Southern Stars THE JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND - Volume 59, No 1, 2020 March
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Southern Stars THE JOURNAL OF THE
ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY OF NEW ZEALAND
Volume 59, No 1, 2020 March ISSN Page 1
0049-1640
Southern Stars
Journal of the RASNZ
Royal Astronomical Society Volume 59, Number 1
of New Zealand (Inc.) 2020 March
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. CONTENTS
P O Box 3181, Wellington 6140, New Zealand New Zealand Space Pioneers
secretary@rasnz.org.nz http://www.rasnz.org.nz Gary Sparks............................................................. 3
Subscriptions (NZ$) for 2020:
RASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019 ............. 4
Ordinary member: $40.00
Student member: $20.00
Book Review
Affiliated society: $3.75 per member.
R W Evans ............................................................ 21
Minimum $75.00, Maximum $375.00
Corporate member: $200.00
Printed copies of Southern Stars (NZ$):
$35.00 (NZ)
$45.00 (Australia & South Pacific)
$50.00 (Rest of World)
FRONT COVER
Pam Kilmartin and Alan Gilmore with the McLellan
1 metre telescope at Mt John University Observatory.
Council & Officers 2018 to 2020 The telescope in the photo is set up for spectroscopy
President: (f/13) with the spotty baffle tube rather than their camera
Nicholas Rattenbury Auckland president@rasnz.org.nz (f/8) with a different baffle.
Photo: Fraser Gunn
Immediate Past President:
John Drummond Patutahi kiwiastronomer@gmail.com
BACK COVER
Vice President: The official first day cover for NZ Space Pioneers stamps
Steve Butler Invercargill urbanstars@rasnz.org.nz with the date stamp first day of issue. Pam and Alan’s
signatures are against the image of the Moon.
Executive Secretary:
John Drummond, Patutahi secretary@rasnz.org.nz
Treasurer:
Susan Shoebridge Auckland treasurer@rasnz.org.nz
Members’ Councillors:
Hinerangi Curtis Christchurch hinerangi@gmail.com
Bob Evans Invercargill bevans@xtra.co.nz
John Hearnshaw Christchurch john.b.hearnshaw@gmail.com
john.hearnshaw@canterbury.ac.nz
Glen Rowe Lower Hutt growe511@outlook.com
Affiliated Societies’ Councillors:
Nalayini Davies Auckland nbrito@vinstar.co.nz
Peter Jaquiery Dunedin peter.jaquiery@gmail.com
Fellows’ Councillor:
Karen Pollard Christchurch karen.pollard@canterbury.ac.nz
Page 2 Southern Stars
New Zealand Space Pioneers:- Gary Sparks
New Zealand Space Pioneers
Gary Sparks Conference Paper
The great New Zealander Sir Ernest Rutherford once said, “In science there is physics.
All else is stamp collecting.” I like science but I am not a physicist by any stretch of the
imagination so I guess that makes me a stamp collector. I collect only astronomy and
space stamps, thus giving my hobby the proper name of astrophilately.
My collection is quite extensive representing Alan Gilmore and Pam Kilmartin. Between
more than 150 countries, some which no longer them they have discovered a comet and a
exist, but I am always excited when New nova and established a programme for
Zealand Post releases an issue that is within tracking near-Earth asteroids and southern
my area of interest. Last year they released a comets from New Zealand. On top of
series of five stamps honouring famous New that they are two of the loveliest people
Zealand astronomers and space scientists. you could ever hope to meet. The $2.40
stamp features Charles Gifford, New
Zealand’s most outstanding astronomer in
the first half of the last century. Using his
background as a mathematics teacher, he
showed that the craters on the Moon were
caused by meteorite impacts. His legacy
is Wellington’s Gifford Observatory. The
$3.00 stamp honours Albert Jones, OBE,
one of the greatest visual observers of all
time. He made more visual brightness
estimates than anyone in history, more
than 500 000. The final stamp in the issue
features Sir William Pickering, ONZ KBE,
one of my favorite Kiwis. Along with
Figure 1: The cover.
James Van Allen, and German scientist
Designed by Hannah Fortune of NZ Post.
Wernher von Braun, he was part of the team
There is more to collecting however than that launched Explorer 1, the first American
simply buying the stamps. Each issue is satellite. He was Director of NASA’s Jet
available in what is called a presentation pack Propulsion Laboratory during the early
and includes much more than just the five years of unmanned space exploration.
stamps. The cover (Figure 1) and interior
design were done by Hannah Fortune of New An unexpected surprise in the presentation
Zealand Post. Inside of course are the stamps; pack was the inclusion of a series of lenticular
joined as a strip to show a rocket launching stamps that have a 3-D effect produced on
(Figure 2) and also an official first day cover a mini-sheet (Figure 4). Unfortunately you
with the date stamp first day of issue (Figure won’t be able to get the 3-D effect from this
3, back cover of this journal). image and unless you buy the presentation
pack you probably won’t see these stamps
The liner notes were written by Haritina at all. It is unlikely than many of these
Mogosanu from Space Place in Wellington holographic stamps will actually go in to
and include a brief biography of the people circulation. They are designed specifically
depicted on the stamps. The first is Beatrice for collectors.
Hill Tinsley who grew up in New Plymouth
before moving to the United States where she I was fortunate enough to acquire my
became a professor at Yale University. As a presentation pack just before the RASNZ
cosmologist she made great contributions Conference in New Plymouth last year. That
in the area of galaxy evolution and her 114 meant that I was able to meet Alan and Pam
papers are regularly cited today. An asteroid, and congratulate them on being honoured
a mountain and a prize that recognizes creative on one of the stamps. It also meant that I
and significant astronomical research are all could ask them to sign my first day cover.
named after her. The RASNZ Lecture Trust Look closely at the moon in Figure 3 (next
sponsors an annual lecture tour named in her page) and you will see their signatures. That
honour. The second stamp features a couple makes this presentation pack one of the Figure 2
of currently active New Zealand astronomers, highlights of my collection.
59, 1, 2020 March Page 3
RASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (Inc)
Annual Report of Council for 2019
President’s Report up into several roles, so that the workload can be shared
The year since the 2019 AGM has been yet another busy amongst several people, if necessary. The Society has
one for Council and I again thank all Council members been ably served by its Executive Secretaries in the
for their time, effort and energy. We have continued past, but Council has found it extremely difficult recently
to amend the Society Rules to accord with modern to elicit volunteers to take on the role. We hope that by
practices and practicalities. Reading back upon my last redefining the role that we may be able to encourage
report, I notice that one element of the Society that has two or three Members to take on these tasks. If you are
yet to be established is a Code of Conduct. My goal interested in serving your Society in this regard, please
during my remaining time on RASNZ Council will be to get in touch with Council.
continue to champion the implementation of a Code of
This year marked the first time that New Zealand Aotearoa
Conduct, mirroring other astronomical and scientific
has gifted a name to a star and planet system, through the
societies such as the International Astronomical Union,
IAU’s NameExoWorlds competition. The gas giant planet
the Royal Astronomical Society, the Astronomical Society
HD 137388b now sports the name kererū and orbits its
of Australia and the American Astronomical Society. I
orange host star, named karaka. I wish to extend my
urge all Members to read those Codes of Conduct and
special thanks to RASNZ Education Leader Carolle
consider what a Code of Conduct should include for our
Varughese and Te Pūnaha Ātea’s Catherine Qualtrough
Society, especially considering our status as a Member
for leading New Zealand’s naming competition.
