If you are looking to engage with other astronomers, gain access to exclusive membership benefits, and support our mission and initiatives, then you belong in our community!
Already a member? Renew.
Types of Memberships
To purchase a membership, you’re required to register for a free user account, allowing you to submit and download data, and use the forums. The following levels of paid memberships may be purchased online (see the Special Memberships section for other options).
Annual Membership
$105/yr
AAVSOnet observing time
Access to Mentror Program
VPhot Photometry Software
CHOICE Course Discounts
No JAAVSO Page Charges
Supporting Membership
$180/yr
AAVSOnet observing time
Access to Mentror Program
VPhot Photometry Software
CHOICE Course Discounts
No JAAVSO Page Charges
$75 Tax-Deductible Gift
Sustaining Membership
$500/yr
AAVSOnet observing time
Access to Mentror Program
VPhot Photometry Software
CHOICE Course Discounts
No JAAVSO Page Charges
$395 Tax-Deductible Gift
Unlimited CHOICE Courses
Join Our Stellar Community
Today, over 1,400 members worldwide are dedicated to variable star research— we invite you to join us today!
AAVSO members get exclusive access to specialized observing resources and discounts on certain programs and events. Our international community provides support and access to resources that provide data and results used by professional astronomers and observatories.
Membership Benefits
AAVSO programs and services exclusive to AAVSO members:
- AAVSO’s remote Robotic Telescope Network, AAVSOnet, for your research and observing
- Discount on online CHOICE courses and CCD School Streaming Videos
- AAVSO’s online photometric analysis tool, VPhot, accompanying Users Guide, and VPhot CHOICE courses
- Mentor Program (1:1 assistance with your observing)
- Reduced registration rates for AAVSO Annual Meetings and Workshops
- Access to archival photometry from AAVSOnet and the APASS Epoch Photometry data (over a billion records) through the VStar plugin
- Waiver of page charges for publication in the Journal of the AAVSO (currently $100/page for non-members)
- Eligibility to vote in board elections and/or serve as an AAVSO Officer or Board Member.
New members of the AAVSO also receive:
- Welcome letter
- Online New Member Kit, which includes
- Publications, such as a copy of the AAVSO By-Laws, a Journal of the AAVSO, and Annual Report
- Links to resources and engagement opportunities AAVSO offers
- A user guide to the AAVSO’s Variable Star Plotter (VSP), our online chart-making utility
- Reference documents—perfect if you are beginning science with AAVSO
Member Testimonials
AAVSO is a wonderful organisation that has enriched my life for 15 years. Thank you all!
I think that giving citizens the opportunity to participate in scientific activities is a unique opportunity for cultural growth for us.
AAVSO is a really fine organization. You do a good job of making people at all levels of expertise welcome. I promote AAVSO among my astronomy friends. I am grateful for my membership and the opportunity to contribute to the science of variable stars.
Keep up the great work! I see this as both my personal pleasure but also the connections and learning for others across time, national boundaries and politics, and “technovation.
Special Memberships
Developing Countries Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . $25/year
- The same benefits as standard membership
- Must live in a qualifying country
- Click here to reach out to AAVSO to purchase
Associate Membership for Educators/Students . . . $55/year
- The same benefits as standard membership
- Click here to reach out to AAVSO to purchase
To learn more about the Argelander Giving Society’s Membership, please click here.
Developing Countries Membership
If you reside in any country other than Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korean Republic, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom or the United States, your annual dues will be $25.00.