The Barnard Astronomical Society (BAS) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization based out of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Our goal is to further education and the love of astronomy in our community.
BAS monthly meetings are currently held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) Clarence T. Jones Observatory (CTJO) located just off of Brainerd Road. At monthly meetings, we generally have a short business discussion and then members or special guests give presentations with topics that include everything from highlighting celestial objects and events, how to sketch galaxies observed through a telescope, and assistance with picking a beginner telescope. We also sometimes even incorporate a planetarium show. Presentations are typically streamed live and available on our YouTube channel.
BAS community activities within the Chattanooga area include outreach events such as free star parties where the public is invited to view the night sky through telescopes, working with local STEM/STEAM educators, and telescope workshops and buyer guide events. Please check our Events section of the website and our social media platforms to find out details about upcoming public events.
BAS meetings and most events are open to anyone interested in learning more about astronomy. However, we obviously encourage the advantages of Membership, which includes various discounts, our monthly BAS newsletter “The Barnard Star”, and membership in the Astronomical League that includes access to various observing programs and a subscription to their quarterly issue of the “Reflector” magazine. Additional membership benefits include BAS member only activities such as field trips to science centers, planetariums, etc., and private viewing/astrophotography star parties. Membership is open to all levels of knowledge (beginner to advanced) and to anyone with or without astronomy equipment such as a telescope.
Interested in looking good while also supporting local astronomy outreach? The BAS now has merchandise such as shirts, hats, and stickers available through our online store.
Outreach
BAS members will provide telescopes and viewing opportunities for your organization or school event.
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Current Observing Conditions
Provided by Astrospheric