The Trinidad and Tobago Astronomical Society was founded in 1966 by a small group of amateur astronomers who had a vision of a vibrant and active Astronomical Society in the country. Since then, the Society has met regularly and the membership has grown steadily. Parallel with the growth in numbers has been a mushrooming of the range and interests of the Society. The Society is now well established and it makes a valuable contribution to the intellectual life of Trinidad and Tobago, maintaining both informal and formal links with the international Astronomy community.

Objectives

The primary objective of the Society is to encourage an interest in and an appreciation of Astronomy in Trinidad and Tobago Astronomy in Trinidad and Tobago. Towards this end the Society provides a forum for its members to meet and pursue their interests in the various aspects of Astronomy. The Society is also committed to extending its influence beyond its membership to the general public in furtherance of its objectives.

Regular Meetings

The Society meets every month and it also holds observing sessions throughout the month. The main feature of the monthly meeting is a lecture on a topic of general interest to members. At each meeting, the opportunity is provided for members to use the telescopes before and after the lecture if viewing conditions are good. For variety, meetings sometimes take the form of quizzes, slide shows or video presentations. Regular sessions are arranged to introduce members to the basic skills of Astronomy such as reading the sky map, setting up and using the telescope, and the selection and use of binoculars for stellar observation. Meetings are normally held in the Sir Frank Stockdale Building at the University of the West Indies by kind permission of the University which has given the Society strong support from its inception, and with which the Society maintains a good relationship.

Viewing

The Society currently owns a number of telescopes which are available for members. Weather permitting, the telescopes are set up on meeting nights to view the more interesting objects in the night sky at a particular time. In view of the Society's aim in promoting astronomy, observing sessions are also arranged, on request, for youth groups, schools and various organizations and members of the public. The Society telescopes are kept at the Sir Frank Stockdale Building where the hut housing the Society's largest (300cm) telescope has been erected on the roof. Individual members also own telescopes and other equipment which is used when timing the occultation of stars by the Moon. This is a recent Society activity which has been refined to achieve great precision. Society timings are taped and sent to IOTA (International Occultation Timing Association) for inclusion with other data collected throughout the years.