MAS holds monthly meetings at Space Place (2300 S. Park St, Madison). Along with the regular observing opportunities afforded by the group, these monthly meetings are probably the heart of the MAS experience for most people.

Our meetings should provide three core experiences for our members and visitors:

1. Essential opportunities to meet old and new friends, socialize, and converse about an area of interest we all share.
2. Opportunities for anyone to ask questions and seek the advice of more experienced/knowledgable members, and,
3. MAS meetings are explicitly designed to expand our knowledge base and challenge us to learn new things about the hobby and the science that lies at the core of it.

All three of these areas are of equal importance. We select our monthly speakers because we think the talks are engaging and of wide interest. But we also begin each monthly meeting with an explicit “newcomers” roundtable designed to appeal to first- or second-time visitors who have basic questions or a desire to simply listen and determine if the group is right for them. We hope newcomers will feel welcomed and comfortable, and that they will find the meetings inviting in a way that draws them in.

Members tend to be a social bunch and the unstructured segments of our meetings can be noisy and boisterous. We hope you are greeted by someone soon after arriving or that you feel comfortable approaching someone to introduce yourself!

Whatever your reason for visiting, we’re glad you’re here!