Southland Astronomical Society
Encyclopedia
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 with groups and school children, deep sky observing, astrophotography and aurora observation.
The society operates the Southland Astronomical Society Observatory
and telescope at the Southland Museum and Art Gallery
, with public viewing nights during the winter (April to September). The telescope is a fork mounted 30 cm (12 inch) diameter Cassegrain design.
The society meets monthly to discuss general astronomical topics and receive presentations of astronomical interest. The society has a small library which holds a range of astronomical texts and magazines both contemporary and historical. The society publishes a monthly newsletter for members.
Invercargill
Invercargill is the southernmost and westernmost city in New Zealand, and one of the southernmost cities in the world. It is the commercial centre of the Southland region. It lies in the heart of the wide expanse of the Southland Plains on the Oreti or New River some 18 km north of Bluff,...
at the southern tip of 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...
's South Island
South Island
The South Island is the larger of the two major islands of New Zealand, the other being the more populous North Island. It is bordered to the north by Cook Strait, to the west by the Tasman Sea, to the south and east by the Pacific Ocean...
, its small, active group of about 35 amateur astronomer members participate in a variety of astronomical activities including education with groups and school children, deep sky observing, astrophotography and aurora observation.
The society operates the Southland Astronomical Society Observatory
Southland Astronomical Society Observatory
Southland Astronomical Society Observatory in Invercargill is New Zealand's southernmost observatory. Operated by Southland Astronomical Society but owned by the Southland Museum and Art Gallery, it is situated on the western side of the museum building....
and telescope at the Southland Museum and Art Gallery
Southland museum and art gallery
The Southland Museum and Art Gallery is located in Gala Street, Invercargill, New Zealand. It is Southland's largest cultural and heritage institution, and contains a wide variety of the region's art, history and natural history collections.-Observatory:...
, with public viewing nights during the winter (April to September). The telescope is a fork mounted 30 cm (12 inch) diameter Cassegrain design.
The society meets monthly to discuss general astronomical topics and receive presentations of astronomical interest. The society has a small library which holds a range of astronomical texts and magazines both contemporary and historical. The society publishes a monthly newsletter for members.