Meade 4M Community

Meade 4M Community is the world's first factory-sponsored astronomical society supported by an alliance of astronomy and space exploration organizations and enthusiasts, with a worldwide membership.

Sponsored by telescope maker Meade Instruments in 2005 as a way to nurture and grow the astronomy and space exploration enthusiast community at large and to formalize its outreach efforts, the 4M Community was proposed by astronomy outreach activist and Meade employee Scott W. Roberts, who serves as the organization's Executive Director.

What makes the organization unique is its inclusive structure. Its alliance members are made up of educational institutions, profit and non-profit organizations, astronomical publishers, clubs and societies, and notable individuals who make it their mission to support outreach to the general public in astronomy and space exploration.

Based in Irvine, California, the organization welcomes anyone interested in astronomy and space and offers free membership to anyone who wishes to join. 4M Community is sponsored by Meade Instruments, but it is not a 'Meade owner's club'.

The 4M Alliance nurtures and supports the 4M Community Members through articles, lectures, streaming audio programs, and outreach events. The organization's supporting 4M Alliance Members include:

4M Alliance Organizations

*Astronomical League
*AstronomyOutreach network
*Astronomical Society of the Pacific
*Astronomers Without Borders
*Earthrise Institute
*Global Network of Astronomical Telescopes
*International Dark-Sky Association
*Mount Wilson Observatory Association
*National Space Society
*Sally Ride Science
*StarDate
*X PRIZE Foundation

4M Alliance Clubs and Societies

*Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club
*Orange County Astronomers
*Miami Valley Astronomical Society

4M Alliance Educational Institutions

*Irvine Valley College
*Florida Community College
*The Clay Center Observatory at Dexter and Southfield Schools
*Mercer University Physics Department

4M Alliance Science Centers and Planetariums

*LodeStar Astronomy Center at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History
*Cherry Planetarium at the Fernbank Science Center
*Sommers-Bausch Observatory & Fiske Planetarium
*Charlotte Nature Museum and Discovery Place
*Adler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum
*Cleveland Museum of Natural History
*New Detroit Science Center
*Gene Roddenberry Planetarium
*Lowell Observatory
*Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium at Science City
*Mueller Planetarium at University of Nebraska State Museum
*Gheens Science Hall& Rauch Planetarium
*Miami Museum of Science & Planetarium
*Milwaukee Public Museum
*Chabot Space and Science Center
*Dr. Phillips CineDome at the Orlando Science Center
*Franklin Institute Science Museum
*Carnegie Science Center
*Kendall Planetarium at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
*Science Museum of Virginia
*St. Louis Science Center
*Clark Planetarium
*Reuben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center
*Suits-Bueche Planetarium at the Schenectady Museum
*Gengras Planetarium at the Science Center of Connecticut
*Exploration Place

4M Alliance Publishing Companies

*Astronomy (magazine)
*Popular Science magazine
*Sky & Telescope magazine
*StarDate magazine

4M Alliance Outreach Representatives

*David H. Levy
*Michael E. Brown
*Chris Lintott
*Jean Mueller
*Michael D. Reynolds
*Sheryl Johnson
*Tippy D'Auria
*J. Kelly Beatty
*Craig Bobchin
*Jay Pasachoff
*Andre Bormanis
*Donald C. Parker
*Stephen Edberg
*P. Clay Sherrod
*Terry Mann
*Mike Bennett
*Ron Dantowitz
*Peter Diamandis
*Gary Palmer
*Gary Fujihara
*Lisa Bruhn
*Dave Eicher
*Jason Ware
*Jack B. Newton
*Shelley R. Bonus
*Mark Sibole
*Matt Taylor
*Mike Weasner
*Steve Hamilton
*John Adair
*Greg Piepol
*Chuck Reese
*Cameran Ashraf
*Ralph Pass
*George T. Whitesides
*Cliff Delacy
*Imelda Joson
*Eddie Mahoney
*Mike Simmons

4M Alliance Events

*Hands on the Sun Conference
*Northeast Astronomy Forum
*RTMC Astronomy Expo

External links

* [http://www.meade4m.org 4M Community Web Site]