but we do hold public stargazing nights there, in collaboration with WSU.
Will I be able to see a flag on the moon?
The flags are not visible using Earth based telescopes but spacecraft in Lunar orbit can pick them out, along with other artifacts left behind by the astronauts.
I just saw a UFO! Who do I contact?
The aliens. Contact the aliens. Ask them to take you to their leader.
But please do not call MAS.