Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society

Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society
Sherwood Observatory, home of the Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society
Abbreviation	MSAS
Formation	1969
Type	Astronomical society
Legal status	Non-profit making registered charity
Purpose/focus	Furthering interest in astronomy within the community
Headquarters	Sherwood Observatory, Coxmoor Road, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 5LF, England
Region served	Mansfield and adjacent areas of Nottinghamshire
Main organ	Committee
Affiliations	Member of The Federation of Astronomical Societies
Website	http://www.solarius.net/

Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society (MSAS) is an amateur astronomical society in the East Midlands of England.^[1] It was formed in 1969.^[2][3] It is based at Sherwood Observatory, a 61cm mirror telescope^[2] which it owns and operates.^[1] The observatory lies 3.9 km SW of the centre of Mansfield on one of the highest points in the county of Nottinghamshire.^[1]

The society is a member of The Federation of Astronomical Societies.^[4]

Contents 1 Aims 2 Meetings 3 Outreach 4 Funding 5 Patrons 6 External links 7 References

Aims

The main aims of the society are to:

• further the interests of Astronomy and related subjects within the local community^[1]
• introduce interested members of the general public to the subject of Astronomy^[1]
• provide a forum for education in Astronomy and observational techniques through a joint collaboration with the University of Nottingham^[1]
• provide members with the best observational equipment possible, subject to the financial limitations of the society.^[1]

Meetings

The society holds monthly members-only lecture meetings at the observatory, along with a number of other observing and training evenings for members.^[5]

Outreach

The society runs a night school for those who wish to learn about astronomy and the universe. These are usually held at the observatory on Friday evenings.^[6]

Funding

MSAS is a registered charity. It is funded through member subscriptions, fund raising events, public open evenings held at the society's Observatory, charitable donations and grants.^[1]

Patrons

The patrons of the society are:

• Professor Sir Francis Graham Smith, 13th Astronomer Royal (1982-1990).^[7]
• Professor Michael R. Merrifield, School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nottingham.^[7]

External links

• Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society - official site.
• Mansfield & Sutton Astronomical Society Yahoo Distribution Group.
• Federation of Astronomical Societies (FAS).

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e f g h} Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society web site - Society.
2. ^ ^{a b} No place like dome, Brady Haran, BBC News, 2003-08-23.
3. ^ Wise man of Notts, Sarah Julian, BBC Nottingham, 2007-12-18.
4. ^ Member Societies, The Federation of Astronomical Societies.
5. ^ Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society web site - Membership
6. ^ Mansfield and Sutton Astronomical Society web site - Radio interview.
7. ^ ^{a b} Society Patrons, Sherwood-observatory.org.uk.