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 is the Society Journal published four
times a year.
The Email Newsletter is published monthly apart from
December and sent to members by email. Members without Email may receive a printed copy.
An Astronomical Yearbook is published annually towards the
end of one year covering astronomical events for the following year. This is available to
members as an optional extra.
Membership application.
Contacts for the Society Officers
Society Officers may be contacted by Email from the following links.
Annual Conference
An Annual RASNZ Conference is held at which members and non-members present papers on their own
observations, research and other topics of astronomical interest. Anyone interested in
astronomy is welcome to attend.
The
2011 conference will be held in Napier at the Napier War Memorial Conference Centre from
the evening of Friday May 27 to Sunday May 29. It is being hosted by the Hawkes Bay
Astronomical Society.
The conference will be preceded on the Thursday and Friday morning by the fifth Trans Tasman
Symposium on Occultations and followed on the Monday by an Astrophotography workshop featuring
David Malin.
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 deadline 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.
