Our society’s history

A historical account by foundation member Norman Izett.

Archive note: This account carries dates from 2014 and 2017. Names, roles, prices and descriptions reflect the period in which it was written. For current visiting arrangements, see public viewings.

Beginnings · First observatory · People · Memorable skies · Acknowledgements

By Foundation Member Norman Izett

Updated 31/05/2014

The beginnings: 1960

Founded in September 1960 after a series of highly successful weekend lectures funded by the Auckland University and given by Mr (Beauie) Beaumont during the August School holidays at the Whakatane High School. In the end, all were suddenly left high and dry, so to speak, and it was decided to call a meeting a week later to decide our future which was held in the Legion of Frontiersmen Hall.

Clive Kingsley-Smith was appointed inaugural president, Shirley Izett secretary. About 35 attended. Other names that come to mind are Roy Stewart, Jimmy Morice and High School Teacher and son in law, Peter Dawson, Dot, Harry, and Bruce Swan. Jim Duthie, Gerald Murphy, Harry Skeapings, Leo Kavanagh and Nicky Diedren were among others to join later on. Jim became the secretary in 1961, replacing Shirley who was expecting her first child by then. No telescope, observatory or land at this time! Committee member Norman and Shirley were delegated to travel soon after the inaugural meeting in NZ Road Services Bus to the RASNZ conference in Auckland Museum. We didn’t know anyone there at all but were soon made very welcome once we introduced our selves in front of the gathering at the first session. In the first break, Dr. Frank Bateson, among others, was first to approach us and introduce himself. This was to become an important part of our history in time as he was later to become good friends with Jim Duthie for many years following, right up to Jim’s death. Dr. Bateson was beginning an NZ wide survey funded by the University of Pennsylvania for the best observing site in NZ and was initially very interested in Mt Edgecumbe seeing as he owned a retirement home in Tauranga. He came to Whakatane three weeks later specifically to assess Mt Edgecumbe/Putauaki, his first site but ruled it out completely due to the proximity of the lights from the large Tasman Paper Mill before even reaching Awakeri, much to our great disappointment. After assessing several sites countrywide, Mt John, Tekapo, turned out to be the best location. There was considerable ‘Political’ controversy at the time also, due to the involvement of the US Air Force in this project, but this gradually abated until the Air Force finally withdrew in later years.

The first telescope and observatory

Our first telescope was initially set up on a concrete mount at a property then owned by Jimmy Morice, west of Eivers Road and just north of the yet to be formed Hikorangi Street. It was OK, but bad for the telescope as it was out in the weather, protected only by a plastic sheet. This situation made the search for a better site really dire back then. But all was to progress for the better when President Kingsley (his popular name) successfully negotiated with the then Borough Council for a lease of a portion of the reserve on Hurinui Ave near where he lived and site and building work to house our prized new telescope was able to commence in earnest during late 1963. It featured a dome most skillfully constructed by another founder member, Freddie Wederell who was formally an auto upholsterer.

This telescope, a ‘Home Made’ 12” Cassegrain was purchased from Mr. Hargreaves, also as a result of the trip to Auckland. We were later to find out that it had a problem we weren’t initially aware that prevented getting a perfect focus. Jim and Norm could never quite get an accurate culmination of the secondary mirror, even after many hours on many nights trying. Would just about reach adjustment, then suddenly all would be lost by adjusting a teeny smidgen more, then having to start all over again, time and again. It turned out many years later that the secondary mirror had not been truly ground to match to the main mirror correctly (shades of the Hubble’s initial trouble!) The problem was finally solved by telescope optical expert and RASNZ member Gary Nankivell and this telescope worked admirably from then on, even though the drive motor didn’t always grip well on the heavy Bren Gun Carrier track, ‘bottom roller’.

