Whakatane Astronomical Society

The Whakatane Astronomical Society runs a small observatory in the Whakatāne District on New Zealand's North Island, where volunteer members have been sharing the night sky with the public for more than six decades.

About Whakatane Astronomical Society

Whakatane Astronomical Society is a voluntary, non-profit society for people interested in amateur astronomy in and around Whakatāne. It is affiliated with the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ), linking its local members into the country's wider amateur astronomy community.

History

The society was founded in September 1960. Its observatory has been operating continuously since 1964, making it one of the longer-running amateur facilities in the region.

Visiting Whakatane Astronomical Society

The society's main fundraising activity is public observing nights, held every Tuesday and Friday evening, when visitors pay a small fee to view the sky through the society's telescopes under the guidance of a member. Larger groups and school parties can also arrange dedicated evenings in advance.

Location & getting there

The observatory is located in the Whakatāne District, on the eastern side of New Zealand's North Island in the Bay of Plenty region — an area known for its clear coastal skies away from major cities.

See your named star from here

Because the society welcomes visitors for guided viewing twice a week, it's a genuinely practical place to try to find a star you've named through Star Register: bring along the right ascension and declination from your certificate and ask a member for help locating it. Explore the catalogue or visit our packages to name your own star first.