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Teaching Astronomy in New Zealand: The Ward Observatory

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 April 2016

Christopher T. Harper
Christopher T. Harper*
Affiliation:
Ward Observatory, Wanganui, New Zealand

Extract

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New Zealand is a self-governed, independent nation, a member of the British Commonwealth, and a major center of Polynesian culture in the south Pacific. The country’s two main islands lie between 34° and 47° south latitude, which places New Zealand south of many well known southern observing sites such as Sydney (Australia), Cape Town (South Africa), and Cordoba (Argentina).

The population of 3.5 million people inhabit a country slightly larger than the United Kingdom. The astronomical interests of this small population are nourished by no less than 25 local and regional astronomical societies. Amateur astronomers are active in New Zealand. The Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand coordinates national interests and hosts international activities.

Type
11. Popularization
Information
International Astronomical Union Colloquium , Volume 105: The Teaching of Astronomy , 1990 , pp. 354 - 357
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1990

References

1. Blow, Graham L. “Astronomy in New Zealand.” Sky and Telescope 63 (June, 1982), p. 555. See also Sky and Telescope 63, p. 612.Google Scholar
2. The RASNZ publishes a quarterly journal Southern Stars containing reports and articles of interest to New Zealand astronomers.Google Scholar
3. Elsdon, Best (1922), Astronomical Knowledge of the Maori. Dominion Museum publications, Wellington, New Zealand.Google Scholar
4. The Carter Observatory Astronomical Handbook for New Zealand observers is available from Carter Observatory, P.O. Box 2909, Wellington 1, New Zealand.Google Scholar
5. Jeffers, H.M. et al. (1963). Index Catalogue of Visual Double Stars, 1961.0. Lick Observatory.Google Scholar