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 2010 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
2010 conference will be held in Dunedin at the Otago Museum Hutton Theatre from the evening
of Friday May 28 to Sunday May 30. It is being hosted by the Dunedin Astronomical Society,
which is celebrating its 100th anniversary during 2010.
The conference will be preceded on Friday by a variable star colloquium and followed on the
Monday and Tuesday by a two day symposium on Occultation observing.
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
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 January to November 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.
