 In 2003, the 25th anniversary of ASTRA managing Airdrie Public Observatory was celebrated, along with the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Society.In 2008, ASTRA stopped managing Airdrie Public Observatory, after the ASTRA Airdrie branch agreed to dissolve its membership of ASTRA, upon which a new group, the Airdrie Astronomical Association began running the Observatory at the invitation of the North Lanarkshire council (now CultureNL).In 2008/2009, the Airdrie Astronomical Association (AAA) was formed after the ASTRA Airdrie branch agreed to dissolve its membership of ASTRA and the new local group began running the Observatory at the invitation of the North Lanarkshire council.