Welcome to the BAA Lunar Section website. The Lunar Section has been in existence since 1890, making it as old as the British Astronomical Association itself. The Lunar Section’s roots actually go back further in time to the short-lived, but highly energetic Selenographical Society (1878-82), many of whose members were leading lights in lunar research during the late Victorian and Edwardian era.

The BAA Lunar Section aims to increase our knowledge of the Moon through regular observation, but it also welcomes members whose interests are more theoretical. Careful observation, either visual or by means of imaging, familiarises the observer with the intricacies of the lunar landscape, enhancing the observer’s skills of perception and possibly bringing to light previously unknown albedo and topographic features. Short-lived events — coloured glows, flashes and obscurations known as transient lunar phenomena (TLP) — remain poorly understood, providing ample opportunity for specialised observing and imaging. Occultation studies form another branch of the section’s many activities.

The availability via the internet of high-resolution imagery and datasets from spacecraft offers the armchair amateur an opportunity to contribute to lunar science without braving the hardships involved in telescopic observation.

Membership of the BAA Lunar Section is open to all members of the British Astronomical Association. Observational material, written contributions and correspondence are however welcome from anyone with an interest in the Moon and its observation.

The Section publishes a regular monthly Circular, which is distributed free to members as a PDF e-mail attachment. Those wishing to join the Section should click here to contact the Director.

Click Here to return to the Lunar home page.