Become a Member of AFY!

AFY Membership dues:

	$30 a year for an individual.
	$50 a year for a family.

Joining an astronomy club is the very best way to get the most out of amateur astronomy. Astronomy clubs are packed with people who will freely share their knowledge and experiences. If you are new to astronomy, you should join a club (or two or three) and go to a few star parties BEFORE you buy your first telescope. Talk to people about their best and worst telescopes. Spend some time observing through different types of telescopes. Borrow the club's equipment to get some hands-on experience.

You don't have to spend thousands of dollars for a good telescope. But you can easily spend many hundreds on a bad telescope. The small investment in astronomy club dues will pay for itself the first time you go to buy a telescope and really know what you're looking for.

And let's not forget, "Location, location, location." It is common for individuals to belong to several astronomy clubs just to gain access to a variety of dark-sky locations. In today's times, it can be difficult to find a place where you can stand out in the dark without getting arrested for trespassing. This may be the single most important benefit of membership -- especially if you live in a large city.

When I got my first telescope as a gift from my family, I had no idea what I was going to do with it. A single visit to an astronomy club was all I needed to get me going. I arrived at that event knowing nothing about the night sky. I left with maps of the moon, knowledge of the Messier Objects list, and a great deal of satisfaction at having found such a friendly and knowledgeable group of people.

Membership Benefits:

	Use of a very dark sky location -- the Malabar Farm Horseman's Area.
	Use of club telescopes and other equipment.
	Membership in The Astronomical League.
	Access to other member's knowledge and experience.
	And, of course, the Summer BBQ and the Costume Halloween Party!