Make a payment online to CMHASD here. The Society meets weekly every Thursday evening at 7:45pm. Enquiries about membership, or attending for the first time, should be directed to the Secretary of the Society. Below is a summary of the various memberships the Society has on offer, Full Membership being the most popular:
Basic & Junior*
- Reduce rate for 2020/21
- Full access to:
- Observing Sessions
- Observatory***
- Society Nights
- Informal Evenings
- Workshops
- £3 fee payable for each:
- Professional Lecture
Full
- Reduced rate for 2020/21
- Full access to:
- Observing Sessions
- Observatory***
- Society Nights
- 22 Professional Lectures
- Informal Evenings
- Workshops
- (i.e. everything!)
Student**
- Reduced rate for 2020/21
- Full access to:
- Observing Sessions
- Observatory***
- Society Nights
- 22 Professional Lectures
- Informal Evenings
- Workshops
- (i.e. everything!)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that some members may be on a reduced income, the Committee have agreed to reduced subscription rates for the membership year 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022 only. Normal rates are £95 for full members, £35 for basic, junior and student members and £5 fee for professional lectures for basic members.
* Junior members must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and can attend lectures for free with their fee paying parent or guardian.
** Student members must provide evidence that they are in full-time education.
*** After passing a proficiency test.
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CMHASD can claim Gift Aid of 25 pence from HMRC on every £1 from you pay towards donations and subscription payments at no cost to you! Please complete this claim form to make this happen if you have not yet done so. |
Member Benefits
Professional Lectures
are usually 90 minutes long and are given by professional astronomers, university and college lecturers, astronomy experts and highly regarded amateur astronomers. Our 22 lecture programme is the jewel in our crown.
Observatory
Use of the Dick Chambers Observatory, housing a 16” Meade LX200 Schmidt Cassegrain telescope, is available to members who have successfully completed a proficiency.
Observing Sessions
Take place from the Sutton-at-Hone Pavilion, one of the darkest sites in Dartford, free access to all Society telescopes.
Society Nights
take place 8 times a year. All members are encouraged to attend these evenings as news updates and events in which the Society is involved in are given and talks from members are made.
Workshops
are usually conducted by more advanced members imparting knowledge covering subjects such as which telescope to buy, imaging and observing. Often members are encouraged to take part in any projects which are starting up or on going.
Informal Evenings
are less structured evenings which can include carrying observations, using the Dick Chambers Observatory and socialising. It is a great opportunity for beginners to approach advanced members for advice and mentoring such as how use their telescope, imaging, etc.
Equipment
comprising of three Dobsonian telescopes with digital setting circles and access to our meteor camera. Also, we have a library of books, periodic journals and popular monthly astronomical magazines with latest editions free to borrow.
Weekly meetings
Unlike most astronomical societies we meet every week, not monthly, on Thursday evenings from 7.45pm.