Astronomical Society of Edinburgh

The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh (ASE) is an association of amateur astronomers and other individuals interested in astronomy, which is based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The objectives are to encourage astronomical study and observation and to increase popular interest in astronomy.[1]

Astronomical Society of Edinburgh
Established1924
Location
Websitehttp://www.astronomyedinburgh.org/

History

The ASE was founded in 1924 as the Edinburgh Astronomical Association; it changed its name in 1937. The founding president was John McDougal Field, who was also deputy to the City Astronomer William Peck at the City Observatory on Calton Hill. At that time, the honorary presidents were Peck and the Astronomer Royal for Scotland, Ralph Allan Sampson. Field continued to run the City Observatory after Peck's death in 1925.[2][3][4]

The painter John Henry Lorimer was a member and vice president from 1930 to 1933. Upon his death in 1936, the ASE inherited the bulk of his estate. The ASE created the Lorimer Medal, connected to a series of high-profile public lectures.[5]

Field died in 1937, which led to an arrangement with the Edinburgh Corporation for the ASE to have a free lease of the Calton Hill Observatory and for a grant to the ASE to operate the observatory. This arrangement continued until 2009.[6][5][7][8] In 1953, the ASE moved its own base and venue for its lectures and meetings from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society at Randolph Crescent to the Calton Hill Observatory.

Since leaving the City Observatory in 2009, the ASE has transferred the venue for its monthly lectures and meetings to the Augustine United Church hall on George IV Bridge in the centre of the Old Town in Edinburgh.[9] Meetings are normally held on the first Friday of each month (except August), and are open to the public free of charge. Since 2020 these public meetings are also normally broadcast live via the ASE's YouTube channel.[10]

Affiliations

The society is a member of the Federation of Astronomical Societies and is a registered Scottish charity (Charity Number SC022968).

Honorary Presidents

There are usually two Honorary Presidents,[11] one of them the Astronomer Royal for Scotland. The current holders of the positions are:

See also

References
  1. The Astronomical Society of Edinburgh – Constitution and laws. Astronomical Society of Edinburgh. 2019. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  2. "Edinburgh Astronomical Association". The Scotsman. 17 March 1924.
  3. "Astronomical Association of Edinburgh". The Scotsman. 11 October 1924.
  4. "Astronomical Association of Edinburgh". The Scotsman. 17 October 1924.
  5. Report by the Council and accounts for the period to 31st December 1937 (PDF). Astronomical Society of Edinburgh. 1938. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  6. Hector Macpherson (28 October 1937). "Edinburgh City Observatory". The Scotsman.
  7. Astronomical Society of Edinburgh annual report for 2009 (PDF). Astronomical Society of Edinburgh. 2010. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  8. "Site History". Collective (art gallery). Retrieved 12 July 2021.
  9. mark. "Meetings". Astronomical Society of Edinburgh. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  10. "Astronomical Society of Edinburgh - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  11. "Past Honorary Presidents". Astronomical Society of Edinburgh. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
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