As a member, you're able to get involved with the various astronomy-related things that other members help arrange. Below are some of the things you can do, and how to do them.
If you'd like to join the Wellington Astronomical Society, please click here.
We have the following telescopes available for hire to members:
Please note that due to the nature and expense of the equipment involved, we impose several rules for telescope rentals:
Current WAS members can borrow telescopes from the Society for a period of up to three calendar months.
Telescopes can be booked by contacting Chris Mongatti.
Upon collection of the telescope, payment of a deposit of $20 is required. The deposit will be returned if the telescope is returned undamaged, with nothing missing, and on time.
Telescopes must be returned at the end of three months (or earlier). The borrower should contact Chris Mongatti at this time to arrange return of the telescope. A grace period of one week is permitted for this.
Late returns beyond the period of grace, or damage to the telescope, will incur loss of the $20 deposit.
The telescopes are valuable assets, and borrowers are expected to treat them carefully.
The telescopes are for the benefit of all WAS members. These rules are designed to ensure that as many members as possible have access to the telecopes.
Members hold organised group observing parties about three times a month at different locations around the Wellington region. Some nights are subject to bad weather, but usually the others make up for it.
Each month, we usually hold a star party at our dark site observatory at Murphy's Road, Pauatahanui . The date of this event can be found in the newsletter, or elsewhere on this site.
Because the details sometimes change and often the weather is unpredictible, please feel welcome to contact us if you're planning on coming along.
Astronomical events like meteor showers and occultations don't usually fit in with our schedule, so we sometimes arrange other events on nights that aren't Saturday. Please keep an eye on the newsletter.
Several members have also arranged their own local observing groups, which help people living nearby each other get together informally to do observing, and essentially enjoy themselves. Presently there are observing groups in:
The observing groups are organised and run completely on the initiative of the people involved in them, although astronomical society resources are available within reason. If you'd like to get involved with a group in your area, please ask the contact person of the specific group for more information. Participating in observing groups is a very good way to meet other astronomers who live nearby.
If there isn't a group in your area and you'd like to start one, there are several ways you can let everyone know about it. You can contact the newsletter editor and have an announcement of the group printed in the next newsletter. You can arrange to announce the group at an upcoming society meeting. You should also have it announced and documented on the website and announcements email list.
You're also encouraged to use the observatories at other times once you've been trained to do so. If you are interested in learning to use the observatory telescopes, please contact Chris Monigatti on 021 890 222 for the Pauatahanui observatory.
We are now assisting Carter Observatory by providing volunteers for their public nights, to support the Carter staff. This will include some training on using the Carter telescopes. If you are interested, please contact Gordon Hudson, our President who can place you on the volunteers list, and will also bend your ear on what will be expected of you.
Several of the local observing groups also have their own mailing lists for group communication. If you'd like more information about getting involved in a group in your area, please ask the specific observing group contact person for more information.
We have a growing collection of astronomy-related newsletters, magazines and other space-related media from which members can borrow. The library is open during meetings. Please contact the librarian for more information.
Eleven times a year, members receive a newsletter from the society, courtesy of their mailbox. The newsletter is full of articles by members, and developing news about the society in general.
Letters, tips, and small articles are welcome for publication. The deadline for submissions is the 12th of the month, and it's sent around 10 days before meetings.
Contributions by email are preferred, sent to the newsletter editor. If this is not possible, they can be mailed to The Editor, Wellington Astronomical Society, PO Box 3126, Wellington.
Publication is at the discretion of the editor, but every effort will be made to include submissions.