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I’ve registered on the website / have joined your Facebook page, group or other social media presence – does that mean I am a Member of the LAS?
No. Membership of the Society is entirely separate from our online presence.
How do I become a Member of the LAS?
You will need to:
- Fill out a membership application form (available at Weekly Meetings & Monthly Meetings, as well as at most outreach events. Electronic forms are in the pipe-line.)
- Bring the form with you to one of our in-person Monthly Meetings which run between the months of September-May (as of writing, at the Quaker Meeting House, Liverpool)
- Your annual subscription fee (see below) must be paid either electronically via a standard bank transfer, or if in-person then to the Society Treasurer or one of their delegates.
- At the meeting your membership request is put to a vote of the Members present, and if all goes well your membership will be accepted. If for some reason your application is rejected and you have already paid for the year, your money will be refunded.
It all sounds very formal, but don’t be nervous – each of our members have done it and it’s over in a minute. It’s extremely rare that new people are not welcomed into the Society.
Can I become a Member without being physically present? (e.g. via e-mail, phone, post, Skype, Zoom, etc.)
Currently, Membership of the Society can only be completed in person at a Monthly Meeting. Exceptions may be made in exceptional cases – get in touch via our Membership Enquiries form to enquire.
What are the benefits of becoming a Member of the LAS?
Although the public are welcome at many of our events, and we encourage them to visit, Members of the Society have access to an additional wealth of resources such as:
- Regular talks, lectures and presentations on a range of subjects by fellow amateurs in the LAS and other astronomical societies, as well as from professional scientists such as Dr. Allan Chapman of Oxford University, Dr. Steve Barrett of the University of Liverpool, Dr. Kevin Bowman of the University of Lancashire and many more
- Access to our library of astronomical reference material including books, magazines, electronic media and more. see note 1
- Loan equipment see note 2
- Use of the Leighton Observatory and telescope see note 2
note 1: use of these facilities must be approved and booked in advance via the Librarian.
note 2: use of these facilities must be approved and booked in advance via the Observatory Director.
Do I have to be 18 to become a Member?
No – for those aged between 14 and 17 we offer a Junior Membership at a reduced price.
Junior Members have all the same rights and access to facilities and equipment as adults except that they cannot vote on certain formal matters.
Under-14s cannot become Members, however for those aged 7-17, we run a monthly Young Astronomers’ Club from late-autumn through to early-spring.
How much does it cost to become a Member? How do I pay?
If you have not yet become a Member of the Society and wish to join, please see our Membership of the Liverpool Astronomical Society page before sending any payment.
Note: Membership Fees are correct as of October 2025
| Membership Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adults (18 & above) Annual Subscription | £25.00 |
| Juniors (14-17 inclusive) Annual Subscription | £5.00 |
Please note:
Subscriptions are due from 1st October each year and must be paid by January 31st or your membership may be suspended.
If not paid by 31st March your membership will cease.
Paying your Subscription Electronically (e.g. via e-banking)
You can now pay for your subscription via Internet banking.
| Name: | Liverpool Astronomical Society |
| Sort Code: | 60-19-24 |
| Account No.: | 28521250 |
| Payment Ref.: | Use your full name (or as much of it as possible, remove spaces if needed) as the reference, so that our Treasurer can connect your payment to the correct account in the books. |
Please contact the Treasurer if you require more information.
We also produce a monthly newsletter, the LAS News Circular, which is available electronically as a PDF. Previously this was printed on paper and charged at an additional £5 / year, however in 2014 we were very happy to be able to include the e-newsletter in the standard subscription at no additional cost to our members.
I have other questions
You may find that your question has already been answered elsewhere on our website (try the search box at the top of the page) or one of our social media channels.
If not, you can also contact us directly by clicking here.