Astronomical Society of the Pacific

Bringing the heavens down to Earth for over a century.

The Astronomical Society of the Pacific was founded in 1889 by a group of Northern California professional and amateur astronomers after joining together to view a rare total solar eclipse. The ASP's earliest purpose was to disseminate astronomical information - a mission which has flourished with astronomers' inexhaustible exploration of the universe, working at the frontiers of science. The ASP has become the largest general astronomy society in the world, with members from over 70 nations, and a Board of Directors comprised of members of the astronomy, educational, and amateur communities. The Society offers programs and activities for each unique part of our membership. * Mercury magazine is published every other month in full color with easy-to-understand articles on science, observing, history, culture and education. * Publications of the ASP, established in 1889, is a leading journal where astronomers publish their latest research findings. * The ASP Conference Series consists of affordable volumes that feature proceedings of important astronomical meetings. * Our online AstroShop features an ever-changing collection of quality astronomical products.* Project ASTRO pairs amateur and professional astronomers with teachers in grades 4-9 to bring science into the classroom. * The Family ASTRO program brings a series of fun and educational astronomy activities to the communities where Project ASTRO operates in the schools. *Astronomy from the Ground Up is a National Science Foundation funded program* developed to provide informal science educators at small- to medium-sized nature centers, science centers/museums and natural history museums with new and innovative ways to communicate the excitement of modern astronomy to their visitors.