Affiliated Societies

Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand

Local Astronomical Societies affiliated to the RASNZ

North Island Societies Affiliated to RASNZ
Northland Astronomical Society.	Auckland Ast. Soc.	Northern Observational, Auckland
Molehill Ast. Group, Northshore City	Franklin District Astronomers	Hamilton Ast. Soc.
Rotorua Ast. Soc.	Tauranga Ast. Soc.	Whakatane Ast. Soc.
Gisborne Ast. Soc.	Napier: Hawkes Bay Ast. Soc.	New Plymouth Ast. Soc.
Hawera Ast. Soc.	Wanganui Ast. Soc.	Foxton Ast. Soc.
Wellington Ast. Soc.	Gifford Observatory Trust, Wellington
South Island Societies Affiliated to RASNZ
Nelson Astronomical Society	Canterbury Ast. Soc., Christchurch	Oamaru, North Otago Ast. Soc.
Central Otago Ast. Soc.	Dunedin Ast. Soc.	Southland Ast. Soc., Invercargill
Other NZ Societies
Skydome Obs. Gp. Dargaville	Coromandel Ast. Group.	Palmerston North Ast. Soc.
	Phoenix Astronomical Society

RASNZ home page

Auckland Astronomical Society

P O Box 24-187,
Royal Oak,
AUCKLAND 4

For further information contact: the Secretary

Home page: Auckland Astronomical Society

The Auckland Astronomical Society was founded in 1922 and today has about 600 members. The Society meets at the Stardome Observatory in Auckland on the second Monday of each month (except January). There are additional meetings every Friday night offering a wide range of interesting talks and activities for our members. Regular star parties are held at a dark site for casual observing. Facilities available to members include an excellent borrowing library, rental telescopes and a monthly Journal of over 24 pages. A number of our members are volunteers at the Stardome; others are actively involved in astronomical research.

Auckland Astronomical Society, Inc.
P O Box 24-187
Auckland, New Zealand

Officers for 2008:
President: Grant Christie
Treasurer: Andrew Buckingham

Northern Observational Astronomy Association

307 B Winifred Avenue
Whangamata

For further information contact Barbara Ives

Canterbury Astronomical Society

PO Box 25 137
CHRISTCHURCH

For further information contact the president: Ian Crumpton
Phone (03) 3425375.
Address: Old West Coast Rd, RD1, Christchurch.

CAS Homepage at CAS

Dunedin Astronomical Society

P.O. Box 6019
DUNEDIN

The Dunedin Astronomical Society is an association of amateur astronomers operating from the Beverly-Begg Observatory on Robin Hood Park in Dunedin. The observatory houses a 12" reflector fitted with a CCD camera and computer controlled drive system. The society owns a number of telescopes (including the new 18" Storer telescope) and reference materials that are available to members. DAS has access to a house near Middlemarch for use by members as a dark sky site.

During winter months public sessions are held on Sunday nights starting at 7:30 pm. Education sessions for private groups may be made by arrangement through the education officer.

The Society meets on the first and third Tuesdays each month except January. Meetings start at 8pm and are held in the Observatory annex.

For further information contact:

Peter Jaquiery (President), phone 03 4640506, email Peter Jaquiery.

Ash Pennell (Education Officer and Curator), phone 03 4767786, email ajpennel.

Observatory: phone 03 4777683 (answer phone)

Foxton Beach Astronomical Society

Secretary: Paul Matthews,
3 Cook Street
FOXTON 4814
Phone: 06 363 6980

Email Paul Matthews

Franklin District Astronomers

36 Totara Avenue
Pukekohe 2120

For further information contact Chris Wilson
Email: Franklin AS
Phone: 09 238 3422 Mob:021 156 8276

Galactic Circle Aotearoa New Zealand

The Galactic Circle is now merged into the Wellington Astronomical Society.

Gifford Observatory Trust

PO Box 16 155
WELLINGTON SOUTH

A Wellington based group operating the Gifford Observatory behind Wellington College. The group has a web site at Gifford Observatory, Wellington.

The Chair Person is Peter Graham

The treasurer is Duncan Hall to whom ordinary correspondence should be addressed at: 58A Messines Road, Karori, Wellington 6012. Email Duncan Hall

Gisborne Astronomical Society

P O Box 678,
GISBORNE

For further information contact: Huon Chandler

Hamilton Astronomical Society

P O Box 9153,
HAMILTON.

The Hamilton Astronomical Society home page is at HAS
For further information contact: Carole Evans, Secretary phone (07) 825 2737, or Carol Thompson, President (07) 856 4694.

The secretary can be reached by Email at secretary

Hamilton Astronomical Society Public Nights are held on the first and third Wednesday of the month excluding January. (7.30 pm or 8.30pm during Daylight Saving). These are held at the Hamilton Observatory adjacent to the Hamilton Zoo in Brymer Road.

Society Nights are the first Monday of the Month and Club Night (informal) on the Friday in the month closest to New Moon.

