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| Preface to the First Edition | View |
| Preface to the Second Edition | View |
| Journals of the Society | View |
| In the Beginning | View |
| Society Members | View |
| In Quest of an Observatory | View |
| Public Displays | View |
| The Blackwell Donation | View |
| The Site At Last | View |
| Building the Observatory | View |
| The New World of the Zeiss | View |
| People and Events | View |
| The Matauri Bay Solar Eclipse | View |
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The New World of the Zeiss
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The Auckland Observatory was opened by the then Governor General, Brigadier, Sir Bernard Fergusson, on March 21st, 1967. The foundation plate records its donation by the Edith Winstone Blackwell Foundation. The trustees in 1966 were: A S Partridge, W A Fairclough, J B L Morris, J H Blackwell, E C Winstone, F W Milne, C A Corban and J M Hardcastle. Secretary was R A McIntosh.
W S G Walker, President 1971-72
In 1967, the Society moved its headquarters from the Sunday School Union Building in Queen Street to the Auckland Observatory in One Tree Hill Domain. At this time, there were about 90 members of whom a half-dozen were juniors.
Everyone was very keen to get to grips with the business of running an Observatory, but there were many conflicting opinions of the best way this should be done. The limited number of keys was also a problem and one can remember several members observing an eclipse of the moon from the car park, being unable to obtain access to Observatory. Most of these things were sorted out quickly and by mid-1967 the Society had become firmly settled in its new home.
The important business of aligning the Zeiss telescope had been completed by Trevor Rounthwaite, after many hours of patient observations. The equipment was all checked out and the first to use the telescope was Ron McIntosh, who took a series of photographs of the moon. Other people used the instrument when permitted, but there was at this stage an understandable, if incorrect, feeling that this large instrument was too difficult for most Society members to manage.
The only serious observers at this time in Auckland were John Orr, who made a few variable star observations each month and Ron Welch, who was timing satellite transits. A number of other members were keen observers, but they lacked any common purpose and did very little with their observations. Even so, there were some people who were familiar with the operation of moderate sized telescopes and the completion of the Observatory caused, almost overnight, a complete change of the astronomical scene in Auckland.
In the field of observational research, the Society has probably achieved more in the last five years than in the previous forty-five. Credit for a large part of this must go, not to the present active observers, but to older Society members who guided the Observing Committee, set up shortly after the Observatory was opened, in its first attempts to encourage a level of astronomy worthy of the instrument which had been made possible by the efforts of these earlier members.
A particular source of inspiration was Ronald McIntosh, who although not as active as during the 1950's, when his research work was recognised around the world, suggested areas in which useful research could be conducted. These discussions, and his support and encouragement as a Director of the Observatory, enabled the newly formed Committee to get away to a good start in the right field.
The Observing Committee was set up by the Council of the Society in 1967, after an inaugural meeting of Graham Loftus, Brian Marino, Deryk Fisher and Stan Walker, at which Graham Loftus recommended that variable star work be our main activity. Following hard on similar comments by Ron McIntosh and Frank Bateson, this area of research was agreed upon.
The group was away to a flying start, and soon several hundred observations were being made each month and sent to the Variable Star Section of the RASNZ. After the initial surge of widespread enthusiasm, a hard core of regular observers formed, and almost all of these who survived the first six months are still active observers, although some have progressed to more elaborate instruments than their small telescopes.
The first major programme was on the flare star UV Ceti in October, 1967. Possibly the less said about this the better as far as useful results were concerned. Nevertheless it was great fun for all and fond memories of the good old days of eyeball photometry still remain.
After the Whakatane meeting of the RASNZ in November, 1967 the Society attracted a planetary enthusiast, Tom Richards. Variable stars had a serious rival and time on the Zeiss had to be shared with keen observers drawing Jupiter's markings and making transit timings. Good natured arguments on the merits of the respective areas of research continued during 1968, but were prematurely resolved by Tom's decision to accept a lecturing post in Australia early in 1969, much to our regret.
A new interest was introduced during this period - the observation of grazing occultations. The initial two, at Remuera and Glorit, were both well organised by Andrew Goodfellow and Tom Richards. Since then, two more have taken place at Hobsonville and Naike under the direction of Deryk Fisher and Tony Messenger. In addition to yielding useful information, these are highly enjoyable group outings and it is a pity that suitable grazes are rather rare. Auckland's rather capricious weather seems to smile on these, and all four grazes to date have been observed in cloudless skies.
