The Astronomy Associates of Lawrence

Astronomy Associates of Lawrence (AAL) is a joint university/community organization of people with a common interest in astronomy and science public education. Participation in AAL is open to everyone in and out of Lawrence, whether associated with KU or not!

During the school year (August through April), AAL will usually meet on the LAST SUNDAY of each month to take care of club business, discuss upcoming events, and hold presentations related to astronomy. (Changes are occasionally made to allow for special events and to avoid holidays, e.g. Thanksgiving weekend). Everyone is invited to attend these meetings. We will also meet on the last Sunday of each month, weather permitting, for a Public Observing Session. These sessions will be held at the Baker Wetlands Discovery Center  (BWDC) south of Lawrence.

Check the Events page to (a) discover special astronomical events of interest, (b) find out what's visible in the sky this week, and (c) confirm the meeting dates and Public Observing Sessions. The dates are periodically altered to account for holidays and special events. This page also contains maps and driving directions, and information on other activities and upcoming events that will be hosted by AAL.

The Public Observing sessions will begin the last Sunday in August; the sessions are scheduled to start after twilight. The AAL meetings will begin at 7PM at the BWDC and finish in time to allow attendees to take part in the public observing.

For the summer, AAL runs public observing sessions after the Lawrence Band Concerts every other Wednesday evening. The sessions take place in South Park, west of Mass St. and begin between 9 PM and 9:30 PM, as always, weather permitting.

AAL is affiliated with two national organizations for amateur astronomy, the ASTRONOMICAL LEAGUE,  headquartered in Kansas City, and the NIGHT SKY NETWORK, run through NASA. Links to both organizations are accessible below. Thank you for your time and interest. We wish you clear skies and happy stargazing!

 

Baker Wetlands Discovery Center

BWDC - Site of AAL meetings and Observing Sessions

Group of people gathered around telescope during summer observing

Open Summer Observing after the Band Concert in June at South Park

Lawrence Public Library Session

Public education at Lawrence Public Library on Astronomy Day