Body of the Royal Society of New Zealand, with that
Society’s bicultural commitment. The Society was also proud to support a number of
astronomy meetings and gatherings, such as the New
The Society has updated its financial reporting software,
Zealand Starlight Conference in Tekapo. Our dark
leading to a more manageable workload for our Treasurer.
skies and commitment to a sustainable environment is
Similarly, our new Membership Manager role has been
a hallmark of New Zealand astronomy and showcasing
redefined to share the load associated with managing
our beautiful night skies is one of the joys of our hobby
our Membership.
and profession. As we enter into a new age in which the
The Society is currently seeking volunteers to take on finite resource of an unmarred night sky is under threat,
the Executive Secretary role. Council recognises that we have a duty as a Society to inform, educate and lead
the Executive Secretary role as it is currently defined the debate. I look forward to seeing how we as a Society
involves a significant amount of work for a single person. rises with this challenge.
We are looking at splitting the Executive Secretary tasks Nicholas Rattenbury
Figure 4: The mini-sheet of holographic stamps.
Page 4 Southern Stars
RASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
Treasurer’s Report Property Report
At the 2019 conference in New Plymouth Duncan Hall Library and Archive
stepped down as treasurer and I stepped up to the The Library and Archive are in the custody of the Archivist who
position. I am very grateful that Duncan had already had secured at extremely favourable rates a class room at Titahi
arranged for the roles of treasurer and membership to Bay North School for the storage and use by RASNZ. The
be separated so where as he had both jobs to tackle I Archivist also has in his custody two antique brass telescopes
have only had the treasurer position. I am not sure that of some value, one a 3” Cooke & Sons refractor (housed at
I could have coped with both roles as well as my own Carter Observatory) and the other a 3” Wray refractor. These
commitments and I am in awe of Duncan for coping as telescopes need to be independently valued for securing
well as he did. insurance.
Having said that, this current financial year has been In late 2018 the Archivist was advised that the classroom will
a fairly big one for myself and RASNZ as I undertook be demolished in May 2019. Consequently, the future of the
to put the accounting system onto the cloud based Society’s Library and Archive is uncertain. What is certain is
accounting system call Xero. The best option for us that there will need to be some money spent on either disposing
as on organisation was to re-enter all the information the books and papers, or shifting them to another storage
back to 1st January 2019 and has meant that we have facility.
good comparatives with the prior year. There are many
advantages to being with Xero as all the RASNZ bank The RASNZ Archive is now housed at the Wellington City
information is fed through to Xero on a daily basis. Archive. The collection of Dr Albert Jones material has been
This makes coding and reconciling very straightforward returned to the Nelson Museum.
and once all the reports are formatted, especially for
RASNZ, it will make for speedy reporting. Xero will give The RASNZ Library was moved and is stored in the Gun
RASNZ the confidence that the accounting system has Bunker under the Dominion Observatory. These books will be
been future proofed and will mean that the day to day offered to the RASNZ membership at the RASNZ conference
accounting can be performed by someone who has basic in May 2020.
accounting ability. The annual accounts will still require a
higher level of accounting ability. Astronomical Equipment
The Society retains ownership of equipment purchased by a
At the time of writing this report I have almost finished KT trust grant which covers more than 80% of the cost of the
compiling the annual financial statements and once they item. Items of this type include:
are audited will be ready for the 2020 AGM.
2011: Watec video camera and recorder. This equipment is
Finally I would like to add my thanks to all the patient used for Lunar and Minor Planet Occultations events by
members who have helped me with valuable RASNZ Skydome’s Graham Jones.
information. It has been a steep learning curve for me and 2015: MaximDL Software. This is used at Farm Cove
I am amazed at the wealth of knowledge the members Observatory which has a very high output of astronomical
have and their generosity in helping to educate me. papers and discoveries.
2015: Electronic focus equipment and software used by Carl
Susan Shoebridge Knight to be used for his very successful photometry project.
2015: 20 SQM Night Sky Light Meters one issued to each
Affiliated Society in NZ to record the Darkness of their Night
Membership Report Sky.
At the end of 2019 RASNZ membership totalled 206 2016: Electronic Focuser used by the Horowhenua
individuals of whom 16 were students who had been given Astronomical Society at their Observatory.
complimentary membership as part of the Students With A Gordon Hudson
Passion for Astronomy during 2018 or 2019, three Honorary
members and 16 members of long standing (more than 50 Standing Conference Committee Report
years membership). 2019 Conference
The 2019 RASNZ Conference was held in New Plymouth, 17th
Compared to 2018, total individual membership was down 6. – 19th May, at The Devon Hotel. The conference was hosted by
the New Plymouth Astronomical Society and formed part of that
In addition to individual members, as at the end of 2019, society’s centenary celebrations. The conference was followed
there were 19 societies affiliated to RASNZ (up/down from by the 13th Trans-Tasman Symposium on Occultations.
2018) and one corporate member, ASTRONZ Ltd, down one
from 2018. As well there were 19 institutions that pay for a There were 111 registered participants which included 10
subscription to Southern Stars. secondary school pupils who participated as ‘Students With
A Passion For Astronomy’ (SWAPA) which is designed to
Rory O’Keeffe foster interest in astronomy and introduce the RASNZ to
these students. There was also a single one-day registration.
