Ian Cooper is a long-time New Zealand amateur astronomer, astrophotographer, and science communicator. He has been observing and photographing the night sky since the 1970s, becoming one of the pioneers of astrophotography in Aotearoa during the era of film cameras and hand-guided telescopes. Over decades of observing the southern skies, Ian has developed deep expertise in celestial events such as comets, aurorae, and planetary phenomena, and he is widely respected in the New Zealand astronomy community for both his knowledge and his enthusiasm for sharing it (Milky-Way.Kiwi, 2018)
As of the 3rd of March 2026, Ian Cooper has successfully observed his 29th consecutive total lunar eclipse!!
Ian currently serves as President of The Phoenix Astronomical Society (TPAS) and has been a member of the organisation’s council for more than a decade. He is also President of the Palmerston North Astronomical Society and a founding member and past president of the Foxton Beach Astronomical Society. In addition to his leadership roles in amateur astronomy, Ian has been the North Island Coordinator of the Aurora and Solar Section of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) since 1993.
Beyond his observational work, Ian has contributed to astronomy education and literature. He is co-author of Night Sky Observer’s Guide, Volume III: The Southern Section, a reference for observers of the southern skies. Known for his engaging talks and encyclopedic knowledge of celestial events, Ian continues to inspire new generations of astronomers through lectures, society activities, and public outreach across New Zealand.