The first small observatory to house the 12” Cassegrain was officially opened in May 1964 by Board Mill Manager, Fred Bridges. The Whakatane Society hosted the 1967 RASNZ Conference. Dr Bateson and many other renowned astronomers present. This was our first major event and really put us on the map then. 1967 and Shirley and Norman first to be honored with an Award Membership. December 20, 1968, and the world watched in awe as the crew of Apollo 8 left the Earth, circled the Moon for the very first time and returned back safely.

A growing society

The next milestone in 1969 was to enlarge the observatory to accommodate the famous 8” 1884 Grubb Refractor, ex John Tebbutt, Windsor, Sydney, Australia (died 1913) who had discovered several comets with it. Dr. Bateson had owned this instrument for many years much later following it’s move to Newcastle, including when he was stationed in the Cook Islands after WW2 and later assembled it again at the Mt John site, which had by this time proved to be the best site in New Zealand as a result of his countrywide survey. He sold it to our Society for $200! in 1969 on his retirement to Tauranga (no society there then) where it was housed in the enlarged observatory and was used for public education in the following fifteen years.

Also at the end of 1969, Kingsley, Shirley, and Norman traveled to Gisborne to attend an early RASNZ conference held there to mark the James Cook Bi-Century. The memory of the program rather hazy but I do remember the visit to the James Cook Observatory on Kaiti Hill. Also the trip to and from. Kingsley being scared stiff at traveling at the limit, or sometimes a tad (or two) over! After his usual habit of driving around Whakatane at about 60% of the limit in the Triumph Herald car had those days.

During the 1970s, Jim had begun an Astronomical News Letter to members and news items to our local paper, The Beacon, once a month and kept this up for many years to not long before his death. Bruce Thompson then continuing on from the mid-eighties during which time a get together of 5 or so members was often called to fold around 35+ of the various newsletters and other paraphernalia into envelopes, ready to mail out. Some overseas! This subsided due to the advent of email, but Bruce continued with our newsletter to 2004, even after previously moving to Oamaru. The News Letter was never continued after that, sad to say.

Then came the addition of the ex-civil defense Radio Shack, A WW2 Army hut and one of very few still surviving. Formally the council building inspector’s office, annexed to the former council buildings. Then later, the Civil Defense radio shack, and finally donated to us in the 1970s courtesy member John King, the then Borough Electrical Engineer at the time, after the new council headquarters had been constructed. This gave us a much-needed facility for meetings and education as well back then.

Visitors and new instruments

Patrick Moore’s first visit in May 1983 filled the Whakatane Memorial Hall and he was made Honorary Member from then on.

The Grubb refractor was replaced by a new 14” Celestron, a sizable telescope for New Zealand in 1986, as a swap for the Grubb by the people in Windsor, Sydney who had finally tracked it down to us and desperately wanted it back to reinstall in it’s original observatory building that still remained in very good condition after all these years. Jim Duthie had driven a hard bargain at the time to get the 14” in the end as the original offer was for a much smaller, 8” Celestron. The old refractor was once again dismantled, crated up by members comprising, Eric Cleaver, Pearce Atkins, Jock Ward, Bruce Thompson, Norman Izett and Ian Duthie (standing in for Jim) whose health was deteriorating by then. Pearce made a professional job of making the various crates for this bulky instrument to be flown back to Sydney in a RAAF Hercules Transport this time for its final VIP trip! Our society has shared a significant part of the illustrious history of this famous instrument.

Norman was less active while employed from 1972 to 1992 at the Tasman Mill, in nearby Kawerau but still managed a significant contribution during his 20-year stint while there by making the substantial Mount for it and we had the new Celestron installed and working just in time to catch Haley’s Comet in 1986 after it had passed perihelion and began to fade away from us once more. This apparition had been seriously overhyped by the media in spite of the warnings issued by the astronomical fraternity that it was never going to match the previous display, given the relative positions of the Earth, Sun and the comet this time.

During this period, Jim Duthie had acquired a 10” Newtonian and set it up in his back yard to make checking the skies, more convenient for him. Jim, Eric Cleaver and to a lesser extent, Bruce Thomson had traveled the country to represent our society at the various conventions. Even chair them when serving their terms as presidents at the respective times.