59, 1, 2020 March Page 5
RASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
The post-conference occultation symposium attracted 20 Payments RASNZ Conference
participants. Venue hire & catering $13,659.10
RASNZ Council meeting and award 210.20
The conference programme included Professor Lisa Kewley Dinner 8,463.70
as invited speaker. Lisa is Associate Director at the Research Lisa Kewley travel/accommodation 1,892.75
School for Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Australian Stationery and sundries 811.25
National University College of Physical and Mathematical Excursion 420.00
Sciences. Lisa’s featured conference presentation was titled SWAPA travel/accommodation 3,097.26
‘All-sky astrophysics in 3D’ and showed how we track the Repayment RASNZ subsidy 2,000.00
matter and power sources in galaxies across 13 billion years of Total $30,554.26
cosmic time from the infant universe to the present-day Milky
Way. The talk highlighted the use of 3D spectroscopy and Payments TTSO13
gravitational lensing to understand the relationship between the Venue hire and catering $1,795.80
gas, star formation and supermassive black holes in galaxies. Total $1,795.80
Following a pōwhiri by Ngāti Te Whiti Hapū, New Plymouth RASNZ Conference surplus $2,143.10
Mayor Neil Holdom officially opened the conference on Friday
evening. Dr Nick Rattenbury then delivered the President’s TTSO13 surplus $212.20
Address before a time of socialising and refreshments. Dr
Roger Hanson was the Saturday evening after-dinner speaker The Standing Conference Committee’s Activities
and described the key events leading to the end of the Earth The Standing Conference Committee (SCC) met regularly
and the eventual demise of our Universe. during the year and worked with the New Plymouth
Astronomical Society Local Organising Committee (LOC)
In addition to the above speakers the programme consisted for the 2019 conference and with the Wellington Astronomical
of 21 talks by members of the Society and others, including Society LOC for the 2020 Conference.
SWAPA and university students on a wide range of topics
related to astronomy. A summary of the 2019 conference is presented elsewhere in
this report. The 2020 Conference will be held in Wellington,
The SCC would like to thank the conference’s hosting hosted by the Wellington Astronomical Society and will be
organisation for their efforts and support in ensuring the preceded by a half-day Dark Skies Workshop.
conference was an enjoyable and successful occasion. We
would also like to acknowledge the generosity of the following The SCC works closely with the LOC ensuring that they
sponsors: Astronz, Wells, The Devon Hotel and Mitre 10 Mega follow the guidelines that have been drawn up to ensure the
New Plymouth. successful organisation of each Conference, the highlight
of RASNZ’s annual activities. Assistance with drawing up
I would also like to take this opportunity of thanking the other a budget and registration form is also provided. The SCC
members of the SCC: Warwick Kissling, Orlon Petterson, operates the Conference bank account and manages all
Gordon Hudson and Gary Sparks for the work they have put financial transactions relating to the Conference. The SCC
into ensuring that the RASNZ conference is a success and calls for papers to be presented at the Conference and arranges
enjoyed by all who attend. the speaking programme.
The current SCC members are Warwick Kissling, Orlon
Petterson, Gordon Hudson, Gary Sparks and Glen Rowe. All,
except for Gary, will not be making themselves available to
2019 RASNZ Conference and 13th Trans-Tasman continue on the SCC following the 2020 Conference.
Symposium on Occultations (TTSO13)
Glen Rowe
Receipts RASNZ Conference
Subsidy from RASNZ Conference a/c $2,000.00 Annual General Meeting 2019
Sponsorships 1,700.00 The 96th Annual General Meeting of the Royal Astronomical
UC Foundation (SWAPA) 5,525.16 Society of New Zealand was held at The Devon Hotel in New
Registrations 15,124.00 Plymouth on Saturday 18th May 2019. It began at 4:00pm and
RASNZ Council meeting and award 210.20 concluded at 5:43pm.
Dinner 7,718.00
Excursion 420.00 There were 39 members present and 2 observers. The meeting
Total $32,697.36 was chaired by RASNZ President Nicholas Rattenbury and
the minute’s recorder was Jennie McCormick who was acting
Receipts TTSO13 in the absence of the RASNZ Executive Secretary, Gordon
Registrations $2,008.00 Hudson (due to illness).
Page 6 Southern Stars
RASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
Apologies were received and then a minute’s silence observed Having the conference recorded and later shown via YouTube
for deceased members who passed away since the last AGM: was raised. Council said that it would investigate it. Additional
Graham Kershaw and Paul Cain. discussion covered an annual NZ astronomy calendar, a new
logo/badge for the 100th anniversary, a more stringent process
The minutes of the 95th AGM were read and approved as a true for Kingdom-Tomlinson and Gifford-Eiby submissions,
and accurate record. Matters arising from these minutes were etc. Nicholas Rattenbury (Chair) stated he would take these
discussed. These included: suggestions to the RASNZ Council.
John Drummond
* Bob Evans reporting that the Society’s Journal, Southern
Stars, was being digitally uploaded to ADS (Astrophysical Council Activities
Data System). The complete set would soon be sent for The Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand Council
scanning – from Volume 1 (1934) until the present (March meets twice each year during the annual conference. In
2019). Nick Rattenbury told the meeting that Council decided addition, it conducts business by email throughout the rest of
that a six-month embargo would exist between publishing and the year.
uploading to ADS for current Southern Stars. At the highly successful 2019 RASNZ conference in New
* Treasurer Duncan Hall stated that he had investigated the Plymouth, the following awards were presented –
option of the RASNZ moving from a Tier 3 to Tier 4 charity
position. After careful consideration he deemed it best that the RASNZ Fellow Appointment: John Drummond (Gisborne)
Society stays in its present Tier 3 status. was elected a Fellow of the Society in recognition of his
services to astronomy and the Society. John’s appointment
Since this AGM was in an odd year – namely 2019, there was was mooted by Fellows John Hearnshaw, Steve Butler and
no election of officers. The next election of officers will occur Alan Gilmore.
in 2020. Murray Geddes Memorial Medal 2019: Antony Gomez
(Wellington) was the recipient of this year’s MG award. The
Duncan Hall presented the Treasurer’s report. He reported that citation mentioned Antony’s long service and motivational
the Society was financially healthy and that all accounts had leadership of the Wellington Astronomical Society.
been prepared using the Tier 3 accrual system. In addition,
Duncan moved that Ashton Wheelans in Christchurch be Earth and Sky Bright Star Award: Kyra Xavia was the
appointed as the RASNZ Auditor for the 2019 year. This was 2019 recipient due to her passion for astronomy and desire to
carried. popularise it.
The President’s Prize: President Nick Rattenbury awarded
Nick Rattenbury moved that John McKay be appointed for the Gordon Hudson (Titahi Bay) this award for his many years of
2019 year as the RASNZ Honorary Solicitor. This was carried. service to the Society and ongoing astronomical observations,
popularising of astronomy and services in the restoration of
John Drummond was elected as a new Fellow of the Society at antique telescopes.
the AGM. He was congratulated.
