Turkish Astronomical Society

The Turkish Astronomical Society (Turkish: Türk Astronomi Derneği, TAD) is a professional association for astronomy, astrophysics and space sciences in Turkey. According to the Turkish Wikipedia entry, it is headquartered in Ankara and was founded on 18 May 1954 in Istanbul, with Nüzhet Gökdoğan elected as the first chair of its board of directors. The society's official website presents it as a membership-based organization with a mission and vision, a board of directors, a supervisory board, representatives, and various commissions, and it publishes its statutes, logo, membership and dues information, institutional members, and activity reports. The society's public activity centres on coordinating and promoting astronomical research and education in Turkey. Its website highlights member achievements, obituaries of prominent astronomers, and the naming of minor planets after Turkish astronomers by the International Astronomical Union's Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature. It also organizes the National Astronomy Congress (Ulusal Astronomi Kongresi), a recurring national meeting; the 24th edition (UAK2026) was announced for 24–28 August 2026 in Erzurum under the society's coordination. As a non-profit professional body rather than a commercial enterprise, TAD does not sell products in the conventional sense; its "offerings" are membership services, congress organization, representation of Turkish astronomy, and dissemination of astronomical knowledge. It maintains institutional members and communicates with members through its website, including announcements of general assemblies and elections. The society is active as of the evidence provided, with announcements dated into 2026.

The Turkish Astronomical Society (Türk Astronomi Derneği, TAD) was founded on 18 May 1954 in Istanbul, according to the Turkish Wikipedia entry. Its first board of directors was chaired by Nüzhet Gökdoğan, a pioneering Turkish astronomer and academic. The society later established its headquarters in Ankara, Turkey's capital, where it continues to be based. Over the decades, TAD has served as the principal national professional body for astronomers, astrophysicists and space scientists in Turkey. Its official website documents a structured organization with a board of directors, a supervisory board, representatives, and commissions, along with published statutes, membership and dues rules, institutional members, and annual activity reports. The society maintains an "Anı Defteri" (memorial book) for members and regularly publishes news about members' achievements and obituaries of notable figures in Turkish astronomy. A central recurring activity is the National Astronomy Congress (Ulusal Astronomi Kongresi, UAK), which the society coordinates. The 24th edition, UAK2026, was announced for 24–28 August 2026 in Erzurum. The society also engages with international bodies; its website reports that the International Astronomical Union's Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature named minor planet 20769 after TAD member Dr. Yücel Kılıç, and that member Prof. Dr. Kadri Yakut was elected an Overseas Fellow of Churchill College, Cambridge. In 2026 the society announced its ordinary general assembly, initially scheduled for 4 September 2026 and moved to 19 September 2026 after quorum was not met. The evidence indicates the society remains active in representing and promoting astronomy in Turkey.

• Founded in Istanbul; Nüzhet Gökdoğan elected first board chair.

• Announcement of the 24th National Astronomy Congress (UAK2026) in Erzurum.

• Member Dr. Yücel Kılıç honored with asteroid naming by IAU WGSBN.

• Member Prof. Dr. Kadri Yakut elected Churchill College Overseas Fellow.

• Ordinary General Assembly rescheduled after quorum failure on 4 September 2026.

National professional association representing and coordinating astronomy, astrophysics and space sciences in Turkey.

• Membership services

  Individual and institutional membership with dues, member-only sections, and a memorial book.

• National Astronomy Congress (UAK)

  Recurring national congress coordinated by the society; 24th edition announced for 2026 in Erzurum.

• Activity reports

  Published reports on the society's activities.

1. 1Türk Astronomi Derneği (TAD) | Astronomi, Astrofizik ve Uzay Bilimleritad.org.tr
2. 2Turkish Astronomical Society - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Türk Astronomi Derneği - Wikipedia (Turkish)tr.wikipedia.org