Another significant event was to host the Top Half Conference at Trident High School in the 1990s and the dome on the original observatory dome was removed in 1995 due to a deteriorating substructure. It was replaced with a new lean-to roof, attached to the roll-off roof of the extended observatory so that all is opened and closed by the existing winch mechanism that Norman had fabricated for the 1969 extension. This was a major project during Bruce Thompsons’ reign and thanks largely to a big effort at the time by Keith Blair and team. Then not long after, another working bee saw to the task of applying two coats of paint as well to give the building further spruce up.

The next important event in October 1997 was the second visit and a very well attended public address by world-renowned Sir Patrick Moore of BBC fame, given at the Liberty Center which was recorded by Norman on the new ‘Mini Digital’ format for our archives Then came the sale of our original Cassegrain much later in 2007/08 to a person in Tauranga to make way for the massive John Smith 6” refractor.

Then came the bulky 6” John Smith Refractor. constructed by a highly skilled machinist from Kawerau. A masterpiece of engineering with its worm drives, clutches, and ancillary gear. Quite apart from its optics, which he also devised a machine to grind the lens. We had purchased this from member Jo Bonner who had purchased it from the Smith estate some time previously, but, because of changes in her occupation, was never was able to set it up at her home, even though she had spent a considerable amount on a concrete foundation to house it. She offered it to us for $1300 and after a refurbish by Ian Bigham and Norman., it was squeezed into the original observatory in November 2008.

Another real milestone was achieved on November 4^th, 2008 when, after the efforts of previous officers trying many times during the past 44 years. Norman was at last successful in getting reason to prevail with the removal of the cursed Oak tree (from just above the present access steps from the parking area) that had previously been blocking the view for about 2-1/4 hours of both Jupiter and Saturn that were in very close proximity in that period. This was achieved by approaches firstly to Mayor Colin Hammond and his successor Colin Holmes, overruling the stubborn opposition of Mike Naude, the parks and reserves supervisor at the time. This also was the beginning of a massive removal program of other trees as well to drastically improve our horizons. As part of the deal to remove the Oak, we supplied and planted three Kowhai trees in various places as well as the native plants, supplied by the Council, and planted by Jo Bonner and Annette Assen around the site.

The John Smith refractor was dismantled again in August 2009 and put into storage at George Odey’s residence as it was just too large for the original observatory. It was replaced a ten inch SCR Meade.

People and recognition

PRESIDENTS Kingsley first 4 years, Norman following 3 years (initially) Jim Duthie 4 years to 1972. John McQueen and Bert Adams to 1978, then Bruce Thompson 4 yrs to 1983. Then Eric Cleaver began a long stint of 13 years up to 1996. Chris Turbot took over to 1998, then Ray Watchman for only a couple of months only due to other commitments and Norman as V/P then stepped up and has been president ever since. The dramatic site and building development made during this later period to the present. Norman only remaining foundation member alive in NZ. The other, ex-wife Shirley, in Hervey Bay, Queensland Australia at the time of writing. Gerald Murphy, (recently deceased) another longtime member joined a few months after the beginning and recently donated his fabulous painting of Jupiter from Europa this hangs in the entrance of the education facility. Diana Watson served a long secretarial stint in two stages for 15 years from 1991. Patron Alan Gilmore and Honorary Member have held this position since 1994. Pam Kilmartin is an Honorary Member and Sir Patrick Moore and Dr. Frank Bateson  remained as well until their deaths. Also, the late John Williams traveled from Tauranga for many years to attend our monthly meetings. He died when our new meeting room was still an unlined shell. Quite a shame he missed seeing the finished project. Society members have presented a request to address the light pollution problem to the District Council twice in recent years. Have had some cooperation, but overall the problem has increased. We are not done yet!