In addition, the following grant applications were granted
A lengthy time was spent making alterations to the Rules of the during the year –
Society – namely Rules 26, 38, 43, 49, 58, 58a, 58b, 75, and
82. Most of these changes were in the form of minor wording Kingdon-Tomlinson Trust Grants –
alterations. Glen Rowe advised that the new rule changes will • Gisborne Astronomical Society: $2,000 Kingdon-
be forwarded to the Incorporated Societies / Charities Services. Tomlinson grant was approved to help do up a lecture
He also advised that the RASNZ Council will be revising the room / observatory for the members to meet in since their
RASNZ By-Laws which are Council’s responsibility. The local observatory (the Cook Observatory on Kaiti Hill) was
Council will advise the members giving them time to comment demolished by the Gisborne District Council because it was
on the changes. Once this has been done, these too will be deemed an earthquake risk.
submitted to the Incorporated Societies / Charities Services. • Professor Wayne Orchiston: Council approved the
Nicholas Rattenbury also advised that all the new rule and Kingdon-Tomlinson application from Wayne Orchiston
By-Law changes will be sent out to all members once all the for $3,000 for travel to and within New Zealand in order to
documentation was complete. conduct research for his second volume on NZ astronomical
history and to give a talk at the 2020 conference (and at local
The 2020 100th anniversary conference in Wellington was societies) on the last 100 years of RASNZ astronomy.
discussed. The possibility of inviting prominent overseas
speakers – e.g. from the Royal Astronomical Society in Gifford-Eiby Memorial Lectureship Grants –
London, was raised. • Council approved the Gifford-Eiby application for $467
by the Horowhenua Astronomical Society for Peter Aldous to
In the General Business section, it was moved and carried that speak at the NZ astrophotography camp.
Susan Shoebridge be appointed as the new Society Treasurer. • Council approved the Gifford-Eiby application by the
Nick thanked Duncan Hall for the work he has done over the Hawkes Bay Astronomical Society to bring Grant Christie and
year. Jennie McCormick to give talks at the Central Star Party in
January 2020.
59, 1, 2020 March Page 7
RASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
Also, during 2019 the following appointments were made – Publications
• Susan Shoebridge was appointed as the RASNZ Treasurer Southern Stars
– after Duncan Hall stepped down. Four editions of the Society’s journal were again published for
• John Drummond was appointed as the new RASNZ the year. In 2019 there were 96 pages consisting of 14 papers,
Executive Secretary. 2 Reviews and 8 Reports.
• Vaughn Malkin was appointed as Director of the RASNZ
Space Weather Section. There was considerable interest in the few Conference
• A sub-committee was established to help affiliated Papers published. I encourage all presenters at the Society’s
societies apply for funding in order to celebrate RASNZ 100th Conferences to submit their papers for publication, so as to
anniversary events in 2020. reach an even wider audience.
John Drummond
During the year a complete collection of Southern Stars, from
Affiliated Societies Representatives’ Report 1934 to the present, was sent to the administrators of the SAO/
One of RASNZ’ more important activities is supporting NASA Astrophysics Data System in the USA. This is not
New Zealand’s astronomical societies. Societies have the yet available online, but we are in touch. Six months after
opportunity to affiliate with RASNZ which helps RASNZ each new issue, a pdf copy is forwarded to the ADS. We
keep in touch with societies through the Affiliated Societies are indebted to AstroNZ for standing the cost of shipping the
Representatives. Current representatives are Nalayini Davies printed copies to the USA and to the Auckland Astronomical
and Peter Jaquiery. They can be contacted using Society for providing many of the earlier editions.
. Bob Evans
The Gifford-Eiby Memorial Fund provides assistance to Affiliated Societies by funding The 2019 Beatrice Tinsley lecturer was Babak Tafreshi, the
transport for visiting speakers and tutors. During the 2019/2020 acclaimed night sky photographer and founder of TWAN,
year only two applications to the fund were approved. This is the World at Night, an international programme in which
a lower than usual number. During the coming year Societies photographers from around the world capture images of night
should seek opportunities to bring speakers from outside their skies as seen above notable landmarks of the planet. Babak
local area to speak to their members or lead practical workshops. was born in 1978 in Tehran, Iran, but he is now based in
Societies can make use of the list of speakers provided on the Boston, United States. He is frequently travelling anywhere
RASNZ web site to help on the planet, chasing stories and photographs from the Sahara
plan their speaking programme with assistance from the GE to the Himalayas or Antarctica. He is also a contributor to Sky
fund. & Telescope magazine, National Geographic, the European
Southern Observatory (ESO), and a board member of
2020 is RASNZ Centennial Year. As part of the centennial Astronomers Without Borders, an international organization to
celebrations RASNZ Council has authorised $500 for each bridge between cultures and connect people around the world
society to be used to hold public facing events celebrating through their common interest to astronomy. He received the
astronomy and raising the public profile of both the Society 2009 Lennart Nilsson Award, the world’s most recognized
holding the event and RASNZ. This initiative was started award for scientific photography, for his global contribution to
September 2019 and has already attracted seven event from night sky photography.
five different societies. Most of the early events were already
planned and didn’t require further funding, but were brought
under the RASNZ 100 Events banner to help the RASNZ
Centennial Year celebrations.
The Affiliated Societies Representatives have started putting
together documentation around safe use of laser pointers.
Material is being contributed by societies who already have
some related safety provisions in place and from Government
material. When the laser pointer documents are complete work
will start on a set of health and safety guidelines. Societies
may access this material at . This is a
work in progress and contributions are welcomed.
Affiliated Societies reps: Nalayini Davies, Peter Jaquiery
Babak Tafreshi
Page 8 Southern Stars
RASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
Babak Tafreshi came to New Zealand with his wife Shadi During the course of Babak Tafreshi’s Beatrice Hill Tinsley
Hamedi Azad and two-year old son, Aban. They arrived in lecture tour of 2019, several thousand New Zealanders were
Auckland on 9th October 2019. He gave ten lectures to affiliated enthralled to see his amazing night-sky images which combined
societies of RASNZ and he also was a keynote invited speaker science and art, by portraying the beauty of the night sky in a
at the Starlight Conference at Lake Tekapo on October 22nd. scientific context.
The affiliated societies were (in order) those in Auckland, The 2019 Beatrice Hill Tinsley lecture tour was more
Tauranga, Hamilton, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, expensive than normal, given that the Lecture Trust paid for
Dunedin, Wanganui and New Plymouth. After the Starlight economy class return air fares from Boston to Auckland for
Conference (October 20th-23rd) the Tafreshi family spent three both Babak and his wife and contributed also to a share of the
nights in Queenstown to relax before continuing the lecture air fare of Babak’s son. Expenses in 2019 for Babak Tafreshi’s
tour in Dunedin. lecture tour came to NZ$9219, of which NZ$7716 was for
international airfares from Boston to Auckland return.
Babak Tafreshi’s lectures were on the topic of the World at
Night. His talks took the audience on an adventurous journey At the end of 2019, the RASNZ Lecture Trust agreed to invite
to the world at night where the wonders of Earth and sky merge Professor Anna Scaife from the University of Manchester to
in photography. be Beatrice Tinsley lecturer for 2020. She was invited to visit
with her astronomer husband, Dr Rene Breton. Anna Scaife is a
“TWAN produce and present photographs and time- well-known radio-astronomer at Jodrell Bank who is involved
lapse videos of the world’s landmarks against the celestial with the SKA project. We also agreed that the 2021 Beatrice
attractions,” says Babak. “The familiar context of the images, Tinsley Lecturer would be Dr Lisa Kaltenegger from Cornell
which represent naked-eye views, add a new tool to efforts to University, and in April 2019 we invited her to be the 2021
popularize astronomy alongside images and science results lecturer. Both Anna Scaife and Lisa Kaltenegger accepted
from large telescopes. their respective invitations.
