2017: Did you know there is an asteroid named for our organization? From Wikipedia: "6117 Brevardastro, provisional designation 1985 CZ1, is a stony asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, approximately 5 kilometers in diameter. The asteroid was discovered on 12 February 1985, by Belgian astronomer Henri Debehogne at ESO's La Silla site in northern Chile. It was later named for the American Brevard Astronomical Society... According to the survey carried out by NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer with its subsequent NEOWISE mission, Brevardastro measures 5.199 kilometers in diameter". See the full Wikipdeia entry

2015: BAS has often partnered with NASA to support events at KSC, working with KSC Visitor Complex staff from Delaware North for coordination of event support. For example, we are the primary contact for star parties for Yuri's Night at KSC. BAS Members have also supported the 25th anniversary of Hubble and both the Shuttle Atlantis Rollout and Debut events. The article below published by the Astronomical League in 2016 summarizes an event at KSC in 2015. BAS Reflector Article by Ken Diller

2015: Fafnir and Orbitar In July 2014 the International Astronomical Union launched a process for giving proper names to certain exoplanets and their host stars. The process involved public nomination and voting for the new names. Historically, 42 Draconis is the star's Flamsteed designation. The exoplanet was designated 42 Draconis b. In December 2015, the AU announced the winning names for the star and exoplanet were Fafnir for this star and Orbitar for its planet. The winning names were submitted by the Brevard Astronomical Society of Brevard County, Florida, United States. Fafnir was a Norse mythological dwarf who turned into a dragon ('Draco' is Latin for'dragon"); Orbitar is a contrived word paying homage to the space launch and orbital operations of NASA. In 2016, the IAU officially recognized the names of exoplanets and their host stars' including the names of stars adopted during the 2015 NameExoWorlds campaign. This star is now so entered in the IAU Catalog of Star Names. See the full infographic at the link below. IAU infographic Or view the plaque IAU Plaque

2014: The current version of the logo for the Brevard Astronomical Society was designed in 2014 by collaboration among members and officers in the club at the time. There are several elements in this logo designed to align with who we are and what we do.

Since the Brevard Astronomical Society is located on the Space Coast, we decided to include an Astronaut on the Moon since this is where all of the Apollo launches to the Moon originated. It also indicates Space Exploration and Science is part of what we do in the Brevard Astronomical Society. The Saturn image is from NASA, the BAS orange capital letters are the color of the Sun, and the M20 nebula image was taken by John Small - one of the club's past presidents, and a very experienced Astrophotographer. The quote by Plato inspires our exploration of the heavens.

2000: In the early 2000s, BAS leaders, including Bill Manley decided to formally register the Brevard Astronomical Society corporation as a non-profit entity with both the State of Florida and the federal IRS. At that time, paper letters and faxes were used to submit the application material to the government agencies. The IRS approved of BAS as a 501(c)(7) organization known as a social club. This designation applies when member dues, fees, and other charges are used specifically for the non-commercial purposes that earned the club its exemption. These funds help maintain facilities and support club activities. However, the club must stay focused on its members to keep this tax benefit.

2005: Florida Today profile of long-time and still member Wycliffe Hoffler and his backyard observatory in Titusville. Includes background on BAS and then President Rick Cupoli.
Florida Today BAS profile page1
Florida Today BAS profile page2

1978: Past and current member Chuck Cole spearheaded a convention of the Southeast Region of the Astronomical League (SERAL). See details in the links. Convention Brochure Convention Agenda
DIY Contest Registration Form

1981: SKY SCANNER was the monthy (more or less) printed publication of BAS in the early years. The group was meeting at the Astronaut Memorial Hall on the Brevard Community College campus. The group produced events called Astrofair and Stellathon(s). This issue had articles on Voyager 1 at Saturn, asteroid observing and something called the International Meteor Research Network. Click on the link below to take a trip back in time to see what was on the minds of BAS members.
Sky Scanner Vol 11 No 2