page_title: Astronomical Society of Victoria
section_title: Observing sessions
hierarchical_section_title: Astronomical Society of Victoria / Activities / Observing sessions
caption_attribution_description: English: Santa Claus doing some solar observing in Hydrogen-Alpha at the Astronomical Society of Victoria's 2004 Christmas Star-Be-Cue.
context_page_description: The Astronomical Society of Victoria is an amateur astronomy club in the state of Victoria, Australia. It was founded in 1922, making it one of the oldest such clubs in the country, and with some 1000 members it claims to be one of the largest amateur astronomy organisations in the southern hemisphere. Membership is open to all with an interest in astronomy, and the society caters for people with a wide range of ages, backgrounds, abilities and interests.
  The society has sections dedicated to providing support for members interested in specific aspects of astronomy, including astro-photography, comets, radio astronomy, solar observing, variable stars, and deep sky observing. It owns a suburban property which is used as the Lodge and Observatory / workshop, and it also runs the Leon Mow Dark Sky Site, located north of Melbourne. Its major project is the restoration of the Great Melbourne Telescope.
context_section_description: The society hosts several different types of observing sessions, aimed at different audiences, including:
  Regular observing is scheduled each month at both of the society's observing sites: the Leon Mow Dark Sky Site, located north of Melbourne, and at the ASV Lodge in suburban Melbourne.
  Society members conduct Astronomy for the People gatherings throughout the year, bringing their telescopes to Melbourne's parks and schools in order to give more people the opportunity to experience astronomy for themselves. This directly supports the society's first stated purpose, "to educate the public in the science of astronomy, disseminate astronomical knowledge, and encourage the observation of the Universe".
  The society hosts two major viewing events for the general public each year at the Leon Mow Dark Sky Site: the Messier Star Party (usually held in early March since 2000) focuses on the best galaxies, nebulae and clusters collated by 18th-century French astronomer Charles Messier, and the Star-Be-Cue in early December, which the society believes is the longest running star party of its kind in Australia. The Star-Be-Cue was described in The Age newspaper as the "opportunity to experience spectacular views of the night sky with the naked eye and at the eyepiece of some of the largest telescopes in Victoria."
  These are all-day events. During the days, there are astronomical talks, tours of the site, wine tasting, trivia, prizes and food provided by the Lions Club. Some observers whose equipment is suitable for solar viewing host viewing of the Sun. Once darkness falls, the focus is on observing the night sky and one of the most popular attractions at each of the star parties is a guided tour of the sky with a green laser pointer showing all the major stars, constellations, planets and positions of best deep sky objects. It is not unusual to have a crowd of 200–300 people sitting around the person with the laser pointer watching this "Sky for the Night" presentation.
  The Galactic Centre Star Party is a members-only event, held over a weekend each September.
  The VicSouth Desert Spring Star Party is an annual weekend of astronomy, jointly hosted by the Astronomical Society of Victoria and the Astronomical Society of South Australia.  It is held around October–November near the town of Nhill in western Victoria, Australia.
caption: A visitor enjoying the view at the Star-Be-Cue
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