“The photos have been used by astronomy educators world- At the conclusion of the Babak Tafreshi lecture tour in
wide as they educate viewers on many fundamental aspects November 2018, Professor Richard Easther and Gary Sparks
of practical astronomy such as the natural look of sky, stepped down from serving on the Lecture Trust, and Simon
constellations, celestial motions, and sky events. Lowther and Dr Yvette Perrott were elected to serve as trustees.
The new board of trustees is as follows: Professor John
“With the images taken at important cultural sites around the Hearnshaw (Christchurch), chair; Peter Jaquiery (Dunedin),
world, the connection between our many cultures and the night treasurer; Simon Lowther (Auckland), secretary; Marilyn
sky through history is emphasized, particularly in images that Head (Wellington), Prof Sergei Gulyaev (Auckland), Dr Yvette
include ancient sites of astronomical importance.” Perrott (Wellington).
The RASNZ Lecture Trust Incorporated
Income and Expenditure for year ended 31 December 2019
Income 2019 2018 Expenditure 2019 2018
Bank Interest $10.50 $12.63 Bank fees $64.85 $119.40
Sponsor’s Grant $7,000.00 $6,000.00 Payments $9,218.73 $13,815.58
Total Income: $7,010.50 $6,012.63 Total Expenditure: $9,283.58 $13,934.98
Net Surplus/(Deficit) for the year -$2,273.08 -$7,922.35
Statement of Assets and Liabilities for the Year Ended 31 December 2019
Liabilities 2019 2018 Assets 2019 2018
Payments carried over $0.00 $5,323.78 Westpac 03 1750 0776013-00 $8,210.04 $10,483.12
Total Liabilities: $0.00 $5,323.78 Total Assets: $8,210.04 $10,483.12
Accumulated funds Tour related expenses: $9,218.73 $13,815.58
Start of year balance: $10,483.12 $18,405.47
Net Surplus / Deficit for the year: -$2,273.08 -$7,922.35
Liabilities: $0.00 $5,323.78
Year end equity: $8,210.04 $5,159.34
59, 1, 2020 March Page 9
RASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
Section Reports Member highlights
Variable Stars South Visual observers
During 2019 the section continued to be active in all aspects Our visual observers continued their important long term work
of variable star astronomy: visual, CCD, DSLR, PEP, of monitoring southern variables and providing early warning
spectroscopy, the analysis of measures where appropriate and of events to the professional community. Observations
the supply of these to other groups. were submitted to the International Database maintained by
AAVSO. These have been used in a number of papers in the
Newsletter VSS newsletter and elsewhere during the year.
Four quarterly newsletters were published with a total of 95
pages. Our editor, Phil Evans, continues to produce a quality Photoelectric Photometry
publication thanks to our members who contributed a total Carl Knight recorded numerous PEP J & H band observations
of 24 excellent articles. Special thanks to the small group of of Betelgeuse. Given the current behaviour of Betelgeuse
regular contributors. these have proven very important.
Website Transiting exoplanets
Webmaster David O’Driscoll reports that since 2019 the VSS Phil Evans continued to be active in exoplanet searches with
website has remained stable with limited amounts of new TESS (117 light curves) and KELT (56 light curves). Phil also
content being added but no major changes. The site consists co-operated with five individual professional astronomers on
of 219 pages of content and 627 media items including our 49 their own exoplanet work, mainly on Transit Time Variations
newsletters. Last year saw almost 11 thousand page views by of known exoplanets, but also on some preparatory work for
over 3400 visitors, providing almost 59 Gb of data. The VSS the European planet finder Ariel to launch in 2028. He will
Google Group discussion forum was well used throughout the keep VSS members informed of the Ariel team’s plans for
year. an open-access website, similar to ETD, for amateurs to post
transit observations.
The site continues to be the target of many attacks by rogue
elements on the internet, with almost 40 thousand invalid Photometry and spectroscopy of eclipsing binaries
logon attempts! Many attempts to create new user IDs are David Moriarty observed the binaries TW Crucis,
being managed each week, and David plans to implement V0638 Scorpii, IZ Telescopii, BC Gruis, RV Gruis and V Gruis.
slightly altered security settings in the near future to address For TW Cru and BC Gru the Observed-minus-Calculated
these attacks. (O‑C) diagrams show further evidence of period change than
in the papers he published in JAAVSO in 2015 and 2016.
The quarterly newsletters remain the most popular content,
closely followed by Bob Nelson’s software, and with notable The contact binary RV Gru also shows evidence of period
mentions of the Eta Carinae campaign and the DSLR change; its O-C diagram is complex. The spectral broadening
photometry tutorials. Mati Morel has been the most significant function values show that it is at least a triple system, and may
individual contributor of content to the site. be a quadruple system. More time will be required to analyse
it in more detail.
Our visitors come from Australia (2688 views), USA (1370),
New Zealand (874) and Germany (564) to name the most David spent a considerable amount of time analysing spectral
common locations. and photometric data of ST Cen and V775 Cen from the ANU
Wide Field Spectrograph on the 2.3 m telescope in preparation
I want to thank David for his continued excellent work. As a for publication of the results. Alexios Liakos modelled the
mainly on-line group the website is an essential component of binaries and determined their evolutionary status. Julian West
Variable Stars South. normalised and rectified spectra for spectral typing and for
calculating equivalent widths of spectral lines. David had to
Variable Stars News learn how to use splot in IRAF to deblend and calculate the
Alan Baldwin reports that publication of Variable Star news equivalent line widths. The ANU Wide Field Spectrograph did
items in the RASNZ Electronic Newsletter has continued. not have sufficient resolution to allow complete separation of
This newsletter, which is published monthly on the 20th Hα and Na I D lines of the binary components at quadrature
of the month, is distributed to RASNZ members, RASNZ phases, which resulted blending of lines.
Affiliated Societies and is also posted on the RASNZ website.
