Johannesburg Centre, Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

Here you will find details of...

Monthly meetings

Unless otherwise noted, General meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month (except December), starting at 20h00 sharp, at the Observatory. Donations to cover refreshments would be appreciated. The public are welcome to attend. 

Note: Beginners' Classes and Telescope Driving Courses are usually run concurrently, in the hour preceding the General meeting. If you wish to attend these, just arrive, but please be there by 19h00 to prevent delays in starting the main meeting. Whether or not the courses are running on a given day depends on the availability of instructors; although we try to announce changes in plans beforehand, you take "pot luck" in this regard.

Public viewing

From time to time, generally on the Friday nearest First Quarter, the Centre opens its domes at the Old Republic Observatory to the public starting time around 19:30.  Please note that attendance must be negotiated and confirmed with the Viewing Officer. Check that viewing is taking place on the specified evening. If you take a chance and just pitch up and somebody is there, you are in luck - but if there isn't, don't complain.

A nominal charge will apply, which is used to cover refreshments and general maintenance of the instrumentation. 

Other activities

Apart from our monthly meetings, the Centre is involved in various other projects and activities, including occasional excursions, Special Events, & competitions. Find out more here:

Etiquette, Caveats & Disclaimers

Visitors and members new to our activities please take note ...

• All events hosted by the Astronomical Society are attended at your own risk

• Don't have unrealistic expectations: you will not see images like the photos published in books or those found on the Internet. They were probably taken by Hubble or or some other other multi-billion Dollar observatory. Amateur equipment obviously can't compete with that - but you will be capturing real photons with your own eye, rather than getting a second-hand impression

• Many obstacles can interfere with successful image viewing: sky, weather, light pollution, temperature, equipment, experience, etc. Such is life. If the event is washed out, enjoy the cameraderie.

• Inside an observatory, temperatures are much like outside. It gets cold at night, even in Summer... dress accordingly (gloves, jerseys, etc.) 

• You may have to climb a ladder to reach the eyepiece

• All equipment is delicate, fragile and expensive. Only the certified operator may operate the equipment 

• Do not touch the telescope or optical equipment (except your eye touching the eyepiece cup), unless specifically instructed by the operator. You are encouraged to focus the instrument for your eyes, but first ask how before doing so.

• If anything is broken or damaged during the visit please notify the operator immediately - accidents do happen 

• The environment should be kept calm even as we all enjoy the fun and excitement of the sky 

• Children not under the strictest control for behavior, movement or noise, will be dismissed. (We understand they get excited by unusual outings, but do you really want to be responsible for replacing expensive instrumentation that your child has inadvertantly knocked over?)

• No lights or torches: It takes a long time to dark adapt. Be considerate of others who have already begun the process. At worst, switch to parking lights when approaching or leaving the parking area. Turn off your car's interior light, if possible.   Only dim red torches are permitted, and must be pointed directly at the ground. (This is for your own safety! It is pointless to make enemies on your first visit.) 

• Show consideration when parking. Try not to park near the instruments, as the heat given off by the car damages the images and interior/reversing lights destroy night vision. We are also not charmed by getting dust on our optics.  Even your car's tail lights or reversing lights can destroy other observer's night vision or imaging attempts. If you do not plan on staying the night, please leave your car in the car-park. You can power your scope from a stand alone battery or perhaps from generator power, which is usually available.  In return for not ruining their night sight, other observers will happily help you move your scope when you plan to leave.

• Most observers have made the trip to look at the sky. It's not fair to turn up at a star party with a new scope, and expect someone to teach you to drive it. We have beginners classes for that sort of thing.

• Only those sincerely interested should be included in Public Viewing groups: space is limited and it is not fair to displace someone with a genuine interest