Hawera Astronomical Society

c/- Hon Secretary,
39 Rata Street,
Hawera

For further information contact D C Glass or J Triebels

Hawkes Bay Astronomical Society

c/- J D Dunlop,
7 Maadi Road,
NAPIER

email: Secretary HBAS

Molehill Astronomy Group

c/- Marc Bos,
54 McDowell Crescent,
Glenfield
Northshore City

For further information contact Marc Bos

Astronomy Section, Nelson Science Society, RSNZ

8 Regent Lane,
Richmond,
NELSON 7002

Meetings are held the first Thursday of the month at Landcare Research, Milton/Halifax Streets, Nelson.

Star Parties are held once a month at the Atkinson Observatory, Princes Drive, Nelson.

For further information contact Maria Marsh Secretary/Treasurer 03 544 5241

New Plymouth Astronomical Society

David Hill, Secretary
P O Box 818,
NEW PLYMOUTH

For further information contact David Hill

Northland Astronomical Society

The goal of the Northland Astronomical Society (Inc.) is to promote and educate the people of Northland, New Zealand, in the many fascinating and exciting aspects of astronomy.

Contact the president, Maree Wedding
or Email: Northland Ast Soc

The society web page is at www.astronomynorth.orcon.net.nz.

Central Otago Astronomical Society

Dr Barry Wills
Secretary
PO Box 178
Alexandra 9181

Phone: (03) 448 8215

For further information contact: Dr Barry Wills

North Otago Astronomical Society

30 Stour Street
Oamaru

Phone: (03) 434 8757

Email: North Otago Ast Soc

The Society has a small, active, membership, who meet on the first Monday of each month. Public nights are held at the observatory each Friday, weather permitting, during the first and last quarters of the Moon. However, the observatory is closed during the summer months.

Each September, the Society hosts the Stargazers' Getaway weekend gathering at Camp Iona, Herbert, 15 minutes south of Oamaru. A programme of speakers is arranged, but the emphasis is on an informal, relaxing, weekend, open to anyone with an interest in astronomy.

For further information, contact Hans Brienesse North Otago Ast Soc

Rotorua Astronomical Society

P O Box 1296,
ROTORUA

For further information contact: Malcolm MacDonald

The Rotorua Astronomical Society is a small group, meeting on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30pm. The venue is Wohlmann House in Hinemoa Street. Meetings take the usual form, an address by a member or invited speaker, with discussion of the latest astronomical events. Visitors are always welcome.

A very informative monthly newsletter is also published by the society, with many of the articles taken from the internet.

The Society has established an observatory near the Green Lake, on the way to Tarawera. The telescope in use is a 200mm Schmidt-Casegrain reflector. Some of the members have telescopes of their own, ranging in size from 60mm refractors, to 300mm reflectors. There are no regular observatory nights, and it is advisable to contact a member of the committee to make suitable arrangements.

There is a strong interest in educational astronomy and members periodically visit schools and other organisations, with astronomical equipment to supplement classroom lessons and show a practical perspective.

Southland Astronomical Society

Lloyd Esler (Secretary)
PO Box 1168,
INVERCARGILL

Email Secretary SAS.

Southland Astronomical Society Website Southland Astronomical Society

The Southland Astronomical Society is the southern-most society in the world. Formed in 1961, it is a small but strong group of about 50 members.

Meeting nights are the first Thursday of each month at 8 pm from February to December at:

Hearing Association Rooms
126 Leet Street
Invercargill

Meetings have varied formats, talks by members or guest speakers, slide or quiz evenings, practical demonstrations or instruction and lots of discussions of many different topics.

A group of members operates the public Observatory during the winter months (April to end of September) on Wednesday evenings, 7 - 9 pm. It is opened on other evenings for school and other groups by arrangement (contact the Museum).

The society publishes a small monthly newsletter. It has a number of small telescopes available for loan to members.

For further information contact: Lloyd Esler (secretary)
PO Box 1168
INVERCARGILL

Tauranga Astronomical Society

c/- The Secretary,
Jim Barrowsclough
14 Hazel Terrace
Tauranga

President : George Stewart : geo_dorothy@wave.co.nz

Newsletter Editor: Andrew Walker.

For further information contact: Ursula Macfarlane

The Tauranga Astronomical Society was formed in 2002.
Public meetings are held on the 4th Wednesday of each month starting at 7.30 pm.
The Society's web page is at Tauranga Astronomical Society

Wanganui Astronomical Society

Contacts:

President: Ross Skilton
Phone: 06 345 9654

Secretary: Mark Lee
Phone: 06 344 2258 or 02 7457 9615
167c Parsons Street, Wanganui

We meet every Friday night at the Ward Observatory for public viewing.
The Wanganui Society meets on the third Wednesday of every month.

Wellington Astronomical Society

PO Box 3126,
WELLINGTON 6001

Contacts: Ross Powell, President, Vicki Irons, Vice-President.

