FOUNDATION  

The idea to establish an Armenian Astronomical Society was born in early 1980s when it was known already that a number of Armenian astronomers were working out of Armenia and a need to keep contacts between them and for collaboration was obvious. Vahé Petrosian and Yervant Terzian were among the initiators of this idea. However, the real society was not created. Later on, in the middle of 1990s, Areg Mickaelian in Byurakan started to collect information on all Armenian astronomers all over the world to prepare the foundation of the society. A few years later, after discussions with many people, including the IAU officials, a meeting was held to discuss this initiative. The decision to found the Armenian Astronomical Society (ArAS) was made on June 22, 1999 in Byurakan at the meeting of 16 astronomers. An initiative group was elected to prepare suggestions on the ArAS activities, work out its bye-laws, membership form, etc. Areg Mickaelian, Haik Harutyunian, Elena Nikoghossian, Susanna Hakopian, and Tigran Magakian made up this group. Y.Terzian took an active part in this process: the main principles of the Society were discussed during the visit of A.Mickaelian to Cornell University in September 1999. However, the official registration of the Society came 2 years later. The Ministry of Justice of Armenia approved the Bye-laws and registered ArAS as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) on August 29, 2001 (registration document No. 03A 051334).

On September 13, 2001 at the European Astronomical Society (EAS) Council Meeting, ArAS was officially recognized by the EAS, becoming one of its at that time 21 Affiliated Society Members. Thus we also have international recognition. At present (15.01.2009) we have 66 members in the Society; we project that the membership will increase to some 100 members.