The Dundee Astronomical Society was formed in 1956 and is affiliated to both the British Astronomical Association BAA (to whom we send observations) and to the Scottish Astronomers Group SAG. In addition the Society has a number of honorary members throughout the country.

The Society possesses a number of telescopes which members may arrange to borrow .The Society also has a library available for members at the Mills Observatory. By coming along to meetings people have the opportunity to meet others interested in astronomy as well as enjoy the varied lecture syllabus. The list of speakers includes professional and amateur astronomers.

Weather permitting some members occasionally meet for informal observing at a dark site outside Dundee. Any member is welcome to join in these activities.

Before retirement, by profession, Sandy was a local general practitioner at the Garland Place Surgery but to members of Dundee Astronomical Society he was, for many years, an astrophotographer and practical astronomer with the gift of conveying his huge enthusiasm to everyone who listened to his many presentations.

From a young age Sandy had been interested in astronomy and, like so many amateur astronomers of that age, constructed telescopes from bits and pieces. His very practical nature and the precision with which he developed everything he did made the then difficult skill of astrophotography a perfect challenge for him. On acquiring a Celestron 8 telescope, he set about taking a series of photographs which were outstanding, especially considering his light polluted observing site. Many of these photographs were enlarged and gifted to Mills Observatory where they still grace the stairway. One of the images of which he was most proud was that of Quasar 3C 273. This was the most distant object he had ever photographed at 2,000 million light years.

Sandy joined Dundee Astronomical Society in 1985 and became Director of Observations in 1992. Sandy’s spirited monthly sky notes will be remembered by all who heard them and no-one can possibly forget his final words every month when he urged members to ‘Go, make discovery of the Universe!’. He held that post until the 2003/04 season when he stood down but retained committee membership until the AGM of 2007. Sandy gave many presentations relating to his astrophotograhic methods to the DAS and at combined meetings with the Stirling Society. He also spoke at meetings of the Scottish Astronomers Group. In recognition of his long service to the Dundee Astronomical Society in his various roles, he was awarded Honorary Membership in 2006.

Sandy’s humour at meetings and his enthusiasm and willingness to help all those struggling with any aspect of equipment or photography will be sadly missed.

Robert McNaught was a member of Dundee Astronomical Society in the 1970s and 1980s and spent much of his spare time at Mills Observatory until he graduated with an Astronomy degree from St Andrews University. He went on to become a professional astronomer and has been at Siding Spring Observatory, Australia, for some years. His work involves photography of the sky to identify asteroids which have orbits which cross that of Earth. In early 2007, an asteroid (No.6906) discovered by Rob was named by him in honour of John Mills.

Rob discovered Comet 2006 P1, known as Comet McNaught after its discoverer, in August 2006. It was seen in the UK for a few days in early January 2007 and Ken Kennedy photographed it on the 9th and 10th January from Broughty Ferry. By the time it passed into the southern hemisphere it had brightened considerably and is now believed to have been one of the brightest comets ever seen.

Robert McNaught has always been proud of his association with Mills Observatory and sent the print in order to acknowledge the encouragement he received there

The print which he has presented to the Observatory is signed and has the addition of: To the folks at the Mills Observatory who inspired me from an early age.