Southern Stars is the Royal Astronomical Society of NZ’s Quarterly Journal which has been published continuously since 1934. It contains a huge amount of valuable scientific data as well as articles, information, obituaries, etc. about New Zealand’s leading astronomers, observatories and astronomical societies. Our southern location with excellent views of the Galactic centre, the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds (our closest galactic neighbours) and numerous other important celestial objects, make our observations particularly important, especially since they have been made by a succession of outstanding amateur astronomers over a very long period of time. Southern Stars is one of the few important astronomical journals that is currently not available online; currently the only option is to ship it to the US where it would become part of the comprehensive SAO/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS), the Digital Library portal for researchers in Astronomy and Physics. While it is important that it is made available through ADS, we should be responsible for our own heritage and retain ownership of this important scientific, cultural and historical journal in Aotearoa NZ.
Comments
It is one of the few astronomical journals worldwide that is not digital, and we lose control of it in NZ if we ship it overseas for digitising and adding to a research pool. By digitising ourselves here, we retain ownership and responsibility for these important scientific documents.
Southern Stars has been and continues to be a record of New Zealnd’s participation in international astronomy. It contains historically important data and links to our early history as a country. It definitely needs to be digitised to allow access by all people everywhere who have an interest in the Universe.
Rodney Austin
The only way I’m going to get to read back issues.
I am the current editor of Southern Stars and my interest in performing this job is to produce a record of NZ Astronomy. Not infrequently I receive requests for copies of past papers (the latest request only two weeks ago for a paper 20 years ago) and having been a member of the RASNZ a little over 40 years I have that many editions of the journal. Having it digitised and online would allow reseachers easier access and access further back in time. I agree with other comments in that it should be available digitally in NZ at least.
to enable everyone who is interested in science and nature to search back the history of research and astronomical activity in New Zealand, the people and places, the discoveries. This access will inspire more people to follow in those footsteps, and perhaps become world leaders as many kiws have so far.
Very important project. We have to support our #1 astronomical journal and make it sound and visible internationally.
Professor Sergei Gulyaev, Director
Institute for Radio Astronomy and Space Research
New Zealand is a country with a large number of individuals interested in astronomy – no doubt in part because of the relative ease of finding dark skies. The RASNZ is the prime astronomical association in NZ, and it would be great if its journal, which is also in part a journal of record, were better known and more accessible, especially overseas. In the internet age, digitization is the route to this.
Dr William Tobin,
Former Senior Lecturer, University of Canterbury.
Southern Stars is a record of astronomical activity (scientific, historical, and ethnographic) of a nation whose importance in the field extends beyond its borders. It is of interest (or would be of interest if made digitally available) not only to the diverse communities of Aotearoa/New Zealand, but for those internationally with an interest in the cultural role of astronomy in and beyond the SW Pacific. Southern Stars is not often found in libraries elsewhere (there are no copies in Canada). Its electronic availability would put the RASNZ house journal on a par with those of sister organizations, such as the Royal Astronomical Society, and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.
I am struck by what the editor of the journal says. As a researcher into ancient Greek history and science (including archaeoastronomy), I find it absolutely invaluable to be able to see old journals on-line, particularly when there are few copies in my own country (UK).
As this important astronomical journal is unavailable in Dutch observatory and university libraries I would very pleased to see this journal on-line in the near future
This journal has been at the forefront of astronomy in New Zealand, and is an inspiration to observations beyond its shores – especially of southern variable stars, asteroids and stellar occultations, education, and the historical contributions made in NZ.
It is one of the few professional journals that is foremost among amateurs and professional astronomers alike, and it would benefit greatly the prestige of astronomy beyond its shores.
When I first published a serious paper, it was my journal of choice – and I don’t come from New Zealand and was not a member of the RASNZ.
A must have for New Zealand prestige!
I have still have most of my copies of this journal between about 1982 and 1985, and I still refer to them on occasions! Wish I had access to the rest of the journals them! (The only other option at the moment is to travel to New Zealand!)
I know of many astronomers in Australia who have been rather shocked at the very high standard and quality of the articles, who often wonder how this Journal has been missed or so unknown to so many beyond its shores.
No doubt if “Southern Stars” were to grace the digital world, New Zealand overall contributions to southern astronomy would be greatly enhanced.
New Zealand may be known as the place of the “long white cloud”, but some of its inhabitance have also peered to the heavens, beyond its veil, and have contributed very much to the skies above.
Andrew James
Sydney, Australia