Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

The Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), formed in 1922, is a body consisting of both amateur and professional astronomers. The Council of ASSA meets in Cape Town. There are 8 autonomous centres throughout Southern Africa.

History

The Cape Astronomical Association was established in 1912, shortly after the 1910 appearance of Halley's Comet. Sydney Samuel Hough, HM Astronomer at the Cape, was chosen President. In 1918, the Johannesburg Astronomical Association was created, with RTA Innes, Union Astronomer, as President.In 1922 it was decided to merge the two Associations to form the "Astronomical Society of South Africa", after an invitation from the Cape Association.

Membership and Publications

Membership is open to all interested persons. The Society publishes the peer-reviewed MNASSA journal (Monthly Notes of the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa). In addition to MNASSA, the annual handbook "Sky Guide Africa South" is distributed to members and available for the public.

Notable members

• Alexander F. I. Forbes discovered comet 37P/Forbes.
• John Francis Skjellerup was one of the founding members of the society. A number of comets carry his name, including 26P/Grigg-Skjellerup and Comet Skjellerup-Maristany. A comet discovery by Skjellerup was one of the main reasons for the formation of the Cape Astronomical Association in 1912.
• John Caiser Bennet served as president of the......
...

Read More