[ASA] Invitation to join the History of Australian Astronomy Chapter (HAAC) and the first workshop

[Toner Stevenson]

Dear fellow ASA members,
On 9 July at its 2025 AGM, the ASA announced a new chapter titled the History of Australian Astronomy Chapter (HAAC). Information on the chapter and its activities are on its website: https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/iTH8Cq71mwfkXm3vktZf6uEEbYL?domain=asa-haac.org and join us on Instagram<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/VXU1Cr81nytn2LYOnCzh8u4Yk0Z?domain=instagram.com>  @asa_haac and Facebook<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/01WCCvl1rKiLAM5ZLuziRuQqoTK?domain=facebook.com>.
The history of astronomy in Australia is rich and diverse. It includes the observations of First Nations peoples, optical and radio astronomy, professional and amateur astronomers, the formation and operation of organisations, developments in education and political involvement. HAAC aims to create a community that can collaborate and share knowledge between those researching in this area, and those who have an interest in the history. All ASA members with an interest in history are invited to join HAAC. Instructions on how to do so are on the ASA chapters page: https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/61JfCwV1vMfVyYmnVTKs4uJMehq?domain=asa.astronomy.org.au.
HAAC’s first annual online workshop will be held on 19 November, 2:00 - 5:15pm (AEDT). All ASA members are invited to participate: https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/rluBCxngwOfRxrVjRHRtnuyy4_X?domain=events.humanitix.com.
There are several short presentations showing the breadth of the history of Australian astronomy. Speakers include Fred Watson and Duane Hamacher. Among topics covered are astronomers who have been innovators, the continuing connection Indigenous Peoples have to the night sky, changes in technologies, people who have impacted our understanding of the cosmos and women who conducted scientific work behind the scenes.
If you have any questions or comments please let me know.

Best regards

Nick Lomb (Chair) and Toner Stevenson (Secretary)
On behalf of the HAAC interim steering committee

[cid:187e2a65-7614-4fdb-9089-3b773be07ca0]<https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/rluBCxngwOfRxrVjRHRtnuyy4_X?domain=events.humanitix.com>

Dr TONER STEVENSON | Honorary History Affiliate, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, The University of Sydney

Astronomical Society of Australia Associate member | History of Australian Astronomy Chapter provisional secretary

President Sydney City Skywatchers | Member of the Royal Society NSW


I acknowledge and pay respect to the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation and all First Nations Peoples of Australia and the Torres Strait Islands. As I share my knowledge and learn about astronomy and its heritage, I also pay respect to the knowledge embedded forever within the Aboriginal Custodianship of land, sea and sky. Was, is and always will be Aboriginal Land.

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.sydney.edu.au/pipermail/asa/attachments/20251013/91e913ee/attachment.htm>
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: Outlook-wgk53k03.png
Type: image/png
Size: 75841 bytes
Desc: Outlook-wgk53k03.png
URL: <http://mailman.sydney.edu.au/pipermail/asa/attachments/20251013/91e913ee/attachment.png>