Frank Bateson
Encyclopedia
Frank Bateson, OBE
, (31 October 1909 – 16 April 2007) was a New Zealand
astronomer
who specialized in the study of variable stars.
Frank Maine Bateson was born in Wellington
on 31 October 1909 and studied in Australia
and New Zealand. His interest in astronomy
developed during his school years in Sydney, Australia; in 1927, at the age of 18, he founded the Variable Star Section (VSS) of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand
. He remained as Director of the VSS until 2004.
Under his lead, the VSS observed variable star
s and collated reports on stars from both professional and amateur observers
throughout the world and was known worldwide for its work in the field of variable stars. He was associated with the VSS until his death. He and his wife, Doris, formed a non-profit organization called Astronomical Research Ltd. which administers the over 1,000,000 observations which have been delivered to the VSS by amateur and professional astronomers worldwide since the onset of the program.
He served in World War II
with New Zealand's Home Naval Service, then after the war moved to Rarotonga
, Cook Islands
where he worked until 1960. In 1957 he was elected to the Parliament of the Cook Islands
, the first person of European heritage to be so elected. He spent much of his career working in the business field while pursuing his astronomical interests as a hobby.
Bateson was instrumental in the founding of the Mount John University Observatory
near Lake Tekapo
, assisting the University of Canterbury
in finding an appropriate location for the observatory. Bateson was appointed Astronomer-in-Charge of the observatory after it opened in 1963; he held this position until his retirement in 1969.
Bateson has also authored or co-authored over 300 scientific papers. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) in 1963. He served on the society's council for a number of years, including one year as president. He was an honorary member of the Royal Astronomical Society
and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
. Bateson was also a member of the International Astronomical Union
and served as its first representative from New Zealand. He received the Jackson-Gwilt Medal
of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1960 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Waikato
in 1979. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire
(OBE) in 1970 for services to astronomy and the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
in 1980. The asteroid
2434 Bateson
was named in his honour..
Frank Bateson died at the age of 97 on 16 April 2007, in Tauranga
, New Zealand.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
, (31 October 1909 – 16 April 2007) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
who specialized in the study of variable stars.
Frank Maine Bateson was born in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
on 31 October 1909 and studied in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand. His interest in astronomy
Astronomy
Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...
developed during his school years in Sydney, Australia; in 1927, at the age of 18, he founded the Variable Star Section (VSS) of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand
Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand
The Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand is the New Zealand national astronomical society. It is an association of professional and amateur astronomers with the prime objective to the promotion and extension of knowledge of astronomy and related branches of science.- History :The society was...
. He remained as Director of the VSS until 2004.
Under his lead, the VSS observed variable star
Variable star
A star is classified as variable if its apparent magnitude as seen from Earth changes over time, whether the changes are due to variations in the star's actual luminosity, or to variations in the amount of the star's light that is blocked from reaching Earth...
s and collated reports on stars from both professional and amateur observers
Amateur astronomy
Amateur astronomy, also called backyard astronomy and stargazing, is a hobby whose participants enjoy watching the night sky , and the plethora of objects found in it, mainly with portable telescopes and binoculars...
throughout the world and was known worldwide for its work in the field of variable stars. He was associated with the VSS until his death. He and his wife, Doris, formed a non-profit organization called Astronomical Research Ltd. which administers the over 1,000,000 observations which have been delivered to the VSS by amateur and professional astronomers worldwide since the onset of the program.
He served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
with New Zealand's Home Naval Service, then after the war moved to Rarotonga
Rarotonga
Rarotonga is the most populous island of the Cook Islands, with a population of 14,153 , out of the country's total population of 19,569.The Cook Islands' Parliament buildings and international airport are on Rarotonga...
, Cook Islands
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
where he worked until 1960. In 1957 he was elected to the Parliament of the Cook Islands
Parliament of the Cook Islands
The Parliament of the Cook Islands is the legislature of the Cook Islands. Originally established under New Zealand colonial rule, it became the national legislature on independence in 1965....
, the first person of European heritage to be so elected. He spent much of his career working in the business field while pursuing his astronomical interests as a hobby.
Bateson was instrumental in the founding of the Mount John University Observatory
Mount John University Observatory
Mount John University Observatory , is New Zealand's premier astronomical research observatory. It is situated at ASL atop Mount John at the northern end of the Mackenzie Basin in the South Island, and was established in 1965...
near Lake Tekapo
Lake Tekapo (town)
TekapoUrban AreaPopulation:Extent:Territorial AuthorityName:Mackenzie District CouncilPopulation:Mayor:Website:Extent:Regional councilName:Environment Canterbury...
, assisting the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
in finding an appropriate location for the observatory. Bateson was appointed Astronomer-in-Charge of the observatory after it opened in 1963; he held this position until his retirement in 1969.
Bateson has also authored or co-authored over 300 scientific papers. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) in 1963. He served on the society's council for a number of years, including one year as president. He was an honorary member of the Royal Astronomical Society
Royal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is a national, non-profit, charitable organization devoted to the advancement of astronomy and related sciences. At present, there are 29 local branches of the Society, called centres, located in towns and cities across the country from St. John's,...
. Bateson was also a member of the International Astronomical Union
International Astronomical Union
The International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
and served as its first representative from New Zealand. He received the Jackson-Gwilt Medal
Jackson-Gwilt Medal
The Jackson-Gwilt Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society has been awarded regularly since 1897 for the invention, improvement, or development of astronomical instrumentation or techniques; for achievement in observational astronomy; or for achievement in research into the history of astronomy.The...
of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1960 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Waikato
University of Waikato
The University of Waikato is located in Hamilton and Tauranga, New Zealand, and was established in 1964. It has strengths across a broad range of subject areas, particularly its degrees in Computer Science and in Management...
in 1979. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(OBE) in 1970 for services to astronomy and the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
Astronomical Society of the Pacific
The Astronomical Society of the Pacific is a scientific and educational organization, founded in San Francisco on February 7, 1889. Its name derives from its origins on the Pacific Coast, but today it has members all over the country and the world...
in 1980. The asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
2434 Bateson
2434 Bateson
2434 Bateson is a main-belt asteroid discovered on May 27, 1981 by A. C. Gilmore and P. M. Kilmartin at the Mount John University Observatory.- External links :*...
was named in his honour..
Frank Bateson died at the age of 97 on 16 April 2007, in Tauranga
Tauranga
Tauranga is the most populous city in the Bay of Plenty region, in the North Island of New Zealand.It was settled by Europeans in the early 19th century and was constituted as a city in 1963...
, New Zealand.
Further reading
- Paradise Beckons by Frank M. Bateson. Heritage Press, 1989. ISBN 0-908708-13-0.