The Astronomical Society of Australia (ASA) was formed in 1966 as the organisation of professional astronomers in Australia. Membership of the ASA is open to anyone contributing to the advancement of Australian astronomy or a closely related field.
The Square Kilometre Array, or SKA, is a global next-generation radio telescope project involving institutions from over 20 countries. The SKA will be the largest and most capable radio telescope ever constructed. During its 50+ year lifetime, it will expand our understanding of the universe and drive technological development worldwide. Australia and southern Africa will each host different SKA components.
CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, operates a number of world-class radio astronomy observatories that are collectively known as the Australia Telescope National Facility or ATNF. The facility offers a powerful view of the southern hemisphere radio spectrum and supports world-leading research by Australian and international astronomers.
NASA's Deep Space Network - DSN - is an international network of antennas that supports interplanetary spacecraft missions and radio and radar astronomy observations for the exploration of the Solar System and the universe. The Network also supports some selected Earth-orbiting science missions. The DSN consists of three deep-space communications facilities placed approximately 120 degrees apart around the world: near Canberra, Australia; Goldstone, in California's Mojave Desert; and near Madrid, Spain.
The Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum (APRSAF) was established in 1993 to enhance space activities in the Asia-Pacific region. Space agencies, governmental bodies, international organizations, private companies, universities, and research institutes from over 40 countries and regions take part in APRSAF, the largest space-related conference in the Asia-Pacific region.
As a non-profit membership organization, international in scope, the ASP’s mission is to increase the understanding and appreciation of astronomy — through the engagement of our many constituencies — to advance science and science literacy.
The Canadian Astronomy Data Centre (CADC), established in 1986, is one of three world-wide distribution centres for astronomical data obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The CADC specialises in data mining, data processing, data distribution and data transferring of very large astronomical datasets.
The European Space Agency is dedicated to the peaceful exploration and use of space for the benefit of humankind. Established in 1975, 22 member states work together to push the frontiers of science and technology, and promote economic growth in Europe.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) was founded in 1919. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy in all its aspects through international cooperation. Its individual members — structured into Divisions, Commissions, and Working Groups — are professional astronomers from all over the world, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, who are active in professional research and education in astronomy. The IAU has 12625 members.
Over the last 57 years NASA has continued to push the boundaries with cutting edge aeronautics research that has dramatically changed the way we build and fly airplanes. NASA has also completed the reconnaissance of our solar system, with intense investigation of many of the planets. Using orbital spacecraft like the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA has also dramatically changed our understanding of the universe around us, as well as our own planet.