September is the start of our new season. SAS Memberships will be due from 1st September 2026 (payable throughout September) for this season 2026/2027
Joining/Renewing helps support your local astronomical society & community.
So come on down to the Cygnus Observatory (based at the Washington Wetlands Centre) to join or renew your SAS membership.
The SAS is the largest & probably one of most active astronomical society’s in the North East, for advice, information, observing the night sky, and get together at various meet-ups, events, visits and join in the ‘Craic’ on all things astronomical.
The SAS Membership season runs from the 1st September each year within September for membership renewals, and your membership also provides Public/Products Liability Insurance (PPLI) cover for members at our society events.
Please note: Your membership is invaluable and goes a long way to keep our society going. For e.g. Paying for the upkeep of your society for e.g. site rental costs and various required insurances.
So now is an ideal time to renew your membership.
Using the SAS membership forms that can be found on the membership webpage.
Membership fee payment Methods
Payment for SAS memberships can also be made by any the following methods:
- Cash;
- Cheque (paid to “Sunderland Astronomical Society”);
- Bank Transfer
- Using our SAS bank details (bank account no. & sort code) please put your name as reference) so we can identify who is membership payment for.
- For Bank payment details contact the SAS Treasurer.
Remember membership forms are still required to be completed (New & Renewal memberships) and handed in with the payment method to the either the Treasurer ,Secretary, Chair or on of our commitee members for processing.
Alternately, use our online membership system (which will be coming online in the near future). Keep an eye on the Membership and/or Society News webpages for more information.
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New/Renewing Members & Facebook Members
For New Members and/or Renewing Members, and/or any of our Facebook members who would like to become a full member of the society you can also email the chair with the following details:-
- Full name,
- Address,
- Mobile phone number,
- Type of membership. For family membership please give all names.
- Also confirm you have read and agree with the society rules.
Annual Membership Costs are:
- Single Membership (Adult) £20;
- Family Membership ( 2 Adults, 3 Children) £30;
- Concession Membership (Unemployed/Student/Junior/Senior) £15.
- Concessionary fees apply to Senior (>65, Unemployed, Students, Junior (<18 must be accompanied by a guardian).
If you join SAS throughout the Season there is also a Membership Fee Scale( which is also outlined on our SAS membership form)
Useful links on the website:
Membership Benefits
- Membership also enables you to join our SAS email alert serives and be kept up to date/informed when the SAS needs to:
- Issue Membership information and notices.
- Provide information on observing events are taking place at our observatory.
- Provide information on Observing events at our dark sky sites.
- Provide information on other various astronomical events & visits that SAS are involved throughout the season.
- SAS Membership ID Cards are issued to for all new & current society members annually, with a membership card holder and lanyard (if required).
- All members are encouraged to use/display their membership ID cards at all our SAS meet-ups, visits and events at the Wetlands centre and outside.
- Access to SAS equipment.
- Access/use of Cygnus Observatory.
- Society membership includes membership to the Federation Astronomical Societies (FAS), (FAS Newsletter (3 per year) issued at SAS meetings), as well as other benefits.
- Your membership also provides Public/Products Liability Insurance (PPLI) cover for members at our society events.
You are also helping to support the society with other costs(rent for observatory, access to main building, support materials, and in supporting the local community).
Annual Membership Fees
We have had to slightly improve our prices (but now open all year) to
Annual Membership Costs are:
- Single Membership (Adult) £20;
- Family Membership ( 2 Adults, 3 Children) £30;
- Concession Membership (Unemployed/Student/Junior/Senior) £15.
- Concessionary fees apply to Senior (>65, Unemployed, Students, Junior (<18 must be accompanied by a guardian).
Please Note: Without members subscriptions we would not survive as they make a big contribution to our biggest running costs of ground rent and insurances.
Remember, you do not have to own a telescope to become a member or attend any of our events!
Membership Fees – Throughout Season
New members can pay part-year membership fees throughout the season, as new members join at different times throughout the year we have set up part-year membership fees (as in the table below).
Renewing members should pay full (100%) membership fees in September:-)
If you join SAS throughout the Season there is also a Membership Fee Scale( which is also outlined on our SAS membership form)
Membership Form – New Member or Renewing Member
To join SAS please select & download the PDF membership form (image or link):
So if you are interested in joining Sunderland Astronomical Society, don’t be shy, go for it and please download and fill in the appropriate form above.
Who Should I Pass my Membership form to ?
- Complete our membership application form and hand it to a committee member at one of our regular monthly meetings or open nights.
- If you cannot get down on of our monthly meetings you can email you SAS membership form to SAS Chair.
- Alternatively, send it to Sunderland Astronomical Society at the following address:
Mr. Chris Duffy, Chair
Sunderland Astronomical Society
c/o Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust
Pattinson
Washington
Tyne & Wear, NE38 8LE
What Happens Next
New Member
- Once your membership application form and fees have been received by our Treasurer, you application form will be passed to our Secretary for processing.
- Once processed you will then be sent a Welcome email with relevant society information & documentation.
- Your SAS membership ID card will then be produced and will be ready to be picked up in our “Membership ID Card box” in our SAS Office/Dugout (usually between 1 – 2 weeks from Membership processing).
- All commitee members should know where these are, just ask when your next at one of our meetups.
Renewing Member
Renewing members should follow procedure items 1 above.