In 1968 research into photo-electric techniques was instigated and with the collaboration of Dr Robert White and Alec Chisholm of the University of Auckland a start on this type of observation was made in 1969. Technical advice on electronic design came from Clive Rowe of Canterbury; the photometer itself being built by Harry Williams. Prior to getting the machine into operation, a visit from Bob Evans and Stefan Mochnacki, complete with the Canterbury Astronomical Society photometer, allowed us to see and to operate a functioning system. The doubters were converted and such was the enthusiasm that our own machine was in operation shortly thereafter.
And so we have reached the present state; where observers don't look at stars any more but watch numbers on a machine; where discussions on variable star observing are faced with such esoteric terms as air-mass, primary and secondary extinction co-efficients, colour indices and correction, and where the data is not understandable until it has been subjected to long and involved computer reductions.
Some have said that this type of astronomy is hardly amateur but the enjoyment is still there and the rules of the game seem no more complex in 1972 than in 1922.
This photo-electric equipment is capable of detecting differences in intensity of 0.01 magnitudes (or differences of about 1%) - less, if used properly in good conditions. Its use since 1969 has enabled many Society members to carry out research programmes at a professional level, the results of this research have been published and circulated throughout the world.
Without, we hope, overlooking anyone, mention should be made of the Sequence Determination programme for variable star charts operated by Barry Menzies and Peter Gordon; observations of flare stars by large teams of Society members; observations of dwarf novae and eclipsing binaries by Marino and Walker; and research on AI Velorum stars by Grant Christie and Roger Feasey; in all cases with splendid assistance from many other Society members who have become capable operators of the equipment in their own right. Amongst these assistants are a number of keen and skilful women members.
Research papers and general articles have been published in the International Astronomical Union Circulars, Southern Stars, the RASNZ VSS Circulars, etc, and observations have formed part of many other papers in various publications.
The concentration upon photo-electric research has resulted in a slight falling off of the numbers of visual observers, but those members engaged in this area are now highly experienced and more then make up for their fewer numbers by their greater individual observing totals. Dick Hull does a fine job in processing all the observations, assisted latterly by Mrs Daphne Paterson who looks after urgent observations of certain stars for the section.
A major problem facing new observers is the lack of suitable telescopes and graded charts to enable the art of observing to be learned. Various attempts had been made to solve the problem of lack telescopes in the past, but without conspicuous success. A prolific builder of small telescopes, Graham Loftus, has now graduated to larger instruments, but by his efforts a number of other members have been encouraged to complete high quality telescopes of modest aperture. Roy Thompson has also helped by building telescopes for members, and a much larger number of members now have reasonable instruments, either acquired in the manner above, or by purchase of one of the commercially made three inch refractors or four inch reflectors now readily available. We hope that these members may soon begin to participate in the various fields of serious but enjoyable research open to amateurs.
No summary of observational research during the past five years is complete without reference to the patrol photography carried out by Ron Welch and Barrie Ward. Welch initially discovered two important variable stars in 1969, a nova in Sagittarius and an unusual red variable in Crux (now known as BH Crucis). Ward has discovered several variable stars also, and using Ward's photographs Welch has now found approximately twenty new variable stars. When the variable stars discovered in the Sequence Programme and in the red star programme are added, we find that about 50 new variables, mostly unclassified, have been found by observers in Auckland.
Photographic programmes on other spectacular objects have been carried out by Ward, Loftus and Orr and their results are of generally high quality.
The Society as a whole has prospered since 1967 but there have been some problems. Most of these are associated with the operation of the Observatory without adequate financial backing. This has taxed the manpower resources of the Society to the limit at times but indications are that the most difficult period is now past.
Due in large part to the objections of certain members of the Society to the Council's spending a large amount of time on the running of the Observatory, the Trustees appointed Directors who carried out this responsibility. The lack of a sufficient number of capable people during the early years sometimes meant that the Directors and Council found themselves moving in different directions. But after five years the initial setting up problems have been overcome and we find that the operation of the Observatory can be looked upon as an integral part of the successful activities of New Zealand's largest regional Society. The work done at the Auckland Observatory is receiving widespread attention and, in spite of relatively poor weather conditions, the output of observations is at least as great as any other observatory in New Zealand.
