The Astronomy Centre (AC), founded 1982, originally as the Amateur Astronoy Centre for the furtherance of amateur astronomy and promote its interest in the general public in the NW of England. Built on the site of a former clay pipeworks the centre has a large selection of telescopes for use by members and visitors.
Bolton Astronomical Society (BoAS), founded (?), a local group of enthusiast who meet regularly (bi-monthly) at Ladybridge Community Centre (BL3 4RZ). A former astronomy group has meet in Bolton – associated with Bolton Field Naturalists society (1911).
Blackpool & District Astronomical Society (BlaDAS), founded 1986 who meet monthly at the Blackpool Cricket Club (FY3 9EQ).
Earby Astronomical Society (EarAS), founded (?). Members meet monthly (4th Fri.) at All Saints Church, Earby, Lancashire (BB18 6JL).
Euxton Astronomy (EA), founded (?). Members hold meetings at Euxton Memorial Club, Chorley (PR7 6JG).
Furness and South Lakeland Astronomical Society (FSLAS), founded by Eddie Dixon in 1973, originally as the Furness Astronomical Society. The members (25 – 2016) meet at Trinity Church, Barrow -in-Furness (LA14 5HT) with access to the society observatory at Newton-in-Furness.
Heaton Park Astronomy Group (HPAG), founded (?). Members meet at the Bwls Pavilion in Heaton Park, Prestwich, Manchester (M25 2GT).
Lancaster and Morecambe Astronomical Society (LMAS), founded in 1978 to provide a friendly forum for local amateur astronomers and people interested in astronomy. The members (50 – 2017) meet monthly (Sept.-June, first Wed.) at theChrurch of the Ascension meeting room, Torrisholme, Morecambe.
Liverpool Astronomical Society (LAS), founded Liverpool in 1881 to promote and further amateur astronomy. In 1893 the society acquired a 5-inch Cooke refracting telescope that used to be located in a observatory on the roof of the William Brown Library and Museum building in the Liverpool city centre. Today the Society has an Observatory – Leighton Observatory – at Pex Hill, Cronton, Merseyside, formerly known as Pex Hill Observatory and Visitors’ Centre (see History of Liverpool Astronomical Society-Booklet_1996_G_Gilligan).
Manchester Astronomical Society (ManAS), founded 1903, preceded by the NW Branch of the BAA, when the Godlee Observatory was established at the Manchester Municipal Institute of Technology. Members met weekly at the Godlee Observatory (M13 9PL) and monthly for lectures at the John Dalton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road [M1 5GE] (Kilburn 2004).
Preston and District Astronomical Society (PDAS), founded 1982 as an offshoot of the Preston Scientific Society to encourage astronomy, for both beginners and the more experienced. The members (30 – 2016) meet at St Andrew’s Parish Hall in Ashton-on-Ribble near Preston – formerly at the Jeremiah Horrocks Observatory, Moor Park, Preston.
Runcorn and Widnes Astronomy Group (RWAG), founded 2014. The group meet monthly (2nd Friday) at Sandymoor Hall, Otterburn Street, Runcorn (WA7 1XU).
Salford Astronomical Society (SalfAS), founded before 1971 (?) the group hold monthly lecture (University of Salford) and observatory meetings. The Salford observatory houses an 18-inch reflecting telescope, built by the members in 1971, which was first housed at Jodrell Bank, but is now located at Chaseley Fields, Salford (M6 7DZ).
Southport Astronomical Society (SouthpAs), founded 1927 from the Southport Scientific Society. The new group took possession of the Blaxendell Observatory with its 6-inch Cooke refracting telescope at Hesketh Park, a gift to the Scientific Society from Joseph Blaxendell (Jr). Regular meetings are held at both Hesketh Park and Scarisbrick bowling club.
West Didsbury Astronomical Society (WeDAS), founded 2001 (?), formed to bring people together who have an interest in Astronomy. Regular monthly meeting (2nd Mon.) are held at William Hulme’s Grammar School, Spring Bridge Road, Manchester, (M16 8PR).
Wythenshawe Park Stargazers Club (WPSC) founded 2012 (?) – inactive website, defunct? Meetings were held at Horticultural Centre, Wythenshawe Park, Wythenshawe Road, Manchester.
Survey of Astronomical History 