Three South Wairarapa residents have been honoured by the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand for their work which has helped create the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve.
The Society’s “Bright Star Award” recognises the work of the trio in achieving accreditation for Wairarapa as an international dark sky reserve, as a significant landmark in dark skies advocacy, and as a boost for astrotourism in NZ.
The trio are:
Viv Napier, chair of the dark sky group; Patron, Sir Maarten Wevers; Committee member and long-time amateur astronomer Tom Love.
The three winners were each awarded a trophy and a copy of “Bang! The Complete History Of The Universe” by Brian May, Patrick Moore, Chris Lintott and Hannah Wakeford
Dr Love has also been awarded the prestigious Murray Geddes Prize, a top honour from the Royal Astronomical Society New Zealand which recognises his nearly 30 years of active astronomical work which began in 1995 at Mt John Observatory in Tekapo, searching space for dark matter.
He is currently engaged in spectroscopy (analysing the colours of light of stars on a variety of astronomical objects) from his Martinborough backyard observatory, and in promoting amateur astronomical research nationally.
The Society’s citation for the trio notes that the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve “accreditation was the culmination of 5+ years of committed and ongoing work by a group of key volunteers of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Association.
“The accreditation journey was undertaken in an inclusive and thoughtful manner and has made a major contribution to the awareness and understanding of dark skies within governmental entities and the general public in NZ.”
“In addition, they plan to increase the size of the dark sky reserve … working with adjoining Councils which have shown serious interest in doing so.
“They have also contributed to supporting conservation of dark sky in NZ. For example, they provided useful inputs and supporting submission to RASNZ’s submission on the Natural Built and Environment Bill.”
Dr Love’s Murray Geddes Prize citation by RASNZ senior member Dr Ed Budding notes that “older society members may recall that Tom was involved with the early development of the MOA project when carrying out preparatory observations at Mt John,” in the mid-90s.
“I believe Tom, a keen RASNZ member, presents a great role model for the kind of ‘gentleman astronomer’ that is a speciality of the Society, and is surely welcome in the wider public that supports our science.
“He is, at present, studying for a Master’s degree in astronomy at University of South Queensland. He is an active member of the Wairarapa Dark Sky Association, and taking the main responsibility for preparing the Wairarapa Dark Sky Reserve application for the International Dark-Sky Association.
“He is a regular attendant at the monthly WAS (Wellington Astronomical Society) research group meetings, as well as convening an informal but regular meeting of Australia and New Zealand amateurs doing spectroscopy.”
The Murray Geddes Prize honours Geddes, first director of Wellington’s Carter Observatory in 1939, a naval Lieutenant Commander in World War 2 involved in radar development and a significant astronomer.
Geddes joined the New Zealand Astronomical Society in 1931, became President in 1940-41, Vice-President in 1942-43. He was a member of the British Astronomical Association, the Astronomical Society of France, and the American Meteor Society.
In 1932 his discovery of the famous comet that now bears his name brought him recognition by the astronomical world. For this discovery he was awarded the Comet Medal of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific (U.S.A.) and, in 1933, the Donovan Prize and Medal (Australia).
The Geddes Prize was presented to Dr Love by Alan Gilmore, long-standing NZ astronomer and Superintendent of Mount John Observatory.
Dr Love admitted he “was, very unusually, speechless when given the award at the RASNZ conference over King’s Birthday Weekend.
“Enormously surprised and delighted at the recognition from the society representing New Zealand’s professional and amateur astronomers.”
