Do you have a love of the stars? Keen on learning more about astronomy?

The local astronomical society is needing passionate and dedicated people to help run a range of interesting events at Tauranga's observatory.

Due to its unobtrusive design with a flat sliding roof instead of the more familiar dome, many people don't realize the observatory is tucked away inside the Otumoetai Sports and Recreation Club building at Fergusson Park, Matua.

Tauranga Astronomical Society president David Greig says they previously had a large pool of available and able-bodied volunteers to help with the many activities run by the society.

'Unfortunately, over the last three years, mainly due to age, health and people moving away, our valuable team has been seriously depleted.

'We have a fantastic core team of very dedicated people but most of us have various physical and health challenges that make our efforts increasingly difficult. We desperately need more volunteers to help us spread the load so that our remaining good keen volunteers don't burn out - myself included.”

Tauranga Astronomical Society Observatory Telescope 14 inch Meade LX200. Photo: David Greig.

David is currently the only person who feels capable to do the up-front presenting of their programs, including the 'Astronomy 101” program for visiting children.

'The busiest time of the year for us is between June to the end of September when we have numerous bookings from schools, home-school groups, Scouts, Cubs, Keas, Sea Scouts, various social clubs, kindergartens and also the occasional retirement village.

'These bookings are vitally important to us as they provide much needed income to help us cover our operating costs and to help with making improvements to the observatory and equipment.”

Tauranga Astronomical Society Observatory Gravity Simulator. Photo: Fiona Hunt.

As well as these activities and private group bookings, the society has regular Tuesday night meetings, held on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

'We also run public viewing nights, especially when the Moon is good for viewing. These nights are usually very well attended.

'In the event that I am unwell or otherwise unable to make it to a regular meeting or booking, there is currently no one else available who is able to step in and take over.”

David has been dealing with a long-term health condition - ME/CFS - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome - which he says takes its toll on him quite severely after each meeting and booking session.

'It usually takes me a couple of days each time to recover. I appear to be quite well but I'm not. Although I very much enjoy presenting, I really struggle with the after-effects.”

Tauranga Astronomical Society Observatory. Photo: Supplied.

With the busy winter bookings season of June to September, David is finding it hard to cope with all the sessions.

'In recent years, it has only been due to Covid, bad weather and the resulting cancellations that we have managed to get through without the need to cancel any bookings due to me being too unwell.”

This time of year, the booking requests start coming in and David has been reluctant to confirm too many booking dates until he can be sure they have enough keen people available to help.

'There are a number of tasks and roles that we need help with. Everything from putting out the chairs through to setting up and operating the telescopes. The audio-visual equipment needs to be set up for each meeting.

'We can use some more help in the kitchen with serving the tea and coffee and with washing up afterwards. There are many other tasks in between that all need people to do them, instead of it always coming down to the same dedicated few every night.”

He thinks that members stepping up to help with some of the presenting would add some variation and new life to the programme.

'And it would be fantastic if there are any educator types within our membership who can help with presenting the Astronomy 101 program to the visiting children's groups.”

Tauranga Astronomical Society Observatory at the Otumoetai Sports and Recreation Club building at Fergusson Park, Matua. Photo: Fiona Hunt.

He says people don't need formal teacher training, just an enthusiasm for sharing astronomy with others.

'It is a lot of fun and very rewarding. I personally can't continue trying to manage so much myself. I am wearing too many hats.”

The next TAS meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday, June 13, at the club building is also the AGM, and will include an interesting live presentation about the history of Tauranga Astronomical Society featuring photos and videos of the construction of the facilities and the observatory.

To learn more go to www.tas.org.nz or Facebook or email tas.secretary@gmail.com