ASSA Archive

The Astronomical Societies of Southern Africa.

Precursor Societies

There were at least four precursor Societies before the Astronomical Society of South Africa (A.S.S.A.) was established. The Cape Astronomical Association was established in 1912. There are references to the Johannesburg, Pretoria and Natal Astronomical Associations but we do not have any archival material available.

Cape Astronomical Association

The Cape Astronomical Association was established in 1912 and we have archival material available.

Astronomical Society of Southern Africa

The Society was founded in 1922 as the “Astronomical Society of South Africa”. In 1956 the name was changed to the “Astronomical Society of Southern Africa”

National Council of A.S.S.A.

Archival material for the National Council

Centres of A.S.S.A.

Bloemfontein Centre

The Bloemfontein Centre was founded on 18 March 1959. [Bfn Centre History 1959-2005]. At times it was referred to as the Free State Centre.
The archive have no material on the Bloemfontein Centre. For current information visit their assa website or their own website which have a history section.

Cape Centre

The Cape Centre was founded on 8 Nov 1912 as an independent society – the first astronomical society in Southern Africa. It was known as the “Cape Astronomical Association” (CAA) and in 1922 amalgamated with the “Johannesburg Astronomical Association” (JAA) to form ASSA. The CAA became the Cape Centre of ASSA. [MNASSA Vol71 Nos 11 & 12, Dec 2012 p.237]
The archive have material pertaining to the Cape Centre. For current information visit the assa website or their own website.

Durban (Natal) Centre

This Society started as the “Natal Astronomical Association” (NAA) in 1922. The NAA joined ASSA in 1932 and became the Natal Centre of ASSA. The Centre changed the name to Durban Centre in 2000. In the same area another astronomical society known as the “Natal Society of Amateur Astronomers” (NSAA) existed and in 1956 they amalgamated with the Natal Centre. [mnassa_v1-v15_1942, p.502 / mnassa_v14_n8_1955-Aug p1 / co_19560723]
The archive have material pertaining to the Durban Centre. For current information visit the assa website or their own website.

Garden Route Centre

The Garden Route Centre of ASSA was founded on 7 February 1998. [MNASSA vol 57 nos 3&4 April 1998, p.9]
The archive have no material on the Garden Route Centre. For current information visit their assa website.

Harare Centre

The Harare Centre of ASSA was founded in 1982 and suspended operations in ? due to political instability in Zimbabwe. [assa_handbook-1982]

Helderberg Centre

The Helderberg Centre was founded in 1993. [MNASSA Vol52 Nos 7 & 8, August 1993, p.50]

Hermanus Centre

The Hermanus Centre of ASSA was founded on 21April 2009. [MNASSA vol 68 nos 5&6 June 2009, p.85]
The archive have no material on the Hermanus Centre. For current information visit their assa website or their own website.

Johannesburg Centre

The Johannesburg Centre was founded as an independent society – the second astronomical society in Southern Africa. It was known as the “Johannesburg Astronomical Association” (JAA) and in 1922 amalgamated with the “Cape Astronomical Association” (CAA) to form ASSA. The JAA became the Johannesburg Centre of ASSA. [MNASSA Vol71 Nos 11 & 12, Dec 2012,p.240] During the Second World War the Johannesburg Centre ceased to function and only around 1947 did it begin to become active again. This Centre was sometimes referred to as the “Transvaal” or “Witwatersrand” Centre.
The archive have no material on the Johannesburg Centre. For current information visit their assa website or their own website.

Natal Midlands Centre

The Natal Midlands Centre was founded in 1975 and ceased to exist in 2010 [assa_handbook-1975].
We have archival material for the centre.

Port Elizabeth Centre

The date that the Port Elizabeth Centre of ASSA was founded is unknown (earliest date known is 1947 [mnassa_v6_n9_1947-Sep p77]). The society opted to dissolve the Centre on 1 July 1965 for unknown reasons. [co_19650505 p2] At present Port Elizabeth have no Centre of ASSA but there exists an independent society known as Port Elizabeth Peoples Observatory Society.

Pretoria Centre

The first astronomical society in Pretoria was known as the “Pretoria Astronomical Association” (PAA). [Gundry, Philip G: Obit: JASSA v2n4 p.205] The ASSA members living in Pretoria used to be members of the Johannesburg Centre but founded the Pretoria Centre in 1971. [assa_handbook-1971]
The archive have no material on the Pretoria Centre. For current information visit their assa website or their own website which do have an archival section.

Salisbury Centre

The Salisbury Centre was founded in 1977 but ceased to function in 1982 [assa_handbook-1977 – 82]