About the Minnesota Astronomical Society

600+ members strong and growing, the MAS has been helping amateur astronomers in Minnesota explore the cosmos and learn about the universe since 1972.
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A Humble Beginning

In 1972, Minneapolis-based E&W Optical Company was a haven for Twin Cities amateur astronomers seeking advice, optics for their projects or for commercially produced telescopes, and accessories.

That year, then-president of the 3M Club Astronomical Society, Jim Fox, placed a poster at E&W suggesting that the creation of an amateur astronomy cloud may be a good idea. A dozen potential members attended an organizing meeting in November of 1972 at the Science Museum of Minnesota. The Twin City Astronomy Club was born.

From this humble beginning grew the Minnesota Astronomical Society. Today, more than 50 years later, the MAS is one of the largest and most active amateur astronomy organizations in the United States.

The MAS will always be an accepting place for all members of the community. We appreciate diversity in our community and welcome everyone.

The Society’s Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation

The Minnesota Astronomical Society members, through a quorum vote,  approved the below Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation on June 2, 2022.  Complete PDF documents are available in the sections below.

Bylaws of The Minnesota Astronomical Society

Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of a future federal tax code.

This corporation shall not be operated for profit, but rather shall be operated exclusively for charitable purposes. The specific purpose of Corporation is educational and charitable:

1-Educational:

To instruct the public about astronomy through observational and informational platforms, lectures, forums, discussion groups, classes, publications, and other celestial observation events.

2-Charitable:

To advance education by establishing and maintaining observational and informational facilities for the benefit of the community, seeking to enhance community knowledge about and involvement in astronomy, and promoting camaraderie through mutual interest in astronomy.

Complete Current Bylaws of the Minnesota Astronomical Society (PDF)

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of The Minnesota Astronomical Society

Article I – Name of Organization

The name of the nonprofit corporation shall be Minnesota Astronomical Society (hereinafter “Corporation”).

Article II – Registered Office Address and Mailing Address

Corporation’s registered office address shall be:
Minnesota Astronomical Society
5353 Gamble Dr., Suite 320
St. Louis Park, MN 55416

Corporation’s registered mailing address shall be:
Minnesota Astronomical Society
P.O. Box 14391
Minneapolis, MN 55414

Article III – Purpose

Corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of a future federal tax code. This corporation shall not be operated for profit, but rather shall be operated exclusively for charitable purposes. The specific purpose of Corporation is educational and charitable:

1-Educational: To instruct the public about astronomy through observational and informational platforms, lectures, forums, discussion groups, classes, publications, and other celestial observation events.

2-Charitable: To advance education by establishing and maintaining observational and informational facilities for the benefit of the community, seeking to enhance community knowledge about and involvement in astronomy, and promoting camaraderie through mutual interest in astronomy.

Complete current Articles of Incorporation of the Minnesota Astronomical Society (PDF)

Guidelines for Forming and Governing Standing Committees of the Minnesota Astronomical Society

Standing committees (“Committees”) may be created within the MAS for various purposes. The Board uses the following rules in establishing and administering MAS Standing Committees.

View the full PDF: Guidelines for Forming and Governing Standing Committees – 6/4/2023

Member Using Onan LX200 Telescope

Our Purpose

The Minnesota Astronomical Society is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, or scientific purposes as specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of a future federal tax code. This corporation shall not be operated for profit, but rather shall be operated exclusively for charitable purposes. The specific purpose of Corporation is educational and charitable:

1-Educational: To instruct the public about astronomy through observational and informational platforms, lectures, forums, discussion groups, classes, publications, and other celestial observation events.

2-Charitable: To advance education by establishing and maintaining observational and informational facilities for the benefit of the community, seeking to enhance community knowledge about and involvement in astronomy, and promoting camaraderie through mutual interest in astronomy.

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