News items are often selected to draw attention to the VSS QZ Carinae Project
Newsletter, and are also drawn from the VSS Google Group Stan Walker completed the mammoth task of analysing all
and the AAVSO Monthly Newsletter. Some announcements available observations to produce the most extensive Observed-
of star outbursts or calls from observatories for particular Minus-Calculated Diagram to date of the massive double
observations are included. However the main vehicle for star binary system QZ Car. High quality time series observations
outburst announcements is now the VSS Google Group. by Greg Bolt and Mark Blackford revealed the shape of primary
and secondary eclipse light curves and duration of primary
Any members who have items of interest are invited to send a eclipse totality. These will be important for future light curve
paragraph to Alan Baldwin (address on VS website) by the 15th modelling to determine physical parameters of the stars in the
of the month. eclipsing pair. A paper titled “QZ Carinae—Orbit of the
Page 10 Southern StarsRASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
Two Binary Pairs” detailing these findings was submitted of an occultation of the star UCAC4 337-085505 by Lysithea,
to The Journal of the American Association of Variable Stars an 18km diameter satellite of Jupiter. It was the first occultation
Observers in December 2019 and published in January 2020. by Lysithea ever observed.
Further observations in coming years are required to extend the
O-C Diagram and accurately determine the orbital period of
the two pairs about their mutual center of gravity.
Southern Eclipsing Binaries Project
During 2019 VSS members Mark Blackford, Neil Butterworth,
Robert Jenkins and Tom Richards submitted 156 Time of
Minima measurements of 75 different eclipsing binary targets
to the SEB Project. Tom Richards is in the process of checking
and collating this data and preparing a manuscript for the Open
European Journal on Variable Stars.
Eta Carinae Photometric Campaign: 2019+2021 Publications
This new photometry project was initiated in late January Our member’s observations were used in numerous publications
2019 in response to a request from Prof. Augusto Damineli in 2019, with many being the results of Pro-Am collaborations.
(Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil). Since 2003 La Plata The following refereed journal papers were published during
Observatory has been intensively monitoring the bright the calendar year. VSS members (names in bold) co-authored
southern variable eta Carinae as it continues to brighten the following 7 publications:
after its minimum in the 1930 but it is now too bright for the
Butland, R. J.; Erdem, A.; Özkardeș, B.; Blackford, M. G.;
instruments at La Plata. Amateur photometrists with small
Sürgit, D.; Budding, E.; Demircan, O., Absolute parameters
(or stopped down) telescopes are ideally suited to continuing
of young stars: V454 Carinae, Monthly Notices of the Royal
this monitoring program as the companion star approaches
Astronomical Society, 482(2), p.2644-2652
periastron in February 2020.
Blane, D.; Blackford, M. G.; Budding, E.; Reed, P. A., New
The following plot shows V band measurements by Steve
light on R Arae, Information Bulletin on Variable Stars, No.
Kerr (red circles) and Mark Blackford (blue circles) recorded
6267, #1.
between February 26th and July 13th 2019. On the east coast
of Australia the later part of 2019 was not conducive to Richards, T.; Blackford, M.; Butterworth, N.; Crawford,
photometry due to bushfires and clouds. G.; Jenkins, R., Southern eclipsing binary minima and
light elements in 2018, Open European Journal on Variable
VSS member Dave Blane enjoyed more favourable conditions stars, 198, p. 1
in South Africa. Dave contributed numerous DSLR TG band
Blackford, M. G.; Erdem, A.; Sürgit, D.; Özkardeș,
observations (green circles) to the AAVSO International
B.; Budding, E.; Butland, R.; Demircan, O., Absolute
Database which closely correlate with V band photometry,
parameters of young stars: HX Velorum, Monthly Notices
as shown below. The prominent spike occurred just prior to
of the Royal Astronomical Society, 487(1), p.161-167
periastron.
Axelsen, R. A., A New Candidate delta Scuti Star in
Centaurus: HD 121191, The Journal of the American
Association of Variable Star Observers, 47(2), p. 173
Moriarty, D. J. W.; Liakos, A.; Drinkwater, M. J.; Mohit, A.;
Sweet, S. M.; West, J. F., Photometric and spectroscopic
monitoring, radial velocities and evolutionary status of
the chromospherically active, close eclipsing binaries
ST Centauri and V0775 Centauri, Astrophysics and Space
Science, 365(1)
Wellington Astronomical Society Research Astronomy Group
Wadhwa, S. S., Photometric Analysis of V633 Virginis,
(WAS-RAG)
The Journal of the American Association of Variable Star
Roland Idaczyk reports that WAS-RAG, which includes
Observers, 47(2), p. 138
several VSS members, is involved in occultation observations
(see Peter Graham’s recent success below), and variable star
Phil Evans was co-author on the following 11 publications:
observing, in particular eclipsing binaries. They have several
targets on their list, which are used to train up members and iron
Labadie-Bartz, J., et al., KELT-22Ab: A Massive, Short-
out any issues, hardware-related or procedural. They are also
Period Hot Jupiter Transiting a Near-solar Twin, The
trialling the use of occultation equipment for EB monitoring.
Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 240(1), article id.
Occultation
13, 17 pp. (2019).
Peter Graham reports that he made a positive video observation
59, 1, 2020 March Page 11RASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
Vanderspek, R., et al., TESS Discovery of an Ultra-short- Carl Knight was co-author on the following 2 publications:
period Planet around the Nearby M Dwarf LHS 3844, The
Baluev, R., et al., Homogeneously derived transit timings
Astrophysical Journal Letters, 871(2), article id. L24, 9 pp.
for 17 exoplanets and reassessed TTV trends for WASP-
(2019).
12 and WASP-4, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical
Society, 490(1), p.1294-1312
Gajdoš, P., et al., WASP-92, WASP-93, and WASP-118:
transit timing variations and long-term stability of the Sokova, I., et al., Results of the investigation of the asteroid
systems, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, (2121) Sevastopol based on photometric observations of
485(3), p.3580-3587 mutual phenomena, Planetary and Space, 175, p. 25-33.
Dawson, R., et al., TOI-216b and TOI-216 c: Two Warm,
Occultation Section
Large Exoplanets in or Slightly Wide of the 2:1 Orbital
Section Matters and Acknowledgments
Resonance, The Astronomical Journal, 158(2), article id. 65,
2019 has been a successful year for the RASNZ Occultation
13 pp. (2019).
Section with ongoing high levels of observational activity
yielding significant science results– some of these are
Johns, D., et al., KELT-23Ab: A Hot Jupiter Transiting a
highlighted below.
Near-solar Twin Close to the TESS and JWST Continuous
Viewing Zones, The Astronomical Journal, 158(2), article id.
As has always been the case, much of the effectiveness of
78, 14 pp. (2019).
the Section has been due to the substantial network of people
across New Zealand and Australia carrying out a range of roles
Rodriguez, J., et al., KELT-24b: A 5M J Planet on a 5.6 day
across the maintenance of the Section’s website, promotion
Well-aligned Orbit around the Young V = 8.3 F-star HD
of specific occultations and the processing of observational
93148, The Astronomical Journal, 158(5), article id. 197, 15
results.
pp. (2019).
