About Us

ABOUT THE BIG SKY ASTRONOMY CLUB

In the Spring of 2000, several valley residents were attending an astronomy class at our local Flathead Valley Community College. As a result of their common interest, The Big Sky Astronomy Club was formed in August of that year. Today, the club claims a membership of about 18 amateur astronomers of all ages and backgrounds.

The objectives of our organization are:

(If you have Google Earth installed on your computer, click the GE icon and when prompted, select "Run". Google Earth will open and zoom you right to our club's meeting place at the West Valley Volunteer Fire Department. Otherwise, click inside the circle on the map below to learn more about the Flathead Valley, Montana!)



	ABOUT THE BIG SKY ASTRONOMY CLUB In the Spring of 2000, several valley residents were attending an astronomy class at our local Flathead Valley Community College. As a result of their common interest, The Big Sky Astronomy Club was formed in August of that year. Today, the club claims a membership of about 18 amateur astronomers of all ages and backgrounds. The objectives of our organization are: To share amongst ourselves our common interest in observing the night (and daytime) sky and our varied interests in the science of astronomy. To promote public awareness of astronomy through the sponsorship of public presentations and star parties. To encourage primary, secondary and continuing adult education in astronomical science through presentations at local schools and classes offered at the college. To advance the public's awarenes of the increasing problem of light pollution and to support and promote the use of "dark sky freindly" illumination. (If you have Google Earth installed on your computer, click the GE icon and when prompted, select "Run". Google Earth will open and zoom you right to our club's meeting place at the West Valley Volunteer Fire Department. Otherwise, click inside the circle on the map below to learn more about the Flathead Valley, Montana!) Why Join BSAC? Our members bring with them a wide range of interests and experience. Whatever your interest is, it is likely that one or more of our members also share that interest. No matter what your level of knowledge of astronomy is - from novice to PhD - all that is required is a basic interest and curiosity in the marvelous wonders that reside in our awe-inspiring universe. Our meetings and star parties offer our members a chance to make new friends and to discuss our own personal "discoveries" and recent developments in astronomical research. The club has access to several dark-sky observing sites. Our meetings are scheduled each month during the dark of the moon so that we can take our scopes out and do some observing as a group following the meeting (weather permitting, of course). Other Benefits of Membership Magazine subscription discounts - Both Astronomy Magazine and Sky and Telescope offer our club members discounts on subscriptions to their magazines. To be eligible for the discount, you must process your initial subscription or renewal through the club. Star Parties - We sponsor at least two public star parties each year. Check our Events Page for details on this years parties.
	If you are interested in joining the Big Sky Astronomy Club, our current Information and Membership Brochure is available for download (0.5 MB) in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) by clicking on the image at left. In it, you will find additional information about the club, our club's meeting schedule and a membership application. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer already, you will first need to download and install the free software. Just click on the logo below to open another browser window at Adobe's download page where you can get the reader. After opening the brochure in Acrobat Reader, you can print it out, fill out the membership application and mail it to us.