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:

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 2012 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.

President	Secretary	Treasurer	Membership Secretary
Publicity Officer	Southern Stars Editor	Email Newsletter Editor	Conference committee

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.