AWARD MEMBERS. 2017. Charlie Lampitt, Nichole Van der Aa, Jono Walker,  2007 Keith Blair; 2006 John Williams; 2004 Diana Watson; 1995 Bruce Thompson; 1994 Eric Cleaver; 1984 Pearce Atkins; 1980 Harry Williams; 1975 Clive Kingsley-Smith; 1972 Jim Duthie; 1967 Norman and Shirley Izett.

Developing the observatory

Major progress over the last 14 years including removal of trees (that had steadily grown) to dramatically retrieve the lost horizons. Parking area really enhanced by Council with a scale of suns’ diameter compared to Earth at 305mm as part of concrete border (visible on Google Earth) The project to replace the decrepit WW2 Army Hut with the well-appointed meeting room began in 2005. Modified to have toilet moved to end of entrance and veranda fully enclosed with roller and security doors now the main entrance. Took two years to get legal and permit issues for sewage connection resolved. A huge ‘One Day’ effort by Keith, Norman. Ian and Charlie to construct the steps from the car park. A smart new storage building topped with a Sirius dome with computer control incorporated to facilitate future telescope/astrophotography etc. The acquisition of more instruments. And the latest ongoing improvements including retaining walls and a generous amount of concrete paving added. All recently completed, adding to the very aesthetic surroundings we have achieved over the last decade in particular and completed in time for the 50^th year celebrations.

The Society purchased a 152mm Lunt Solar telescope in February 2011, the first and largest of it’s kind in the southern hemisphere direct from the manufacturers at the time. And last year, a very high-quality 158mm Williams Optics refractor being the latest acquisition to enhance astrophotography abilities. Stand out members during this latter expansion are; President Norman, Vice President Keith Blair, Secretary Diana Watson, Treasurer Jono Walker, Committee members, Ian Bigham, (who puts in many hours keeping the grounds in order) Charlie Lampitt and more recently Secretary/Treasurer Nichola Van der Aa. Nichola has had another baby, shifted house four times, (the last the weekend before the conference) while also coordinating the LOC meetings since the SCC confirmed our bid at the 2011 Napier convention to host it here in Whakatane. Just to give an idea of what she has coped with in this time.

As well, from the early 2000s, as a result being unable to pay the full insurance at the time, A considerable amount of assets were written off and it was necessary to raise admission fees (with quite some opposition) from gold coin to $5. Further increases have followed twice subsequently and the utilization of the facility had increased back then from once a fortnight except for December to February to twice a week throughout the year and any other night by arrangement. Quite a demand now and manned as always by a small number of dedicated members.

Memorable skies

Most memorable events observed during this time: The brilliant display of Comet McNaught, the  appearance in the morning skies of Comet Ikeya-Seki during October 1965; The historic epochs of Apollo 8, the first manned Lunar Orbit in December 1968 followed by the Apollo 11 mission made on July 20 1969 with the first human landing on the moon and a safe return; The disappointing (this time) return of Halley’s Comet in 1986; The vision in February 1987 of the exploding star SN 1987A supernova near the Tarantula Nebula; The closest pass of Mars for 60,000 years during August 2003; And the most unforgettable views of Comet McNaught in January 2007 that attracted worldwide attention. Also in 2007, a stand out visit by Tom Callahan, all the way from Melbourne, Florida who came expressly in early June (after being directed to us by Patron Alan Gilmore) to realize his desire to view the majesty of the center of our galaxy we enjoy (and take for granted) from our southern latitudes. Tom had recently retired from the USAF and his interest in astronomy grew rapidly after viewing Jupiter back home not long before. We received our prized astronomical ‘laser pointer’ three weeks later as a token of appreciation for the hospitality he had enjoyed here with us.

Also, even though they come in at any time, anywhere, were the two daytime meteors in particular that startled the community with their ‘Sonic Booms’. One over Opotiki from north to south in 1989. The other in the late nineties, from east to west, just to the north, which left a display iridescent colours high in the atmosphere that remained for quite some time.

