About Us

Aldrich Astronomical Society (AAS), which was founded in 1932, is one of the oldest astronomy clubs in the United States. We are dedicated to promoting an understanding of the night sky. AAS has also been the recipient of numerous Awards.

NASA astronaut speaks with StarFest attendees

Our membership is very active. Here are some examples of what we do:

• Host sky viewing sessions (weather permitting) at both our meeting location in Paxton and our private Observatory location in Oakham.
• Invite lecturers from academia, amateur community, and society members
• Offer educational outreach to schools, libraries, and scouts (100+ events in 2016)
• Get together on a weekly basis for socializing and sharing knowledge
• Steward a statewide adopt-a-library telescope program (108 telescopes placed into libraries across Massachusetts since 2014)
• Amateur telescope making
• Astrophotography

Our club is a registered charity with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (MGL chapter 180) and the United States Internal Revenue Service (501(c)(3) IRS code).  We maintain our bylaws (see Aldrich Astronomical Society, Inc. ByLaws) and other filings with the Secretary of the Commonwealth and Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General. Donations are tax deductible.

Join the club

We’d love for you to join and become our newest member!