Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand
Encyclopedia
The Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) 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.
In 1967, the RASNZ became a member body of the Royal Society of New Zealand
.
. Currently (2010), the society has around 180 members consisting of professional and amateur astronomers.
Current and past members of note include:
The RASNZ holds an annual conference, generally hosted by one of the affiliated societies. The conference is open to non-members. A wide range of papers are presented during the conference and often symposiums related to the RASNZ's sections are held in conjunction with the conference.
The Gifford-Eiby Lecture fund exists to provide funds to sponsor the visits to Affiliated Societies and RASNZ members of lecturers or instructors in astronomy to regions throughout New Zealand.
The Kingdon-Tomlinson Fund is used to provide grants to promote the study of astronomy in New Zealand.
The Murray Geddes Prize is generally awarded annually in recognition of contributions to astronomy in New Zealand.
RASNZ publishes a quarterly journal (Southern Stars). The Astronomical Yearbook produced by the Auckland Observatory is also provided to members.
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...
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 founded in 1920 as the New Zealand Astronomical Society. In 1946, the society received its Royal Charter and became the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand.In 1967, the RASNZ became a member body of the Royal Society of New Zealand
Royal Society of New Zealand
The Royal Society of New Zealand , known as the New Zealand Institute before 1933, was established in 1867 to co-ordinate and assist the activities of a number of regional research societies including the Auckland Institute, the Wellington Philosophical Society, the Philosophical Institute of...
.
Membership
Membership of the society is open to anyone interested in astronomy including groups like the Southland Astronomical SocietySouthland Astronomical Society
The Southland Astronomical Society is the southern-most astronomical society in the world. Based in Invercargill at the southern tip of New Zealand's South Island, its small, active group of about 35 amateur astronomer members participate in a variety of astronomical activities including education...
. Currently (2010), the society has around 180 members consisting of professional and amateur astronomers.
Current and past members of note include:
- Alan C. GilmoreAlan C. GilmoreAlan Charles Gilmore is a New Zealand astronomer.He has discovered some forty asteroids, each one in collaboration with Pamela M. Kilmartin; both of them are also active "nova-" and "comet-hunters". He works at Mount John University Observatory and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of...
- Albert F. A. L. JonesAlbert F. A. L. JonesAlbert F. A. L. Jones is a New Zealand amateur astronomer, and a prolific variable star and comet observer, a member of the Variable Star Section and the Comet Section of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand.-Life:...
- Charles GiffordCharles GiffordAlgernon Charles Gifford MA was an astronomer, explorer and teacher. Gifford was born off the Cape of Good Hope aboard the Zealandia and upon arrival in New Zealand his family settled in Oamaru. In 1880 he became a sizar at St John's College, Cambridge and graduated as 14th wrangler...
- Frank BatesonFrank BatesonFrank Bateson, OBE, 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...
- Leslie ComrieLeslie ComrieLeslie John Comrie was an astronomer and a pioneer in mechanical computation.-Life:Leslie John Comrie was born in Pukekohe , New Zealand, on 15 August 1893....
- Pamela M. KilmartinPamela M. KilmartinPamela M. Kilmartin is a New Zealand astronomer.She has discovered some forty asteroids, each one in collaboration with Alan C. Gilmore; both of them are also active comet-hunters.She is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand ....
- Brian MarinoBrian Marino-Background:Marino spent his childhood in Auckland and was educated at St Peter's College.-Astronomy:Marino trained as an engineer. But he is remembered for his contribution to astronomy. Marino jointly discovered the phenomenon of the super-outbursts by dwarf nova . He also contributed to the...
- Ronald Alexander McIntosh
- Duncan MacLaren Young SommervilleDuncan MacLaren Young SommervilleDuncan MacLaren Young Sommerville was a Scottish mathematician and astronomer, best known for his work in multidimensional geometry...
Activities
RASNZ coordinates a number of sections (groups of people who share a common interest) including the Occultation, Education and Variable Star sections.The RASNZ holds an annual conference, generally hosted by one of the affiliated societies. The conference is open to non-members. A wide range of papers are presented during the conference and often symposiums related to the RASNZ's sections are held in conjunction with the conference.
The Gifford-Eiby Lecture fund exists to provide funds to sponsor the visits to Affiliated Societies and RASNZ members of lecturers or instructors in astronomy to regions throughout New Zealand.
The Kingdon-Tomlinson Fund is used to provide grants to promote the study of astronomy in New Zealand.
The Murray Geddes Prize is generally awarded annually in recognition of contributions to astronomy in New Zealand.
RASNZ publishes a quarterly journal (Southern Stars). The Astronomical Yearbook produced by the Auckland Observatory is also provided to members.