Club History

5 A H I S T O R Y
1960	U. Mass Astronomy Club Founded - Precursor to 5As
1984	5As Founded: Amherst Area Amateur Astronomers Association Mike Wenz - President Messier Marathon Program Started 5As on Internet Precursor
1985	Doug McGonagle - President
1987	Bernie Volz - President Public Observatory Observing Program Started Astronomy Day Program Started Public Program Attendance Exceeds 1,000
1990	Doug McGonagle - President Public Planetarium Show Program Started
1991	Public Solar Observing Program Started Public Program Attendance Exceeds 5,000
1992	Bob Douglas - President Constitution Adopted
1993	Tom Whitney - Elected President 5As Incorporated - Non-Profit, Public-Service Organization for the Advancement of Astronomy, Science, Education, & The Public Good Awards Program Started Public Amherst Fireworks Observing Program Started Public Astronomy Classes Started Public Outreach Program Started Public Service Program Started Astronomy Association Formed Non-Profit Status Obtained Club Offices Established Executive Committee Established Committees Established Field Trips Established Web Site (amastro.org) established
1994	Public Eclipse Observing Program Started Public Solstice Sunset Program Started
1995	Public Eclipse & Full Moon Rise Program Started Public Equinox Solar Transit & Sunset Program Started Public Solstice Transit & Sunset Program Started
1996	Public Mt. Pollux Sunset Observing Program Started
1997	Public Program Attendance Exceeds 10,000 Public First Nite Observing Program Started
1998	Domain Site Established - ( amastro2.org ) Winter Star Party Program Started
1999	Public Northampton Solar Observing Program Started Public Solstice Observing Program Started Public Program Attendance Record - 13, 775
2000	Public Williamsburg Solar Observing Program Started E-Group Started Club Scopes & Equipment Loan Program Started
2001	Public Williamsburg Solar Observing Program Ends Public Crescent Moon Observing Program Started Public Moon Day Program Started Public Equinox Observing Program Started
2002	Public Planet Observing Program Started Membership Peaks - 105
2003	This Week E-Mail Program Started Public Fall Foliage Program Started Fall Star Party Program Started
2004	Annual Picnic Program Started Summer Star Party Program Started Yahoo Group Started
2005	Yahoo Group Ended Public Planetarium Shows By Request Started Telescope Making Started AA Field Trips Program Started Mt. Greylock Outreach Observing Program Started 2nd Domain Site - ( amastro2.org )
2006	3rd Domain Site - (New Site www.amherstastronomy.org) Club News on Web Site
2007	Club Member Observing Program Recognized Skinner State Park Public Observing Program Started
2008	Club Blog on Web Site
2009	Executive Board Defined - 4 Officers & 5 Executive Committee