General Information
The object of the Society is the promotion and extension
of knowledge of astronomy and related branches of science. It
encourages interest in Astronomy, and is an association of
observers and others for mutual help and advancement of science.
It was founded in 1920 as the New Zealand Astronomical Society
and assumed its present title on receiving the Royal Charter in
1946. In 1967 it became a Member Body of the Royal Society of New
Zealand. The address of the Royal Astronomical Society of New
Zealand is:
P O Box 3181, Wellington, New Zealand.
Email to
RASNZ executive secretary
Membership
Membership of the Society is open to all
interested in astronomy. The RASNZ has about 180 individual
members, including both professional and amateur astronomers.
Many of the astronomical research and observing programmes
carried out in this country involve collaboration between
professional and amateur observers in New Zealand and elsewhere.
In addition the society has a number of special interest groups
or sections which cater for people who have interests in
particular areas of astronomy. There are also a number of local
societies which are affiliated to the RASNZ but generally cater
for local amateur astronomers.
Subscriptions
The 2007 annual subscription of the RASNZ
for ordinary members is $75.00. This is reduced to $37.50 for
students engaged in full-time study. Special rates apply to
Affiliated Societies, and to overseas members.
Subscriptions cover the calendar year, reduced rates apply for
those joining late in the year.
Membership forms and further details are available on line.
Publications received by members
include Southern Stars, the Society Journal published four times
a year and, optionally, an Astronomical Yearbook. Members also receive an
Email Newsletter which is sent out monthly apart from January.
Members without Email may receive a printed copy.
Membership application.
Contacts for the Society Officers
Society Officers may be
contacted by Email from the following links.
Conferences
An Annual RASNZ Conference is held at which members and others
present papers on their own observations, research and other
topics of astronomical interest.
The conference for the year 2008 will be
held at Lake Tekapo from the evening of Friday May 23 to Sunday May 25 , and is being hosted by the Canterbury Astronomical Society. It will be preceeded on Friday by an all day CCD workshop run by Tom Richards
RASNZ Publications
The RASNZ produces or co-produces a number of publications.
These are supplied to all members as part of their subscription.
Southern Stars
As from March 2001, Southern Stars has
incorporated the RASNZ Newsletter, which was previously printed
separately, into a new style publication. Although the title
"Southern Stars" remains unchanged, a larger, A4, page format is
in use.
Southern Star is the official journal of RASNZ. It is intended
the new look publication should contain
- RESEARCH PAPERS - theoretical, observational, technical,
historical, etc.
- NEWS ARTICLES regarding recent events in NZ astronomy -
discoveries, gatherings, awards, etc.
- ANNUAL REPORTS from NZ astronomical institutions.
- REVIEWS of astronomical activities - sections,
local/regional groups, personal, etc
- LETTERS to the editor
- OBSERVERS FORUM - particularly interesting photographs or
descriptions.
Southern Stars is normally published quarterly. Institutions
may subscribe to Southern Stars at the rate of $50 per annum .
Intending contributors should contact the editor who will advise
on current requirements for contributions.
Send Emails to the editor, Mr R W Evans
Southern stars editor, postal address
15 Taiepa Road, RD9 Otatara, Invercargill, New Zealand.
General enquiries about Southern Stars should be directed to
sstars@rasnz.org.nz, or by
postal mail to Southern Stars, RASNZ, PO Box 3181, Wellington,
NZ.
Abstracts for volume
38 forward are available on this site.
Email Newsletter
RASNZ now produces a monthly Email Newsletter. This is sent by
Email to all members with this facility and to all Societies
affiliated to RASNZ. Members without Email will be sent a printed
copy.
Any other person or institution who would like to receive this
Newsletter by Email should send a message requesting they be
added to the circulation list to the Editor.
The Email newsletter is published monthly from February to
December and is timed to appear about the 20th of the month. It
contains news about RASNZ council, Affiliated Societies and RASNZ
sections, together with items of current interest in astronomy in
New Zealand and beyond. Contributions may be sent to the
Editor at any time. The
dead line for each issue is normally the 18th of the month.
Astronomical Yearbook
This handbook of stars and planets in the southern skies is
published by the
Auckland
Observatory and is optionally distributed by RASNZ to its
members.
The Astronomical Yearbook contains articles and information on
a wide range of topics aimed to provide a useful resource for
everyone who is interested in astronomy in New Zealand. It
includes monthly star charts, sunrise and sunset tables for four
major districts of New Zealand, tables of moonrise and set and
much more.
