Swiss Astronomical Society

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The Swiss Astronomical Society (SAG) is the national umbrella organization of regional astronomical societies and associations as well as the nationally organized specialist groups. It is an association within the meaning of Art. 60 ff. Of the Swiss Civil Code with its seat in Schaffhausen. Today, 32 regional societies and associations (SAG sections) with a total of around 2500 members belong to it.

The languages ​​of the SAG are the four national languages ​​of Switzerland and English. In addition to German, the following versions are therefore also used in the title: Société Astronomique de Suisse (SAS) - Società Astronomica Svizzera (SAS) - Societad Astronomica Svizra (SAS) - Swiss Astronomical Society (SAS).

SAG has been publishing Orion magazine since 1943 , currently with a print run of 1,900 copies and 6 issues per year.

aims

The SAG was founded in Bern in 1938 with the aim of " creating friendly and scientific relationships among amateur astronomers of all professions and age groups." This includes the exchange of information with colleagues and the interested public. Therefore, the SAG is dedicated to "disseminating knowledge about astronomy and related fields of knowledge and promoting the observation activities of its members" . Today, the goals of the SAG mainly focus on the following points:

Publications

  • SAG publishes Orion magazine, which appears every two months.
  • Regular newsletters are published on the SAG website and the minutes of the annual delegates' meetings and presidential conferences are stored.
  • The SAG reading folder is an offer for members and consists of a circular of various astronomical magazines.

Specialist groups

Six SAG specialist groups are currently active:

  • Sun observation specialist group: The members observe the surface of the sun in white light, if possible once a day, and record the number, grouping and stage of development of all visible sunspots. Based on this data, the so-called sunspot relative number is determined, a measure of the sun's activity. Website: http://www.wolfinstitute.ch
  • Specialist group meteor astronomy : The members of the specialist group meteor astronomy deal with the meteoroids, which generate a tracer (meteor) when they collide with the earth's atmosphere. The measurement of the point in time, direction, speed and brightness of the tracer allows the assignment to a meteor shower and thus (mostly) to the mother body of these meteoroids. The numerous automatically working cameras permanently monitor the night sky and form the Swiss meteor network. Website: http://www.meteorastronomie.ch/ Forum: https://www.astronomie.ch/forum/
  • Specialist group star coverings : The members of the specialist group star coverings deal with the observation and recording of stars that are briefly covered by astronomical bodies such as asteroids, moons and planets. The aim of her work is to precisely determine when the light of a hidden star will disappear and reappear. The precise knowledge of the time and place of observation of an occultation event allows firstly the adaptation of the orbital elements of the concealing body, secondly the recognition of double bodies and accompanying satellites and thirdly the determination of the size and shape of the concealing body. Website: http://www.occultations.ch Forum: https://www.astronomie.ch/forum/sternbedeckungen.php
  • Variable group : The members of the variable group deal with the observation, recording and analysis of stars with variable brightness. Observing variable stars provides a lot of information about the state of a star, such as: B. mass, diameter, temperature, internal and external structure as well as its composition, distance and stage of development. The techniques used are also used to discover or confirm extrasolar planets. Website: http://www.variables.ch
  • Small planets specialist group : The members of the minor planets specialist group deal with the search and recording of small bodies such as asteroids, comets and dwarf planets. The regular determination of the position and brightness of these bodies enables their orbital elements to be adapted and allows basic physical statements about the period of rotation, reflectivity, etc. Website: http://www.minorplanets.ch

See also

Web links