The Astrophotography Section supports the imaging of astronomical objects using film, consumer digital cameras, cooled CCD cameras and webcams or similar. The objective of the section is to provide education, support and encouragement to those interested in this rewarding but potentially demanding pursuit.

An introductory article on astrophotography is provided below. For further information contact the Astrophotography Section Director. Also visit our Members' Gallery to view astrophotographs taken by AAQ members. There are many excellent websites on astrophotography on the internet. Some links to a selection of the external websites are provided below.

Welcome to the Double Star Section of the AAQ, dedicated to the enjoyment of observing double and multiple stars.  When you are ready to practice what you've read and see some beautiful and challenging sights, we'd invite you to take part in the AAQ Resolution Survey. By simply using a telescope, your eyes and some easy to learn techniques you can discover more about your equipment and the sky, and contribute to some useful astronomical research.

An occultation can be described as occurring when a body passes in front of and obscures a more distant body.

Lunar and asteroidal occultations are the main types under study by this section of the AAQ. The occulting bodies are the Moon and various asteroids, and the objects being occulted are background stars.

Sub-sections: 
   Occultation News
   Beeper Box Serial Interface

The Solar System Section was formed in 2003 to encourage members to observe our nearest neighbours. Telescopic viewing of the Sun, Moon and Planets is rewarding for the amount of detail that can be observed and the ever changing appearance of the bodies as they rotate and orbit around the Sun. An added benefit is that you do not need to travel to remote dark sky sites to observe these objects as they are bright enough to observe through suburban light pollution from the comfort of your own back yard. The AAQ has a Lunar Observing Programme for those wanting to know more about the Earth’s satellite and holds, weather permitting, Lunar and Planetary observing nights in Brisbane once a month between March and November.

It is not the intention of this web site to provide extensive scientific information on the solar system but rather to provide practical information on what can be seen through an amateur telescope and the observational activities that can be pursued by amateur astronomers. There are numerous other web sites on the internet that provide detailed information on the solar system bodies and our current scientific understanding of them. Links to a selection of the better external web sites are provided in the following subsections on specific solar system subject. Contact the Solar System Section Director for further information on the AAQ observing programmes and field nights.

The Variable Star Section was formed in June 1998 to educate and assist members to observe stars that change in brightness. Members are encouraged to submit their observations to international databases (AAVSO, RASNZ etc) where the data is used by professional astronomers to determine how stars behave and evolve over time. Variable star observing is one of the few fields where amateur astronomers can make a real contribution to the science of astronomy.

A few of the brighter variable stars that are visible in binoculars have been selected by the AAQ for regular monitoring and the development of our own database. The light curve for R Carinae, one of the AAQ selected stars, is shown below for the period January 2000 to December 2004. The light curve plots the change in brightness (visual magnitude) against time (Julian Date).

Light curve derived from AAQ members' observations for the variable star R Carinae for a four year period between January 2000 and December 204.

The Visual Observing Section of the AAQ aims to assist and encourage members in observing sky objects with the unaided eye, with binoculars or through a telescope. Various articles in this category provide lists of objects that have been reviewed and observed by members, and provide observing programmes for those members wanting to achieve more outcomes from their viewing.

In this section is the Visual Observing Programme of Bright Southern Deep Sky Objects which was introduced to AAQ members in June 2000. Members are encouraged to participate in this programme and to submit their observations and images of the listed objects at the AAQ meetings, in the Newsletter and on this website.

Updates from the Occultation activities at the AAQ