The Director is indebted to a number of key members of the
Kossakowski, D., et al., TOI-150b and TOI-163b:
Section for the generous help and advice over the year. In
twotransiting hot Jupiters, one eccentric and one inflated,
particular:
revealed by TESS near and at the edge of the JWST CVZ,
• Murray Forbes for his efforts in the organisation
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 490(1),
of the TTSO13 meeting in New Plymouth and the
p.1094-1110
preparation and publication of the Section’s newsletter.
• Brian Loader for his coordination of double star
Davis, A, et al., TOI 564 b and TOI 905 b: Grazing and
lunar occultation observations from around the world and
Fully Transiting Hot Jupiters Discovered by TESS, eprint
lunar occultation generally from within New Zealand and
arXiv:1912.10186
assistance with a wide range of administrative matters.
• Dave Gault for his coordination of lunar occultation
Romy, R., et al., KELT-25b and KELT-26b: A Hot Jupiter
observations from Australia.
and a Substellar Companion Transiting Young A-stars
• Peter Litwiniuk and John Sunderland for the
Observed by TESS, eprint arXiv:1912.01017v1
considerable body of work required to maintain the
planetary occultation prediction pages on the Sections
Baluev, R., et al., Homogeneously derived transit timings
website.
for 17 exoplanets and reassessed TTV trends for WASP-
• John Homes and Dean Hooper for their
12 and WASP-4, Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical
contributions in updating the section’s website with
Society, 490(1), November 2019, Pages 1294–1312
planetary occultation results which is the main feedback
process for observers.
Mallonn, M., et al., Ephemeris refinement of 21 hot Jupiter
• All the members and observers across New Zealand
exoplanets with high timing uncertainties, A&A(622),
and Australia contributing to the advancement of
February 2019
occultation astronomy and supporting the Section.
Terry Bohlsen was co-author on the following 3 publications:
A number of changes of process were discussed and
implemented following the TTSO13 meeting in New
Nazé, Y., et al., Evolution of the disk of π Aqr: From near-
Plymouth.
disappearance to a strong maximum, New Astronomy, 73,
• With the backlog of unpublished asteroidal
article id. 101279.
occultations growing as the observation rates increase,
it was decided that there was little point in continuing
Teyssier, F., et al., Spectroscopic observations of symbiotic
with the Newsletter publishing in its previous forms. The
stars in 2018-Q4, Eruptive Stars Information Letter, 40,
current Newsletter structure arose at a point in time when
p. 4-75
positive observations were infrequent and special analysis
Nelson, T., et al., NuSTAR Detection of X-Rays Concurrent
was justified. With a total of 132 different positive events
with Gamma-Rays in the Nova V5855 Sgr, The Astrophysical
observed in 2019 (a record), this approach is no longer
Journal, 872(1), article id. 86, 8 pp. (2019).
sustainable. No other reporting region of the world goes
Page 12 Southern StarsRASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
to the trouble of preparing a dedicated analysis publication recent observational results, upcoming events and talks on
anymore, with simple webpages with links to results now some interesting developments with cameras and equipment.
the norm. A draft webpage structure was prepared within The programme for TTSO13 can be seen at http://www.
the Section’s website and has now been adopted and is occultations.org.nz/meetings/TTSO13/TTSO13.htm
currently in use for the current 2020 observing season. It
Planning is underway for TTSO14 to occur in Parkes, New
is proving much more effective at keeping observers up
South Wales, Australia in April 2020 in conjunction with the
to date with results. The more formal aspect of results as
NACAA Conference.
now part of the Occult software archive as has been the
case for a number of years and in the same manner as all
Observational Results
other reporting areas around the world.
Planetary Occultations
• Brian Loader is passing the baton for double star
Planetary occultation observing continues to be a strong focus
observations to Martin Unwin in a staged process.
for the section with 2019 being a very successful year with 132
positive planetary occultations observed – another record over
Publications
the 111 in 2018.
As outlined above, the Section’s newsletters have been
discontinued and replaced with a time webpage on the The Section continued support of the Lucky Star programme
website for the publication of asteroidal occultation results. through 2019 with a number of positive reports. These included
The newsletter sequence concludes with the observations for events involving:
2014 with later years only published on the website. The
observations for 2018 remain to be finalised. • The ringed centaur (10199) Chariklo,
• the TNO’s (145451) 2005 RM43, (523692) 2014
The Section also supports the international publication of the EZ51, (471143) Dziewanna and (278361) 2007 JJ43
Journal of Occultation Astronomy (JOA). Four issues were • the outer Jupiter satellite Lysithea and
published in 2019. The JOA publishing committee decided • the Trojan (1583) Antilochus.
that there should not be any restriction on who can access the
journal so there is no requirement anymore for a secure section Lunar Occultations
to the Section’s website. Over 2019, the section received observations for 750 stellar
lunar occultations – 650 disappearances against and 100
The Section seeks to promote the professional publication of reappearances. There were also six reports relating to the lunar
occultation science conducted by members. In 2019, papers occultation of Saturn. Five observers contributed to this pool
involving Section members were published as listed below: consisting of two from New Zealand and three in Australia.
This is a decrease in results from 2018 with two fewer observer.
A. R. Gomes-Júnior, et al (Including T. Barry, W. Hanna
No grazing occultations were reported in 2018.
and S. Kerr), The first observed stellar occultations by
the irregular satellite Phoebe (Saturn IX) and improved
Brian Loader has acted as the global coordinator for double
rotational period. MNRAS 492, 770-781.
star monitoring using lunar occultations receiving 52 reports
from across the world. This is a reduction from 2018.
M. Buie, et al (Including W. Hanna), Size and Shape
Constraints of (486958) Arrokoth From Stellar Occultations
Membership and Finance
, The Astronomical Journal, 159(4).
Formal membership contributions were received from eight
Loader B. et al - Lunar Occultation Observations of Double members.
Stars - Report #7 - JDSO 15(4), 2019 October 1. http://www.
jdso.org/volume15/number4/October2019_issue.pdf Set out below are the correct records for the section for 2019.
Item Amount
Dunham D.W., Dunham J.B., Broughton J., Preston S., Opening Bank Balance $6894.10
Frappa E., George T., Paver Mounts Allow Mapping Opening Paypal Balance $841.23
Elektra’s Profile from North Carolina, 2018 May 1- Journal TOTAL $7735.33
for Occultation Astronomy, 2019-1.
Payments for subscriptions and donations $509.73
Gault D., Herald D., All-Of-System Time Testing Using
Interest $6.96
Lunar Occultations - Journal for Occultation Astronomy
Web domain registration ($24.73)
2020-1.
Bank / Paypal Fees ($12.87)
Post box fee ($66.66)
Meetings
JOA Production Costs ($820.99)
TTSO13
The principal meeting conducted by the Section in 2019 was
Closing Bank Balance $7059.40
the Thirteenth Trans-Tasman Symposium on Occultations
Closing Paypal Balance $267.37
(TTSO13). This was conducted in conjunction with the 2019
TOTAL $7326.77
RASNZ Conference held in New Plymouth, New Zealand.
