Welcome to the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), a vibrant community where amateur and professional astronomers alike find a gateway to the cosmos. Open to everyone, ASSA embraces members irrespective of their astronomy knowledge or experience.
Alerts
- The 2025 Sky Guide has been published. — 2024 Nov 14
- The latest MNASSA has been published. — 2024 November 19
- The latest Solar Publications has been published. — 2024 Nov 16
- The latest Comet, Asteroid & Meteor newsletter CAMNotes 2024 No. 4 has been published covering the period October to December. — 2024 September 28
- ASSA AGM 26 August 2024
- ASSA Outreach update — 2024 Feb 13
- Tutorial: Celestial direction finding in the southern hemisphere. — 2024 Jan 30
- Digital supplements for the 2024 Sky Guide have been updated. Extensive data tables listing circumstances involving the Sun and the Moon during the year are available for Antananarivo, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Gaborone, Harare, Johannesburg, Maputo, and Windhoek. Predictions for the visibility of the Lunar X are given, as well as star maps showing the path of the planets for the year and the locations of bright asteroids at opposition. — 2024 Jan 12
- Applications have opened for the ASSA Scholarship and the Cooke Scholarship. Applications for 2024 funding should be submitted by 2024 February 16. — 2024 Jan 10
- The Sun, on Christmas Day 2023 — 2023 Dec 26
- Possible outburst of Andromedid meteors on 2 December. (download PDF) — 2023 Nov 06
About us
At ASSA, our National Council and a network of autonomous Centres across the country work together to foster astronomical passion. Joining a local Centre automatically enrols you in the national organization, offering a universe of opportunities. For those in remote locations, our Country Membership is your link to the stars from any corner of South Africa.
The Society publishes the annual Sky Guide and the peer-reviewed journal MNASSA. Additional publications are released from time to time.
Discover the wonders of the cosmos through our specialized Sections. Catering to diverse interests from celestial events to astrophotography, there’s a place for every star enthusiast.
We celebrate excellence in astronomy with prestigious awards like the Gill Medal and Overbeek Award, honouring both advancements in the field and significant contributions to our society. Our Honorary Membership recognizes individuals who have made a remarkable impact in popularizing or advancing astronomy, while our Section Directors commend achievements with Director’s Commendations and Observing Certificates.
Join ASSA for a journey into astronomy. Our community welcomes enthusiasts at all levels, offering a space for learning and sharing under the Southern skies. Your membership awaits!
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