The big NZ news of course this month is our general election. One of the election promises made by the majority National party is the creation of a Minister for Space. Naturally, RASNZ is more than eager to see this come to pass. And when it does what will this ministry’s vision be and what positive impact will it have on our professional and amateur astronomical communities? And will RASNZ be asked for input on how it will be shaped? We hope so and will stay tuned-in, ready to provide it.

The actual RASNZ news for this month is just as exciting and arises from the activities of our self-supporting groups with common interests that operate independently under the RASNZ umbrella, otherwise known as the RASNZ Sections.

• I am delighted to advise that a new Section has been accepted to operate within RASNZ and will be known as ‘Fireballs Aotearoa’ ( https://www.rasnz.org.nz/groups-and-sections/fireballs-aotearoa-1 ). It will be led by RASNZ member, Professor James Scott and supported by RASNZ members Jim Rowe (FRAS) and Bob Evans (FRASNZ). The current Comet and Meteor Section will be renamed Comet Section and its meteor activities merged with Fireballs Aotearoa Section. The Director of the current Comet and Meteor Section, John Drummond (FRANZ), will be an integral part of the Fireballs Aotearoa team focusing on supporting visual meteor observing. The integration of Fireballs Aotearoa within RASNZ is being supported by RASNZ Council members Peter Jaquiery and Nalayini Davies. Page 27 of this month’s Newsletter details how you can participate in the activities of this Section, whilst page 37 provides information for those interested in hosting a meteor camera.

• News coming from the recently appointed Director of RASNZ Astrophotography Section, Amit Kamble, also indicates a positive trend. The New Zealand Astrophotography Competition which RASNZ runs in partnership with its Affiliated Society, Auckland Astronomical Society, has received a record breaking 566 entries this year. The previous record was 316 entries in 2022. This makes for a growth in entries over the year of 79%! Entries are currently being judged and we’ll bring you details of the winners in our next Newsletter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMfvWimqOFQ&list=PLVruSxEKlAVO7DaPmh39BkZ9WMG_-ntPn&ab_channel=AucklandAstronomicalSociety

We are also pleased to advise that Hamish Barker, a RASNZ member and amateur astronomer, is a co-author of an article published in the prestigious scientific journal, Nature. Further details on this are to be found on page 14 of this month’s Newsletter.

Given the increased level of activities at RASNZ and the active and very regular engagement with our 22 Affiliated Societies, we have appointed Emma Fairweather as RASNZ Affiliated Societies Secretary. In addition, to support and supplement the work of Gordon Hudson, our long serving and committed Property Officer and Archivist, we have appointed Chris Monigatti, as our Joint Property Officer and Joint Archivist.

It’s hard to believe but once again it’s that time of the year when we start calling for nominations leading to our 2024 AGM. These nominations relate to:

• RASNZ Council Executive Positions of President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer and Councillors – see page 33 of this month’s Newsletter for details

• Affiliated Societies Representatives to RASNZ Council – see page 34 of this month’s Newsletter for details

• Fellows Representative to RASNZ Council – see page 34 of this month’s Newsletter for details

• Murray Geddes Memorial Prize -see page 35 of this month’s Newsletter for details

• Bright Star Award – see page 35 of this month’s Newsletter for details

• RASNZ Fellow – see page 33 of this month’s Newsletter for details

We particularly look forward to having fresh ideas and energy on our Council to be formed in 2024 as well as being able to recognise and honour those who have contributed to astronomy in New Zealand. So please, we ask you all to think deeply then respond to our calls for nominations as appropriate. We look forward to hearing from you.

Clear Skies!

Nalayini Davies, FRASNZ, MSc (Astronomy)

President – Royal Astronomical Society of NZ

president@rasnz.org.nz