British Astronomical Association

The British Astronomical Association, abbreviated BAA, is the national Federation of amateur astronomers in the UK.

The British Astronomical Association was founded in 1890 in London by amateur and professional astronomers to all interested in astronomy people, regardless of social status and gender in particular, to provide a base. From the beginning, women played a leading role, which could only join in 1915 the Royal Astronomical Society. Thus acted Annie S.D. Maunder (1868-1947), the wife of co-founder Edward Walter Maunder (1851-1928), for many years as editor of the Journal of the BAA. Objective is to support astronomical observations in areas that can not be covered by professional observatories. The BAA observing campaigns organized on special occasions such as solar and lunar eclipses or the Venus Transit.

Members receive the members' magazine Journal of the BAA 2- monthly, as an observation guide, an annual handbook ( with charts and astronomical events ) as well as access to meetings and the books and equipment collection of the association.

The Association is organized into different sections, who specialize in different aspects of astronomy. He is also sponsor and founder of the Campaign for Dark Skies, which opposes the increasing light pollution.