Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club (Lexington, KY)

General Information About the Club

The Bluegrass Amateur Astronomy Club belongs to the Great Lakes Region of the Astronomical League .

We usually have a winter meeting on a Friday in January and possibly also one Friday evening in February. The meeting(s) begin at 7:30 p.m. in Room 178 of the Chemistry-Physics Bldg. on the UK campus (Rose St.). Park in the Rose St. parking structure free across the street.

Warm weather observing sessions take place one Saturday evening a month (usually the one nearest the new moon) from March through October. The observing sessions, which are open to the public, take place at Raven Run Nature Sanctuary on Jack's Creek Pike in rural Fayette County. They begin around sunset and last two to three hours. Usually, we show the public objects the first hour or two, and them have some time to ourselves after the public leaves. There are no cloud/rain dates, and on average, the events happen about 50% of the time. The main gate is open to the public for parking and park personnel there will direct people to the observing field. Persons with telescopes can drive up a dirt road by the barn (turn off just before the main gate) and park at the edge of the observing field. People parked in the observing field can stay longer than the public. Always phone the park around 6:30 p.m. (272-6105) to see whether the event is a go.

Events and other news are emailed out to members by the club president. Often, we arrange other special observing events at locations such as the UK Arboretum and Shaker Village, and these events are communicated to members this way plus added to the website.

Dues are $10 annually. Make a check payable to BGAAC and send it to club treasurer Geoffrey Wallace, 1121 Iron Lace Court, Lexington, KY 40509. Please include your phone number and email address. Members can subscribe to Sky and Telescope magazine through the club for a reduced rate that about pays for the membership. Our treasurer will have the details.

If you have any specific questions about astronomy or the club, please contact the president.