Young astronomers

Press, 11 December 1976, Page 12

Young astronomers

Sir, —- In the article entitled: ! ‘Help for parents of gifted children,” (“The Press,” December 8, 1976), by Brian Camboum, she writes: “An astronomical society is not going to open its membership to a boy of eight, no matter what his mental age.” This statement is quite wrong. Most astronomical societies in New Zealand have junior sections and there is no lower age' limit. For example the Canterbury Astronomical Society (C.A.S.) has an active junior group whose ages range from eight years up. In addition Mr J. E. Coxon, a senior member of C.A.S. and a teacher at Beckenham Primary School, runs a junior astronomy club in conjunction with C.A.S. This group contains primary and secondary age children from surrounding schools. Many of these children become members of C.A.S. and are active and valued members. C.A.S. organises a junior project competition and at least one week-end school for young astronomers at its West Melton observatory each year. — Yours, etc., FRANK P. ANDREWS, (President of QA.S.) k December 8, 1976.