Surplus/(Loss) ($ 408.56)
TTSO13 saw approximately 20 attendees (one of the higher
attendances in recent years) catching up with discussions on
Mark Blackford
59, 1, 2020 March Page 13RASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
Space Weather Section lasted about 5 solar rotations. This caused two bright displays
Introduction to myself in September 2019, both visible as far north as Christchurch.
Firstly an introduction. I’m Vaughn, and I have the privilege
of taking on the directorship of the Space Weather Section Solar Cycle 25
from Damien McNamara. I got to know Damien via social The sun has an approximate 11 year cycle in the intensity of
media when I was part of a team talking about our attempts to its activity, the number of sunspots, solar flares, etc. We are
broadcast live space weather data as a student project. Damien currently at the quiet, transition point between cycles. However
was welcoming, sociable and enthusiastic about what we were there are now more frequent occurrences of sunspots bearing
doing. Damien is now directing his energies to a project close the magnetic signature that indicates we are coming out of
to his heart: the physiological and psychological effects of light solar minimum and heading into the next solar cycle. For solar
pollution and blue LED light, and I wish him the very best in observers and aurora watchers, this will be great news!
his new project.
The count of days with no sunspots in 2019 is 273 – the 4th
I’m usually a lunar and planetary observer, however the last few biggest total since 1849!
years I’ve spent more time running a web-based geomagnetic
observatory called Dunedin Aurora. This came out of my Poster presentations on S.T.E.V.E.
studies as an IT student and is basically a bunch of magnetic Michael Hunnekuhl and Elizabeth MacDonald have presented
sensors connected to computers, watching the Earth’s magnetic posters outlining research on an “auroral” phenomenon called
field for signs of an aurora. If that’s not enough, we also dabble STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement).
in a bit of empirical aurora forecasting using custom software This had previously been called a proton arc and is visually
processes solar imagery and data. observed as a moving “picket fence” structure. A number of
New Zealand astrophotographers and observers have regularly
2019 In Review caught this phenomenon on camera and contributed to the
Space weather activity research posters.
Even though 2019 was the height of solar minimum, there
were a total of 24 visual and photographic sightings of the STEVE is associated with a phenomena called a Sub-Aurora
aurora from southern New Zealand, compared to 39 sightings Ion Drift (SAID) – essentially a hot jet of ions powered by
in 2018. There was more geomagnetic action in the latter half geomagnetic sub-storms in the ionosphere. STEVE is
of 2019 due to a persistent and reoccurring coronal hole which associated with particularly strong SAIDs which can be seen
Page 14 Southern StarsRASNZ Annual Report of Council for 2019
closer to the equator than your usual aurora. The posters can to share, I have set up a repository with the Open Science
be found here: Framework. This website takes advantage of internet cloud-
based storage and workflows to enable folk to easily contribute
https://register-as.oma.be/esww16/contributions/public/S2- to projects. Very shortly I hope to reinstate the old Aurora
P1/S2-P1-02-HunnekuhlMichael/POSTER1_ESWW.pdf Section Circulars and make them available there.
https://register-as.oma.be/esww16/contributions/public/ There’s more information on the Space Weather section of the
S14-P1/S14-P1-05-HunnekuhlMichael/POSTER2_ESWW.pdf RASNZ website, so feel free to contact me if you’re interested
in being a contributor or have any questions.
Parker solar probe Vaughan Malkin
Launched in 2018 the Parker Solar Probe is performing well.
The probe is the first craft designed to fly through the solar
corona. Research papers published late 2019 based on the
probes data have described “switchbacks” in the magnetic field Astrophotography Section
of the solar wind, as well as a identifying the potential source 2019 was another great year for astrophotography here in New
of the “slow solar wind”. None of this was even known until Zealand, with more people than ever taking it up, thanks in
the Parker Solar Probe arrived at the sun. part to the accessibility of modern DSLR cameras and to the
extensive range of Astrophotography products that Astronz
GOES 16 now carries in stock. Images by local astrophotographers can
Part of the new generation of geostationary weather satellites, be seen in a variety of social media groups including the group
GOES 16 is now functioning as the new GOES East satellite. I run “Aotearoa Astrophotography” which can be found on
The GOES East and West satellites monitor the near Earth Facebook. The group is now over 7,000 members! A large
space environment including the magnetic field, and are proportion of them are resident New Zealanders or expat kiwis
important tools for local aurora watchers who watch for the that now reside overseas.
“Cloake Effect” (Named after NZ photographer Geoff Cloake) https://www.facebook.com/groups/AotearoaAstro/
a geomagnetic change usually shown by the GOES West Local content can also be found on the NZ Astronomers Yahoo
satellite that indicates an auroral display is about to appear. group as well.
http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/nzastronomers/
DISCOVR Back online.
h t t p s : / / w w w. s p a c e w e a t h e r l i v e . c o m / e n / n e w s / 2019 has also been a very busy year for myself personally.
view/405/20200302-welcome-back-dscovr Once again I organised the “New Zealand Astrophotography
The Deep Space Climate Observatory is back. DISCOVR is Competition” on behalf of the Auckland Astronomical Society
an important part of the satellite network that provides early and RASNZ. We had an excellent turnout this year, with a
warning of coronal mass ejections. June 2019 saw DISCOVR grand total of 247 entries. I’ve created a movie of all the entries
placed into safe mode due to anomalies in the attitude control in the competition that can be found on Youtube here .....
system. Engineers finally patched this in March 2020 and the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4MudbDqO2Y&t=74s
craft is back in operation. Whilst this was happening, solar
wind data from the venerable, 22 year old ACE satellite was Speaking of the New Zealand Astrophotography Competition,
used as a backup. I have to give hearty congratulations to this year’s trophy
Other Activities
Currently, the space weather section collates observations
from Monty Leventhal in Australia and a variety of solar data
from the Georgi Dobrovolski Solar Observatory in Auckland,
New Zealand. At Dunedin Aurora, we post 4-day alerts of
space weather conditions due to fast solar wind streams from
coronal holes. All data is posted to the RASNZ Space Weather
Facebook page.
You can collaborate with Space Weather @ RASNZ via Open
Science Framework!
The topic of space weather is wide ranging, and includes areas
such as solar observation, auroral photography, instrument
construction (Spectrohelioscope anyone?), building and using
magnetometers, radio astronomy and much more! Many of
these areas are easy to get into, cost very little, and can allow
you to create observations of true value.
If you have an interest in space weather and would love to
contribute, I’d be interested in hearing from you. If you have Deep Sky Winner. Centaurus A. 130 hours exposure.
solar observations for example, or other data/observations Rolf Wahl Olsen
59, 1, 2020 March Page 15You can also read
