Membership in the African Astronomical Society is open to professional astronomers worldwide. An astronomer is a professional scientist, who does or did research on celestial bodies and/or the universe as a whole. Professional astronomers are involved in teaching and research in the fields of astronomy and astrophysics.

 

(ii) successfully completed a Master’s Degree in astronomy or a related field and has thereafter for at least two years been engaged in activities related to astronomy; or

(iii) successfully completed a Bachelors and/or Honours degree in astronomy or related field and has thereafter for at least five years been engaged in activities related to astronomy; or

(iv) have successfully presented proof of independent or co-authorship of accepted, refereed or published astronomy paper(s) to the membership committee of the African Astronomical Society.

 

Associate Membership is open to any professional who is actively involved in the advancement of astronomy and/or related activities. This category is open to amateur astronomers, knowledgeable individuals in activities of astronomical relevance, and other astronomy enthusiasts who do not fall under the categories above.

 

This category is open to university students of astronomy and related fields.

 

This category of membership may be bestowed upon individuals who have shown exemplary contribution to the field and/or The Society as judged by the Nominating Committee of The Society. Honorary membership may be bestowed upon an individual only upon two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee and a majority vote of the General Assembly.

 

This category is open to astronomical research institutes, such as observatories, and organisations which conduct astronomical activities as part of their primary goal, such as planetaria. It is also open to universities which teach astronomy or are significantly involved in astronomy in some way. Institutional Membership may be bestowed upon an institution only upon two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee and a majority vote of the General Assembly.

 

This category is open for African countries to be members through a national committee as supported by the government of that country. National Membership may be bestowed by the Society upon the establishment of that country’s national committee, and upon two-thirds vote of the Executive Committee and a majority vote of the General Assembly.

Membership fees and fee categories (e.g. individual or national membership) shall be determined by the General Assembly.

The Membership fees for the year October 2019 – September 2020 will be free of charge. AfAS will discuss and announce the annual membership fees and benefits  at the next General Assembly.

Privileges and Obligations of Membership

The Privileges and Obligations of Membership, such as voting rights, code of conduct, right of voting members to call for a referendum, etc. shall be incorporated into the constitution and bye-laws of the Society