Port Macquarie Astronomical Association Incorporated
The Port Macquarie Astronomical Association Incorporated is a nonprofit organization based in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia. Managed by volunteers, it operates the Port Macquarie Observatory and promotes astronomy through educational programs, public events, and stargazing activities.

History and Operations

Established as a community-driven initiative, the association fosters public engagement with astronomy by offering weekly events, including Friday and Sunday "Sky Stories" presentations featuring telescope viewing sessions, and Wednesday telescope-only sky tours[^1^][^4^]. Activities are designed for all ages, with tailored educational tours for school groups[^1^].

Activities and Outreach

The organization hosts regular night sky viewing sessions using its observational facilities, including a dome housing specialized equipment such as a Plane Wave L500 telescope mount[^4^]. Events emphasize hands-on experiences, allowing participants to observe celestial objects like Saturn's rings, lunar craters, and Venus[^4^].

Membership and Structure

Membership is open to enthusiasts of all experience levels, reflecting the association’s mission to encourage amateur astronomy and science education[^3^][^4^]. As a nonprofit, it relies on volunteer efforts and community support to maintain its observatory and outreach programs[^3^].

[^1^]: Weekly events and educational focus.
[^3^]: Nonprofit structure and membership details.
[^4^]: Telescope sessions and observational equipment.

[1] https://pmobservatory.org.au [2] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/57481eec-39af-e811-a963-000d3ad24077 [3] https://pm-observatory.tidyhq.com/public/pages/our-association [4] https://pm-observatory.tidyhq.com [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Australian_Convention_of_Amateur_Astronomers