IFAS Committee

Basically, we need to ask one simple question:

"What is IFAS?"

Technically, it is sort of a support oranisation for astronomy clubs. However, in this role, it's powers are limited. From many discussions I've had with a few people here, some people would like it to take a more active role. However, at what point is it just a support organisation or does it become a club in itself? I don't know the answers to these questions.

What do peope here think??

Good question Michael.

The stated aim of IFAS is:

"The aim of the Federation shall be to promote the interests and development of amateur astronomical societies in Ireland"

Its a broad statement and perhaps IFAS, and the affiliated clubs, have now matured to the point that this aim needs to be reviewed.

For example, the original question I asked in this thread was to make sure that I went through the correct procedure(s) in order to explore the idea of a co-ordinated Irish Supernova search programme. IFAS seems to be right place to go to launch this idea and get discussions going amongs all the affiliated clubs/societies.

As for IFAS becoming a club, I don't think so. And I don't know exactly what 'powers' IFAS has, as regards its aim, if any. And perhaps that is a moot point anyway. Each affiliated club will have its own mix of astronomers, possibly its own publication, web site, joining fee, annual events etc. And they will have their own particular 'direction' - and that's a good thing. Perhaps what needs to be done is for the co-ordinating role of IFAS to be fleshed out and for IFAS to be defined in more detail. I'm sure this will be helpful to affiliated clubs.

As a member of such a club I'm really not too sure what IFAS is offering/can offer us other than this web site and society insurance. And that's not a negative critisism by the way. I'm just not sure what's on offer.

As I said at the start, maybe the amateur scene here in Ireland has advanced to a point where the role of IFAS needs to be looked at and possibly re-defined.

That's what I think and it's precisely what its worth - about 2 cent

Cheers

Dave McD

While I am sure the main persons involved on the current committee do regularly look at these boards, I don't think it is fair for us to start passing random ideas back and forth publicly here. If Shane, as PRO, is willing to take suggestions on board, then perhaps he will state how he is willing to accept suggestions here? (PM's, e-mails etc).

A committee meeting is where these kinds of ideas need to be mooted out, talked at length, and agreement drawn upon in some form of a yay or nay vote and so on.

Having just said that, if IFAS is to become a more active 'club', then perhaps any people voted onto the committee should be able to meet together in person at least once between star parties? That would help keep a momentum going,which can be easily lost, and helps with continuity in its aims and goals. And its not hard to do - the Observing Certs team have done it a few times in a year, each having travelled from Tullamore, Dublin, Kildare and Galway (it can be a fun day out away from spouses etc etc, and not be some boring meeting somewhere! :lol: ).

Seanie.

I agree with you Dave regarding reviewing the function and operation of IFAS. However, before a new model is developed I feel it's important to look back on Irish astronomy, when it started and how it evolved through different eras. Its trials and tribulations, what can we IFAS learn that will make it a thriving organisation.

The Irish Astronomical Society IAS was the first astronomical society that started in 1937. It formed a constitution which embraced the development of centres throughout Ireland in Dublin, Cork, Clonmell, Limerick, Tralee, Galway,Londonderry, Belfast, Armagh to name a few.

The IAS Annual Council Meetings were held at specific centres, and representatives from each of the centres were on the Council. The publication ORBIT had reports from the centres, which were also published in the IRISH ASTRONOMICAL JOURNAL IAJ which started in 1950. The IAJ served as the medium for both the amateur and professional contributions.

By the 1970s the IAS was declining in membership, and in fact most of the centres became less active and then non existent, Belfast been the last by 1977.

The standard was a good average for a national society, many successful initiatives played a role over many years for irish astronomy. For example, there were practical mirror making workshops and instructions also published over 2 years in Orbit. Regular monthly Observers Group meetings which analysed different aspects like Variable Stars, Double Stars studies. Regular exhibitions at the RDS to promote Irish astronomy and membership. The Variable Star Observers Group started in 1975 and is still going to this day (30 year anniversary). In 1978 the IAS hosted a major congress of the International Union of Amateur Astronomers (an affiliate to the professional IAU). But these were just a few highlights over the years.

I am sharing this history as an inspiration of what was done, as time went on their were weaknesses that were difficult to address. The IAS has had its difficult moments during the late 1980s. The 1990s evolved a completely new astronomy approach in Ireland which came about through Astronomy Ireland. This was the first time that astronomy had commercialisation built in to its raison d'etre in order to develop future projects that would appeal to the general public, in fact it has been very successful in marketing astronomy particularly to the public.

May be their are lessons to be learnt from this history, where the strengths could be taken on board for a more flexible IFAS in it's constitution. It would mean that the modified constitution would embrace effective PR,
initiate observing programmes where the results can make a contribution to science. For example both the British and French Astronomical Associations have publications that are recognised internationally through abstracts. The defunct Irish Astronomical Journal IAJ was operating from 1950 to 2001. It stopped because of a combination of things, one been the retirement and relocating of the editor. This has been a loss to the astronomy community as a medium for contributions both amateur and professional. The IAJ was subscribed to by every national observatory in the world. So the world astronomy community new what was happening in Ireland. There may be an opportunity, if considered, when the time is right in the development of IFAS to resurrect this type of medium again. I am aware their are other publications like Arcturus, Photon and Orbit and others. They all could be amalgamated with specific sections of astronomy addressed, rather like the British Astronomical Association's journal. However, I find it fascinating how irish astronomy has evolved since 1937. I will also be fascinated how the future will develop for Irish astronomy. We have alot of good active astronomers here that are ever eager to learn more and this alone can only raise the standard that we can all be proud of.

My 2 cents worth

Eamonn A

I have to say I'm a little confused as to what IFAS is suposed to be doing. However, what I do know is this:

1) IFAS is NOT a club
2) IFAS CANNOT dictate ANYTHING to it's member clubs.

Both of these things are core to IFAS and IMO should remain.

However, that does not proclude IFAS taking a lead role in things and offering the member clubs OPTIONS. I think the perfect examples of that are this board and the observing challenges, they are resources that are available to all IF CLUBS WANT TO USE THEM.

IMO that is the way IFAS should be and things like the Observing Certs should serve as an example to the kind of thing IFAS should do in the future. IMO this means that to improve IFAS we need ot ask the guys who did the Observing Challenges in what ways IFAS could be changed so that they would have had an easier time with their project, and in what ways IFAS proceedures need ot be layed out to encourage more of this kind of thing. There is a lot of enthusiasm out there but it is not getting very eficiently translated into services for our member clubs IMO.

After submitting this earlier contribution, I hadn't realised that this was for committee members. So apologes for my intrusion.

Eamonn A