Frank Bateson

Frank Bateson, OBE, (October 31, 1909 - April 16, 2007) was a New Zealand astronomer who specialized in the study of variable stars.

Frank Maine Bateson was born in Wellington on October 31, 1909 and studied in Australia and New Zealand. His interest in astronomy developed during his school years in Sydney, Australia; [http://rasnz.org.nz/FrankBateson.htm Tribute to Frank Bateson from the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand.] Accessed April 18, 2007.] in 1927, at the age of 18, he founded the Variable Star Section (VSS) of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand. He remained as Director of the VSS until 2004. [http://www.rsnz.org/advisory/astronomy/minutes/HernshawReview.php New Zealand Astronomy] , from the Royal Society of New Zealand. Accessed April 18, 2007.]

Under his lead, the VSS observed variable stars and collated reports on stars from both professional and amateur observers throughout the world and was known worldwide for its work in the field of variable stars. He was associated with the VSS until his death. He and his wife, Doris, formed a non-profit organization called Astronomical Research Ltd. which administers the over 1,000,000 observations which have been delivered to the VSS by amateur and professional astronomers worldwide since the onset of the program.

He served in World War II with New Zealand's Home Naval Service, then after the war moved to Rarotonga, Cook Islands where he worked until 1960. In 1957 he was elected to the Parliament of the Cook Islands, the first person of European heritage to be so elected. [http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=374602 "The West Australian" obituary of Frank Bateson.] Accessed April 18, 2007.] He spent much of his career working in the business field while pursuing his astronomical interests as a hobby.

Bateson was instrumental in the founding of the Mount John University Observatory in Tauranga, assisting the University of Canterbury in finding an appropriate location for the observatory. Bateson was appointed Astronomer-in-Charge of the observatory after it opened in 1963; he held this position until his retirement in 1969.

Bateson has also authored or co-authored over 300 scientific papers. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) in 1963. He served on the society's council for a number of years, including one year as president. He was an honorary member of the Royal Astronomical Society and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. [ [http://www.rasc.ca/honorary/index.shtml Bateson info from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada] .Accessed April 18, 2007.] Bateson was also a member of the International Astronomical Union and served as its first representative from New Zealand. He received the Jackson-Gwilt Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society in 1960 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Waikato in 1979. He was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1970 for services to astronomy and the Amateur Achievement Award of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in 1980. The asteroid 2434 Bateson was named in his honour..

Frank Bateson died on April 16, 2007, in Wellington, New Zealand.

Further reading

* "Paradise Beckons" by Frank M. Bateson. Heritage Press, 1989. ISBN 0-908708-13-0.

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