With RASNZ being a member of an exclusive group of New Zealand ‘Royal’ organisations, whereby it has operated with royal patronage since receiving its charter in 1946, on behalf of our society I acknowledge the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II together with the accession of His Majesty King Charles III.

Regarding key Council business, we continue our work of engaging and supporting RASNZ’s Affiliated Societies, and Sections & Groups. Earlier this month, we had our first virtual meeting of the Affiliated Societies with 9 societies in attendance. The meeting featured positive and enthusiastic participation by all present. The next meeting is scheduled to take place on 6 October and then on the first Thursday of each month thereafter. The Council also met with Steve Kerr, Director of the Occultations Section, to learn about their recent activities and to find ways in which we can support them.

John Drummond, FRANZ, who has served on the RASNZ Council in various capacities, including that of President and Secretary, has advised that the IAU has confirmed his request to name an asteroid. The story of how this special honour came about is featured in this Newsletter. In keeping with your Council’s desire to reach as many people in as many ways as possible, we are also providing an online interview with John to supplement his article as follows: via YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4ifAp41dy4 and via podcast - https://thekiwiastronomers.podbean.com/

After serving for more than a decade, John has decided to resign from the Council to focus on his PhD studies. I am sure we all wish him all the very best with this. His present role as Secretary will shortly be taken on by Emily Barraclough who currently volunteers for the Marlborough-based Omaka Observatory where she delivers presentations to the public and to schools. Emily’s goal at RASNZ is to work with the Council to make participation in astronomy observation and learning more accessible to everyone, in particular the younger demographic and families.

You will recall that last month we launched our series of astronomy talks via the RASNZ YouTube channel. In the first talk RASNZ Councillor Professor John Hearnshaw shared his views previously delivered to the IAU General Assembly. Since it was livestreamed, it has had had over 440 views and can still be seen at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TokmstSKw-w&t=17s The next talk in our series will be given by Dr John Mather. John is a Nobel Laureate and senior project scientist leading the James Webb Space Telescope science team. His talk was originally delivered as the Keynote address at the annual RASNZ Conference in June 2022. It is now available to be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuVoiOq83ks A week ago Dunedin Astronomical Society celebrated 100 years of the Beverly Begg Observatory. This observatory has enabled the Dunedin society to make significant contributions to astronomy in New Zealand through members’ research and by raising public awareness of astronomy via open nights and education programmes. RASNZ Past President, Steve Butler, was in attendance to celebrate with them and to share RASNZ’s congratulations and best wishes as they embark on a second century of exploration and enjoyment.

You will most probably have read the unsettling news regarding the Warkworth Radio Astronomical Observatory. Despite its record of contribution to science both locally and internationally, the future of New Zealand’s only radio observatory is suddenly uncertain. The value of scientific contribution and discovery cannot be determined by simple economics but in these difficult economic times, it would appear that AUT cannot afford to continue to operate it. In the meantime, RASNZ is on standby to support the continued operation of the observatory in any way it is able to.

On a more positive note, we are excited to have the New Zealand Students’ Space Association (NZSSA) collaborate with RASNZ by providing a column for our Newsletter. Their introductory contribution is featured in this edition. Further, and commencing with the Wellington Astronomical Society, each month we plan to feature an Affiliated Society in our Newsletter. Our aim is to give RASNZ members a better understanding of what is going on in the various regions and perhaps how you can join in.

Our Royal Charter, which I talked about at the start, was awarded in recognition of our national role, our ‘not-for-profit’ charity status and our scientific purpose. RASNZ has successfully operated on this basis for over 100 years and its journey in doing so is ever evolving and ever expanding. We would like to encourage those of you receiving this Newsletter who are not yet members of RASNZ, or who are lapsed members, to consider becoming financial members. With an annual fee still set at $40 (this hasn’t changed for many years), our new website makes it very easy to become a member, with just a few clicks required at: New Members and Returning Members . By doing this you will assist RASNZ, through its hard working and committed Council and members who are willing to give of their time, to continue to support and promote astronomy in all its forms across our country.

Nalayini Davies, FRASNZ

President – Royal Astronomical Society of NZ

president@rasnz.org.nz

Article added: Friday 16 September 2022