EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ASTRONOMY PROGRAMS AT THE CARTER OBSERVATORY - AN OVERVIEW

This paper outlines the extensive range of public programs offered by the Carter Observatory, including 'public nights', new planetarium and audio-visual shows, displays, the Carter Memorial Lectures, the annua l Astronomical Handbook and other publications, a monthly newspaper co lumn and three monthly radio programs. It also deals with the Observat ory's involvement in undergraduate and postgraduate astronomy at Victo ria University of Wellington, various adult education training program s, 'Overnight Extravaganzas', holiday programs, and the recent develop ment of the Education Service in response to the introduction of an as tronomy curriculum into schools throughout New Zealand. Some possible future developments in the public astronomy and education areas are al so discussed.