Prominent N.Z. astronomer dead

Press, 23 May 1977, Page 22

Prominent N.Z. astronomer dead

PA Auckland Mr Ronald Alexander Mclntosh, an Auckland astronomer who became a world authority on meteors, and in later years was the director of the planetarium at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, has died. He was 73. Mr Mclntosh, was a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, began his interest in the heavens began as a boy. and was only 15 when he first took an active part in a meteor research programme. At that time he was a proof reader, usually working until the early morning, and after work would often go home, get out his binoculars and notebook, and search the skies for meteors until dawn. Mr Mclntosh became astronomical correspondent for the “New Zealand Herald” in 1927, at a time when his meteor studies

were winning international recognition. He was elected a member of the British Astronomical Society and the Societe Astronomique de France in 1928. He was made a Fellow of the Roval Society in 1929. and in 1935 published his definitive index to southern meteor showers. Mr Mclntosh became the Auckland Astronomical Society’s president in 1940. He was appointed director of the Auckland Museum’s planetarium in 1950, and retired from the post in 1972. Mr Mclntosh was able to translate Russian scientific papers, and had several scientific articles published in Russian magazines. He is survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter.