Memphis Astronomical Society AllSky Cameras
AstroFlats Member Only Dark Sky Site (North East of Memphis)
Memphis AllSky South East Memphis
General Meeting at Rhodes College
April 6, 2026
7:00pm CDT
Rhodes College
Robertson Hall • Room 110 •
Crowded Skies
How Mega-Constellations and Missile Tests Are Turning Orbit into a Junkyard — And How We’re Watching It All
Presenter: Dr. Nathan Toner Ph.D.
SME
Cloudstone Innovations, Inc.
Near-Earth space is an increasingly contested domain for commercial, scientific, and military use. Modern mega constellations like Starlink have vastly increased the number of objects orbiting near the Earth, and collisions have occurred. Add to that the reckless behavior of some nation states testing anti-satellite weaponry on objects whose debris fields won’t decay for decades or even centuries, and things are just getting more and more complicated up there. The field of space domain awareness (SDA) aims to detect, track, catalog, and characterize as many of the resident space objects (RSOs) orbiting the Earth as possible and identify possible collisions and other events before they happen so that they can be avoided. This talk will provide a brief overview of the state of the space around Earth today and then dive into how modern systems and even your own back-yard telescopes can be (and are) used to maintain an accurate picture of what’s going on over all our heads. You could even be paid to contribute!
See Calendar for more observing events
Important: we only send observing cancellation notices due to cloudy weather on day of event via email. Please subscribe to our list to stay informed (free of charge). Scroll down to 2nd form at the member info link.
Astrophotography Focus Meeting.
The Astro Focus meeting link is different than the general meeting link. See calendar for next meeting.
Monthly astro image above is by M.A.S. member Brent Ellis.
Monthly Meetings
The Memphis Astronomical Society hosts monthly meetings that showcase captivating speakers from the field of astronomy. These gatherings provide an opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts of all levels to come together, learn from experts, and engage in discussions about the latest discoveries and celestial phenomena. The meetings foster a vibrant community where members can share their passion for the cosmos and deepen their understanding of the universe. Meetings are at Rhodes College and are live streamed on zoom. Some meetings are Zoom only. All meetings are open to the general public.
Observing
Astronomy observing events offer enthusiasts and professionals a unique opportunity to witness celestial wonders, from meteor showers and eclipses to the mesmerizing dance of planets across the night sky. These events foster a deeper connection with the cosmos and inspire awe and curiosity about the vastness of our universe.
Mentoring
Under the guidance of a mentor, learn to skillfully operate your telescope, hone your ability to navigate the heavens and identify various celestial objects. As the mentor shares their expertise and enthusiasm, the learner gains not only technical proficiency but also a deeper appreciation for the beauty and complexity of the cosmos.
MAS.fits Astrophotography
Whether you’re a seasoned astrophotographer or a beginner eager to capture the beauty of the night sky, our society provides a supportive environment to improve your astrophotography skills. Share your images, learn from experts, and receive constructive feedback to create stunning celestial photographs. Within the M.A.S. astrophotography sub-group, they humorously refer to themselves as the “misfits” (or should we say, the MAS.fits). It’s a playful nod to the “.fit” file format used in processing photos for their astronomical adventures.
Star Parties
Astronomy star parties offer an enchanting experience for stargazers, as they gather under the night sky to observe celestial wonders with telescopes and naked eyes. These events promote a sense of wonder and camaraderie, fostering a deeper appreciation for the cosmos and its myriad of beautiful stars, planets and deep-sky objects.
Member Benefits
For just $25 per year, you can support the volunteer non-profit Memphis Astronomical Society in its community outreach, telescope mentoring, talks, and observing events. Additionally, as a member, you gain exclusive access to benefits such as the MeteorWrite publication, a dedicated dark sky site, and a complimentary annual subscription to the astronomy weather forecast app Astropheric (normally priced at $39 per year). These valuable perks make the membership dues a truly worthwhile investment.
Request our Services for an Event
We provide speakers to meet with your group. Or we can set up a telescope observing session free of charge.
Get Involved
The Memphis Astronomical Society is a non-profit, public service organization promoting interest and education in astronomy and related sciences. We are looking for volunteers to help with events. Use this link to see if there is any activity you would like to do.
Donate
Donating to the Memphis Astronomical Society is a compelling way to support its activities and promote science education in our community. By contributing, you are fueling our efforts to inspire curiosity and fascination about the universe among people of all ages. Your donation will help fund engaging outreach programs, interactive workshops, and captivating stargazing events, creating opportunities for individuals to explore the depths of space and understand their place in the cosmos. Your support will have a lasting impact byenriching the minds of future generations. Please consider helping the Memphis Astronomical Society to continue its vital mission of enlightening minds and expanding our horizons beyond the stars.
Star Charts
We know you can use an app to point at any star in the sky. But sometimes its fun to turn off technology and unplug for a while. This way you can go on a celestial treasure hunt and use the map to find constellations and deep sky objects that are visible to the naked eye. We recommend you use these maps at dark sky sites such as Burton’s Sugar Farm. With light pollution present in the city, you will not find 90% objects on this map. These maps were designed by the Memphis Astronomical Society for use at our 35°N Memphis latitude.
M.A.S. Publication
Check out former M.A.S. president Dr. Bill Busler’s Messier booklets. He donates the proceeds to the Memphis Astronomical Society. Use this link for more information.
Messier Marathon
Join our quest to see all 110 Messier objects in the night sky in one night. Warning, this is an “all nighter”. Use this link for more information.
If you want Memphis Astronomical Society gear use our online store at CafePress. This is not a fund-raiser, but a convenience for you if you want to wear our gear at astronomy events.
