The big news from RASNZ this month is that our membership now exceeds 300 which reflects a 46% growth since 21 August 2022. Our concerted efforts to serve our members better and our call for support as the umbrella organisation for New Zealand’s astronomical community – both amateur and professional – seems to be eliciting a formidable response, so thank you! By the way, it should not be forgotten that the total membership of the constituent entities supported by RASNZ viz. the 22 affiliated societies and 8 groups and sections exceeds 2,000 in number.

The exciting astronomical news this month, reported under Science Shorts, is the JWST’s recent detection of possible signatures of life on habitable zone exoplanet K2-18 b that has the world of astrobiologists buzzing. By the time the RASNZ Lecture Trust’s upcoming Beatrice Hill-Tinsley lecture for 2024 is delivered, matters are likely to have progressed further regarding this discovery. This is pertinent because the lecture will be given by Professor Lisa Kaltenegger, a world-leading expert in modelling potential habitable worlds and their detectable spectral fingerprint. Her lecture titled ‘Searching for Alien Earths’ will be delivered around New Zealand in late March/early April 2024 and is detailed under Notices.    

The editorial in this month’s newsletter celebrates the 60th anniversary of the achievement of New Zealander Roy Kerr in determining an exact solution to Einstein’s field equations for rotating black holes. The article lists the various awards and prizes that have recognised Dr Kerr’s contribution and provides it with perspective by placing it within the timeline of discoveries associated with black holes.

Recently elected RASNZ’s Honorary Member, Professor Wayne Orchiston, has been awarded the American Astronomical Society’s prestigious LeRoy Doggett Prize for 2024. This has been given in recognition of his extensive contributions to astronomy over a career spanning six decades – see Notices for details. RASNZ’s hearty congratulations go out to Wayne as a worthy recipient.

Victoria Campbell, who is a lecturer at the Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy, a RASNZ Corporate Member, is leading an 18-month research project aimed at gathering information on the Māori astronomy knowledge systems and developing educational resources. Science Shorts provides more information on this.

For the last quarter of 2023, RASNZ is supporting two educational opportunities that are not only fun to participate in but can also be undertaken by anyone with an interest in astronomy. For a relatively small effort they deliver worthwhile and meaningful scientific outcomes. They are:

    1. A unique opportunity to participate in observing a new meteor shower predicted for 12th December by joining the meteor network operated by Fireballs Aotearoa and very ably led by Professor James Scott and his team. A number of RASNZ affiliated societies and RASNZ members are already a part of this well supported network. It offers an ideal way to enter amateur astronomical research and newcomers can either build their own cameras or buy them at a very reasonable cost. See page 17 of this newsletter for details.

    2. Continuation of the ‘Globe at Night Citizen Science Campaign’ to map the impact of light pollution on New Zealand’s abundant natural night skies which are currently under threat. We are particularly interested in measurements from cities and towns. Details are in the Notices.

The period 1-14 October 2023 offers the opportunity to celebrate ‘100 Hours of Astronomy’. This is being promoted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) with the 2023 theme… ‘One Planet’. Its aim is to create an experience that fosters a sense of unity, connection and togetherness among the public, and is detailed under Notices.

The year 2023 has been exceptionally popular for travel to a number of affiliated societies by RASNZ lecturers utilising RASNZ Gifford-Eiby grants. In addition, also utilising Gifford-Eiby grants, we had the Professor Wayne Orchiston lecture tour, as well as the Aurora lecture tour by Dr. Ian Griffin and team, to a number of affiliated societies. As a result, RASNZ's budget for the Gifford-Eiby grants for 2023, after being stretched as much as possible this year, has now been fully expended. Consequently, it is now closed for the rest of 2023. Grant applications will be accepted once again in 2024.

Looking forward to 2024, venue, travel and accommodation details for the popular RASNZ Annual Conference (24-26 May in Nelson) are provided under Notices.

Cognisant of our rapidly growing membership, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to those of you who support our volunteer-run organisation via membership and/or various contributions. These make the ongoing work of RASNZ possible and enable us to better deliver on our mission of promoting and supporting astronomy in New Zealand, a broad church that covers all aspects of astronomy serving all astronomers and the general public.

Clear Skies!

Nalayini Davies, FRASNZ, MSc (Astronomy)

President – Royal Astronomical Society of NZ

president@rasnz.org.nz