The Benefits of ASA Membership

Benefits to the Profession

• You join with other members of your professional society and help the ASA represent our collective interests. The ASA represents you on the:
  • National Committee for Astronomy (NCA) of the Australian Academy of Science (AAS). The AAS is Australia's link with the International Council for Science (ICSU) and its constituent bodies and committees, in particular the International Astronomical Union (IAU). The NCA is the standing committee of the AAS which advises on astronomical matters including international relationships.
  • Standards Australia committees LG2 (Road Lighting) and LG10 (Obtrusive Lighting)
  • Donovan Astronomical Trust
  • Science & Technology Australia (formerly FASTS) which aims to represent the interests of scientists and technologists throughout Australia.
  • International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) which aims to to preserve and protect the nighttime environment.
• Science meets Parliament is an annual event organised by Science & Technology Australia where several ASA members are given the opportunity to talk to Federal parliamentarians.
• The Annual Scientific Meeting, building the community by bringing together Australian astronomers from all branches of astronomy, and allowing host institutions to exhibit themselves to colleagues and prospective students.
• Publication of a refereed scientific journal Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia (PASA)
• Recognition of outstanding long term contributions to the astronomy community
• Ellery Lectureship
• Public outreach activities via the:
• Education and Public Outreach Chapter (EPOC)
• Australian Astronomy (WIA) web site
• Harley Wood public lecture
• Astronomy Factsheets on items of public interest
• David Allen Prize for outreach publications
• Interaction with the amateur community via the
• Page Medal for excellence in amateur astronomy
• Email exploder to the amateur community
• Collective response to community challenges b e.g. NCRIS funding, Stromlo bushfires

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Benefits to the Member

• Membership is an important addition to the CV, with recognised 'Member' (MASA) and 'Fellow' (FASA) status.
• Communication via the ASA exploder and archive, giving news, notices of meetings, job etc.
• Access to membership of special interest 'chapters' - ANITA, EPOC and Women in Astronomy.
• Discounted registration at the Annual Scientific Meeting.
• Discounted (10%) ASA membership for AIP members.
• Discounted (10%) AIP membership for ASA members.
• Personal access to PASA.
• 'Open Access' for the world to your PASA papers.
• Discounted subscription to Annual Reviews of Astronomy & Astrophysics
• Prizes:
  • Louise Webster Prize for outstanding research by a scientist early in their post-doctoral career.
• Factsheets on items of public interest
• Opportunities to 'sample' the political process as an ASA represesntative at Science meets Parliament.

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Extra Benefits to Students

• Harley Wood Winter School, bringing together postgraduate students from across Australia.
• ANITA summer school for theoretical astrophysics.
• Astroinformatics School - Computational skills and techniques for modern astronomy.
• Awards:
  • Bok Prize for fourth year (honours) students.
  • Charlene Heisler Prize for PhD graduates.
• Access to travel grants (Student members only):
  • One international travel grant of up to $1000
  • Support of attendance at the attendance at the Harley Wood Winter School

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