The Wellington Astronomical Society meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30, Science House, Turnbull Street in Thorndon. Meetings usually have topics presented by guest speakers, and are followed with a light supper. We have regular observing nights at the Gifford Observatory behind Wellington College, at our observing site in Mangaroa, and at our observatory in Pauatahanui. In addition the society supports a number of informal observing sub-groups to help people arrange get-togethers with others nearby. The Society itself is full of enthusiastic astronomers, both professional and amateur, and aims to provide a wide range of activities for our very diverse membership.

More information can be found on the Wellington Astronomical Society web site: Wellington Astronomical Society web page

Whakatane Astronomical Society

Contacts:

President : Norman Izett
Secretary : Diana Watson.
Postal address: 41 Eastbank Road, RD3, Whakatane.
Phone: 07 304 9193.
Vice President: Keith Blair

Public nights are held on Tuesdays and Fridays throughout the year, weather permitting, at 7:30 pm, or earlier by arrangement. Bookings are welcome for other nights from School classes, and other groups of six or more, starting times from 5:30pm or half an hour after sunset during the summer. The observatory is available all year round. Society meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month, except January, at the observatory in Hurinui Avenue, off Hillcrest Road. All are welcome.

Telescopes:

350mm Celestron Schmidt Cassegrain
250mm Meade Schmidt Cassegrain with Goto Control. This instrument is on indefinite loan to our Society.
150mm refractor built by John Smith of Kawerau, fitted with a solar filter.

Skydome Observers Group, Baylys Beach (near Dargaville)

Meetings: Monthly - Sunday nights (winter) Saturday nights (summer):

Sunday 22nd July 6:30 for 7pm - 1st quarter moon
Sunday 12 August - Perseid Meteor Shower (No moon)
Sunday 16th September - Crescent Moon
Saturday 13th October - 8pm 2 day crescent moon
Saturday 3rd November - South Taurids Meteor Shower (No Moon) 8:30

Contact: Deborah Hambly
Phone: 09 439 1856 or 0210 751 228

This club is the newest astronomical club in New Zealand and the only West coast club North of Auckland. We are based at the Skydome Observatory, at Baylys Beach, near Dargaville, Northland and are blessed with beautifully dark skies. We have an enthusiastic group of students from the local high school, as well as several experienced adults.

The observatory, with its rotating domed roof houses a 14" Newtonian Reflector previously used by the Northland Astronomical Society (Whangarei). A refractor which has a SolarMax40 fitted for daytime use is piggy backed to the main scope which is equatorially mounted and driven. We have just installed a new Argo Navis computer system on the scope. Additionally the members have two 8" portable computerised telescopes.

The Observatory houses the largest telescope in the North Island which is open daily to the public. Helio (sun tours), Observatory tours and evening tours are available to the public on a daily basis, with reservations recommended through Deborah at Astronomy Adventures, which also caters for groups and schools.

Coromandel Astronomy Group

This is a new astronomy group not yet affiliated to RASNZ.

We are a small group with the aim of fostering interest in the night sky for young and old alike. No previous experience is necessary...just curiosity. We hold very irregular observing sessions using a 6" refractor when weather and mood suit. The group was formed in 2002 and has grown quickly and there are currently about 25-30 members on our books and we regularly get 12-20 or more to our sessions.

The latest event was a transit of Mercury BBQ and observing session overlooking the Hauraki Gulf from the hills above Coromandel town...a great evening with most spectacular eta Aquarids thrown in! (But clouds west of Auckland covered the transit at the last minute).

Anyone interested in joining us as a regular member or as a visitor passing through should contact Alastair Brickell by phone (07)-866-5343

Palmerston North Astronomical Society

137 Fitzherbert Avenue,
PALMERSTON NORTH

For further information contact: Ian Cooper

The Phoenix Astronomical Society

Mr Richard Hall, President
PO Box 2217
WELLINGTON

The Phoenix Astronomical Society is a dynamic and extremely active society based in Wellington and the Wairarapa. Since our formation in December 1997 our membership, drawn from throughout New Zealand, has grown to approximately 450. We have built the first of our recreational observatories near Carterton, and a second recreational observatory is in the planning stages as well as a top class research observatory. Our on-site clubroom provides facilities for meetings, social gatherings and a place to relax and warm-up in between a cold night's astronomical activities.

The primary aim of the society is to make astronomy accessible to everyone whatever their level of interest and knowledge. Our members range from absolute beginners to students, educators, telescope-makers, experts in electronics, optical systems, and various areas of research astronomy. We keep members informed of the latest astronomical information through our excellent newsletter and webpage Phoenix, and at monthly meetings in Wellington, the Wairarapa, and the Hawkes Bay. We also produce an annual astronomical Almanac, and organise two annual functions - Stardate in January in the Hawkes Bay and the Winter Astrocamp in June in the Wairarapa. The latter informal gatherings allow amateur astronomers to share knowledge and ideas with one another in a relaxed atmosphere as well as mix with national and international speakers.

Society index