A feature of the last few years has been the great influx of new members, especially from visitors on public nights. Not all remain after the initial enthusiasm cools, but I believe that the Society at this moment is stronger than at any time previously. A great deal of reorganisation has taken place in the last two or three years, aimed at setting up a structure wherein every member, no matter what his interest, may find enjoyment. All members, be they beginners or advanced, armchair astronomers or enthusiastic observers must receive the same consideration, and although at times during the last few years this may not have been the case, there are now enough capable members within the Society to be able to see that these needs are fulfilled.
The changes made during this year should become noticeable in 1973. A strong Council will be able to devote more time to the members of the Society, without too much time being taken up with either observational or Observatory problems. The recently appointed Council sub-committee, ACOR (Auckland Council for Observing and Research), will encourage and organise all observational work in Auckland , whether by giving assistance to the new-comer to astronomy or by advising on advanced research programmes. The directors of the Observatory have planned certain new activities for the coming year which should largely solve financial problems, at least in the immediate future, and the continued co-operation of the Directors and ACOR with the council of the Society should see even more spectacular progress during the next five years.
In this year of our Jubilee we extended an invitation to the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand to hold its Annual Conference in Auckland. This event takes place on December 1st-3rd and will conclude two weeks of Jubilee Celebrations. It looks certain to be the most successful Astronomical Conference to date in this country. The extent of astronomical progress, not only in Auckland but elsewhere in New Zealand can be gauged by the number of papers presented in 1972 (21 papers by 18 authors) as against the 3 papers by 3 authors in 1969. Something like 60 visitors will travel from as far afield as Dunedin, and a like number of local members will attend. Provided we are all endowed with plenty of stamina it should be a memorable climax to our Jubilee year.
We should, however, appreciate the true significance of this meeting. Rather than a conference of one society, or even of two societies, it is a conference of all people in this country who are interested in astronomy, and current research in New Zealand. Whilst this may be the only time many of these people meet each year, the active researchers and many others are in constant touch with one another and help each other with advice, with joint observation, or by constructing or designing specific items of equipment. Some part of the success story in Auckland since the opening of the Observatory is due not only to our own Society members who battled for many years to make the Auckland Observatory a reality, but to generous people throughout the country (and overseas) who have not hesitated to help us, often at considerable personal inconvenience. Frank Bateson, Norman Rumsey and Clive Rowe must be named, but space precludes other individual acknowledgment.
The local scene promises much as far as large telescopes are concerned in the near future. The 12 inch Maksutov generously donated to the Society by John Orr is being erected at Manurewa with the help of the Manurewa Lions [this project failed by 1977], the 21 inch Harry Williams Dall-Kirkham is near completion and a 42 cm Richey-Cretien with optics by Gary Nankivell of Wellington should be in operation at Albany in 1973 [this project was abandoned by 1975]. One or more of these telescopes will have photo-electric accessories and all will be capable of high quality work. Barrie Ward and Peter Gordon will be extending their photographic installations and there will then be a considerably increased potential for serious research in Auckland.
A similar development of equipment is taking place throughout New Zealand. There is no doubt that the country is on the threshold of a great surge forward astronomically. The need for national co-operation is urgent - one hopes that within the next year or two a workable basis for this is forthcoming.
In his address to the 1971 Annual Conference, the retiring President of the RASNZ, Professor John Mackie, stressed the need for a national observatory with a greater degree of national co-operation. Many other people, including several very prominent astronomers, have suggested a greater degree of collaboration on research within this country, and have also recommended joint programmes with observatories in other southern countries.
On a society level, the RASNZ have set up a body to investigate the possibility of forming a national society. The initial report of the body is comprehensive and may, with appropriate modifications, provide a workable basis upon which such a society could be formed. There is no doubt in my own mind that a strong national society is essential, and the Auckland Society should work toward this objective, provided always that the interests of its own local members are adequately safeguarded. This will not be achieved overnight, but it will be unfortunate if some form of national society, with regional centres, is not operating within five years [it never proceeded].
Purely through chance it has been my honour to be President of the Society in its 50th Jubilee year. After many difficult years the Society has at last obtained a permanent home together with a large modern telescope, not through the work of either the present Council or myself, but through the efforts of a large number of people, many of whom are no longer with us. Whilst enjoying the festivities which will commemorate this Jubilee year, the Council and I hope you will remember these earlier members and visit the display at the Observatory, which depicts some of the history of the Society.
To conclude, may you enjoy this Jubilee and may the next half century be as productive as the first fifty years.
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