Concerned about astronomy? The Hungarian Astronomical Society welcomes you. It invites everyone interested in astronomy to join its ranks. The Hungarian Astronomical Society is known as HAA.
The HAA supplies publications. It organizes astronomical meetings. The HAA supports research activity. It provides guidance and advice. The HAA helps all its members. It also helps non-member professionals and enthusiasts. The primary aim of the HAA is to publicize astronomy everywhere. It helps improve observational skills. The society also helps improve telescope building skills. The HAA improves astronomy education in schools and universities. Finally, it provides opportunities for people of similar interests to meet. HAA members organize research with professional institutions.
Members receive the monthly journal Meteor. They also get an astronomical almanac. The almanac contains ephemerides and data tables. It also has astronomical news. Professional astronomers write review articles. Members get discounts on HAA publications and activities.
Dr. György Kulin founded the association in 1946. His hard work influenced the HAA’s approach. The HAA always works with great enthusiasm, spirit and openness.
The organization worked independently until 1949. The communist regime then pronounced it illegitimate. Consequently, it ceased to exist.
In 1988, a new law regulated associations. This gave grounds to new organizations. This induced the idea of re-founding the old association. The MCSE supports amateur astronomers. It also supports educators and professionals.
On February 19, 1989, about 120 people gathered. They formed the new MCSE. This was an important milestone in Hungarian astronomy. Many members of the first MCSE were present. Dr. György Kulin was also there.
Telescope demonstrations started in 1993. Thousands of enthusiasts participated. These demonstrations were adopted by other organizations. This brought stars closer to the public. The HAA established relationships with partner organizations. It also connects with astro-groups outside Hungary. These connections are fruitful in observing variable stars, meteors and comets.
To support people interested in astronomy, the HAA has specialized groups. Information and observations are divided into interest groups. They are published in the Meteor magazine.
The Hungarian Astronomical Society has local organizations in many cities. Members receive support. Non-members can subscribe or receive advice.
Local activities connect people with similar interests. They share experience and knowledge. They organize local programs and observations.
The Hungarian Astronomical Society organizes summer camps. These camps are at locations with dark skies. They provide a great opportunity to learn practical astronomy. Youth camps are for high school students. The yearly meeting is for amateur astronomers.
The association’s headquarters is in Polaris Observatory in Budapest. The HAA organizes night observations three times a week. These are on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. They run from dusk till 10pm. School groups are welcome at other times by prior agreement.
Regular presentations are held each Tuesday at 6pm. In parallel with the evening demonstration on Tuesday, there is the Budapest evening club meeting. The section for youth operates on Thursdays from 6pm during school term.
The monthly magazine Meteor brings news to the audience. The Meteor Astronomical Almanac is also important. They are posted to MCSE members free of charge.
Members of the Hungarian Astronomical Society maintain research activity. They cooperate with other institutions. The most important is the HATNet project. This searches for exoplanets. The HAA also does minor planet and comet observations. These are in cooperation with Szeged Observatory and Konkoly Observatory.
The HAA coordinates the Hungarian section in the EAAE. It maintains courses on planetary geology and astrobiology at Eotvos University. The HAA organizes student contests and publishes educational materials. It coordinates work against light pollution in Hungary.
The functioning of the Hungarian Astronomical Society is done by voluntary help. Members work in their spare time without financial reward. The HAA’s site is a visited source of astronomical information in Hungary.