History

• First official meeting of the Astronomical Society of Tasmania held at the Friends School, Hobart,on June 9th. A report of the meeting was published in The Mercury.

• The Society became affiliated with the British Astronomical Association and received their publication, Journal of the BAA

• The Society conducted a series of 8-week lectures with the Adult Education Board.

• The first Society Annual Dinner was held at the Bavarian Tavern.

• Adoption of the new Astronomical Society of Tasmania Constitution on March 4th. 

• The 12th National Australian Conference of Amateur Astronomers was hosted by the Society in Hobart with over 70 people attending from throughout Australia.
• Opening of the Sonning Crescent Observatory by Professor Graeme Ellis at the residence of Jim and Libby Rogers during the May General Meeting.

1990

• The Society conducted its first Public Open Night at Weld Street, Hobart. This format proved very successful and is still the basis of similar events today.

1991

• First northern General Meeting of the Society held at the Queen Victoria Museum in Launceston.

• Start of the close association between the Society and the University of Tasmania Physics Department with the use of the 16” telescope at Canopus Hill.
• Commencement of Adult Education Astronomy Classes presented by the Society. 

• The Society’s first website was established. 

• The Society’s Observatory was transferred to the University of Tasmania’s optical observatory at Canopus Hill and renamed the “Jim Rogers Observatory”. 

• Newly designed publication, The Bulletin, launched.

• The Society’s move to new facilities at the Mount Pleasant Radio Astronomy Observatory was completed and the first joint Society-UTAS Public Open Night was held.