Although he had been fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society since 1875, Maunder wanted an association of astronomers open to every person interested in astronomy, from every class of society, and especially open for women.
Iako je on bio član Kraljevskog astronomskog društva još od 1875. godine, želeo je udruženje astronoma otvoreno za svaku osobu koja je bila zainteresovana za astronomiju, posebno otvoreno za žene.