British Astronomical Association
The British Astronomical Association (BAA) is the main national association of amateur astronomers in Great Britain .
The association was founded in London in 1890 by amateur and professional astronomers in order to offer a basis for everyone interested in astronomy, regardless of social rank and especially gender. From the start, women, who could not join the Royal Astronomical Society until 1915 , played a leading role. So functioned Annie SD Maunder (1868-1947), wife of co-founder Edward Walter Maunder (1851-1928), for many years as editor of the Journal of the British Astronomical Association .
Today the aim is to support astronomical observations in areas that cannot be covered by professional observatories . The BAA also organizes observation campaigns on special occasions such as solar and lunar eclipses or Venus transits .
Members receive a bi -monthly journal of the British Astronomical Association , an observation guide, an annual manual (with charts and astronomical events), and access to meetings and the association's collection of books and equipment.
The association is organized in different sections that specialize in different aspects of astronomy. He is the founder and promoter of the Campaign for Dark Skies , which combats increasing light pollution .