Reflections on astronomy and technology

All this including the Lunar landings and the enormous technological strides made since then, not only in the advances in all facets of telescopic observing and recording but the explosion of the “Digital Age” has resulted in a huge advance in telescope design, not only in huge ground-based telescopes now in use and coming online, but also the advent of the orbiting and revolutionary ‘Hubble’ now followed by several other Space Telescopes in dedicated wavelengths of light at various orbits and the progress in land-based telescopes with a mammoth 39 meter version being constructed right now. This advancement has enabled not only the professional scientists with their massive instruments, but enthusiasts all over the world to make scientific contributions of considerable merit with very modest equipment that is becoming ever more attainable each year. Added to this is the tremendous advances in parallel due to the ‘Space Age’. Out of this has come the superior ‘Flat Screen’ technology, a result of the need to have much lighter and hugely more powerful computers than the old, with the very weighty cathode ray monitors the likes of the early orbiting space and lunar vehicles, the MIR and ISS Stations and Shuttles required, the combined weight adding to the huge amount of energy required to lift them into low earth orbit. The advances are now that this same energy is now used to lift an increasing amount of payload instead. The gains from the Space Age are also benefiting humanity in many other aspects of everyday life, eg keyhole surgery, cat scan and improved radiation technology, solar panels, metallurgy, man-made plastics, and carbon fiber are just some extensive number of examples we all benefit from daily. It is often stated that early generations of mobile phones had more power than that of the manned missions to the Moon! Those of us can remember those first grainy images from the moon on our black and white TV’s back then. A far cry from the brilliant images we now can see of the grains of Martian rocks live, in unprecedented detail in HDMI colour on our large flat screen TV’s. Now, the very latest is that International Banking is using the Space Software that was developed in the first place to control the launching and operation of satellites, is now being used to monitor and keep secure all manner of financial transactions from those with evil intentions.

Many years ago, I had become aware of the famous Carl Sagan and often play a chapter from his famous, seven DVD ‘Cosmos’ series that Jono purchased some time ago. I found he was born three months after me and died in December 1996. While he did have the chance marvel and comment on the early ‘Hubble’ images, it haunts me quite often with the amazing revelations on all fronts that have followed since as my life continues, just what this marvelous orator would be portraying to the world at large about this advancing state of modern astronomy that constantly thrills me and him, unfortunately, has missed with his premature death, a result of cancer.

Nowadays, so many people (many too, remaining skeptical of the money spent by the likes of NASA and the ESA) happily enjoy all these advances with the GPS navigation in aircraft and shipping increasing operational safety, but also personally in their cars, sport activities, emergency beacons etc., the amazing surge in the mobile ipad and iphone technology, not forgetting all now having Satellite TV in their homes. Such has been the progress during this fifty year period.

The Whakatane Observatory has become an ‘Icon’ of the district now, having been the only observatory in the BOP for so many years in the past, having countless people from all over the world, as well as an untold number of school classes, visit from near and far. Recent visitors from France told us they had read about us in some publication there!

Tauranga opened their observatory in 2010 with a more modern telescope of the same size. Rotorua had a small Observatory for a while but it is no longer operational. The Whakatane Observatory has a decided advantage over Tauranga in that we can open any night of the year at any time (within reason) Whereas Tauranga has a strict regime to share the facilities where they are with about six other organizations and opening nights are extremely limited. A severe handicap compared to the freedom we enjoy here in Whakatane.

Acknowledgements

Main benefactors since 2005 are The Scotwood Trust; The Lion Foundation; Sky City; The Pub Charities; The Southern Trust; BOP Energy Trust; Century Foundation; The Whakatane District Council; Whakatane West Rotary. Also an acknowledgment to the many local businesses who have assisted us one way or another all along the journey, right from the beginning to the present.

Added to this, of course, are the countless and ongoing thousands of hours the members have donated all through these years.

Norman Izett.

06/06/2017.

FOOTNOTE A mention must be made too of the highly successful hosting of the 2014 RASNZ Conference and Variable Stars South Symposium now to be added to our growing list of achievements. A further demonstration of the determination and dedication of the Local Organizing Committee of our Society that made it all such a success.