Advancing amateur research programs

MANY AMATEUR ASTRONOMERS devote themselves to semi-professional astronomical research, and in some cases collaborate with professional astronomers in investigations of great importance. Often, standard backyard astronomical equipment is perfectly adequate for the job. But sometimes, higher-quality (and expensive) equipment is needed, or access to professional facilities might be required.

There are several funds available to help amateurs cover the costs of this work. One of them is the Edward Corbould Research Fund (ECRF) of the Astronomical Association of Queensland (AAQ).

History of the fund

The AAQ is a Brisbane-based organisation of amateur astronomers that has a long history of astronomical