
Ian Cooper (President)
Ian lives at Glen Oroua on the Manawatu plains between Palmerston North and the coast. He has been an active amateur astronomer for nearly 40 years.
His interests are in deep-sky observing, astrophotography, comet and aurorae observing.
Ian has been involved in public out-reach, and in-house astronomy training for beginners for nearly four decades.
He has been a member of T.P.A.S., and a Council member for ten years including the position of Vice President. Ian is the president of the Palmerston North Astronomical Society, and a founding member and past president of the Foxton Beach Astronomical Society. Ian has been the North Island Coordinator of the Aurora & Solar Section of the R.A.S.N.Z. since 1993. I am the co-author of the “Night Sky Observer’s Guide, Vol III, The Southern Section.”
email: president@astronomynz.org.nz
Ian lives at Glen Oroua on the Manawatu plains between Palmerston North and the coast. He has been an active amateur astronomer for nearly 40 years.
His interests are in deep-sky observing, astrophotography, comet and aurorae observing.
Ian has been involved in public out-reach, and in-house astronomy training for beginners for nearly four decades.
He has been a member of T.P.A.S., and a Council member for ten years including the position of Vice President. Ian is the president of the Palmerston North Astronomical Society, and a founding member and past president of the Foxton Beach Astronomical Society. Ian has been the North Island Coordinator of the Aurora & Solar Section of the R.A.S.N.Z. since 1993. I am the co-author of the “Night Sky Observer’s Guide, Vol III, The Southern Section.”
email: president@astronomynz.org.nz


Marilyn Briggs (General Councillor)
email: phoenix@astronomynz.org.nz |

Richard Hall (General Councillor)
For the past 30 years, Richard Hall has been a dedicated promoter of astronomy in New Zealand, serving on committees and as President of several astronomical societies. He was the founding President of the Phoenix Astronomical Society (TPAS), which was formed in December 1997. During his term TPAS grew to be the second largest astronomical society in New Zealand. This phenomenal growth in membership in such a short time is a tribute to Richard and other dedicated members of the Society in the promotion of and education about astronomy, by making it readily accessible to the wider public community.
Richard has been the motivating driving force behind the Society building a first rate recreational observatory and clubrooms in the Wairarapa; the publication of the New Zealand Almanac (11th edition pending); the staging of annual astronomical gatherings such as Stardate in the Hawkes Bay and the Winter Astrocamp in the Wairarapa, with 100-150 members from the general public and astronomical community regularly participating; a planned research observatory in the Wairarapa housing a 60cm research telescope currently under construction; and construction and management of Stonehenge Aotearoa. He has currently co-authored Work of the Gods: a book on Maori astronomy; How to Gaze at the Southern Stars; Stonehenge Aotearoa, the complete Guide; and an Alpha series publication on Stonehenge Aotearoa.
Richard has established a reputation over many years as an enthusiastic, inspirational speaker, not only informing but also making astronomy exciting to all levels of the general public.
email: phoenix@astronomynz.org.nz
For the past 30 years, Richard Hall has been a dedicated promoter of astronomy in New Zealand, serving on committees and as President of several astronomical societies. He was the founding President of the Phoenix Astronomical Society (TPAS), which was formed in December 1997. During his term TPAS grew to be the second largest astronomical society in New Zealand. This phenomenal growth in membership in such a short time is a tribute to Richard and other dedicated members of the Society in the promotion of and education about astronomy, by making it readily accessible to the wider public community.
Richard has been the motivating driving force behind the Society building a first rate recreational observatory and clubrooms in the Wairarapa; the publication of the New Zealand Almanac (11th edition pending); the staging of annual astronomical gatherings such as Stardate in the Hawkes Bay and the Winter Astrocamp in the Wairarapa, with 100-150 members from the general public and astronomical community regularly participating; a planned research observatory in the Wairarapa housing a 60cm research telescope currently under construction; and construction and management of Stonehenge Aotearoa. He has currently co-authored Work of the Gods: a book on Maori astronomy; How to Gaze at the Southern Stars; Stonehenge Aotearoa, the complete Guide; and an Alpha series publication on Stonehenge Aotearoa.
Richard has established a reputation over many years as an enthusiastic, inspirational speaker, not only informing but also making astronomy exciting to all levels of the general public.
email: phoenix@astronomynz.org.nz
Last updated 22/04/21