Monthly Meeting May - The Marvels of the Solar System
2024-05-13 20:00 - 21:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Our exploration of the Solar System has revealed a remarkable diversity of landscapes, from the frozen deserts of Mars, which billions of years ago ran with water, to the hellish surface of Venus and the strange hydrocarbon seas of Saturn’s largest moon, Titan. In our voyages to these places we have discovered what may be the most common home for life in the Universe – the ice-covered oceans found in many of Jupiter and Saturn’s moons.
This lecture was recorded by Chris Lintott on 25 October 2023 at Barnard’s Inn Hall, London
Chris is Gresham Professor of Astronomy.
He is also a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford, and a Research Fellow at New College.

Astrophotography Group May - Photographing Aurorae
2024-05-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Budget Astrophotography Series – Faint Ephemerae

Photography of Aurorae, Meteor Radiants, Comets
Best long-exposure Cellphone applications
Introduction to Barndoor Trackers

Practical Astronomy - Telescope maintenance.
2024-05-20 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
AAS Curator of instruments Steve Hennerley will be explaining the do’s and don’ts of telescope maintenance, including topics such as cleaning of the optics and collimation. This will be an interactive session so please bring your questions, or raise any specific problems you are having in this area.

Film Night May
2024-05-27 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
We are running two films tonight
We look forwards to seeing you there.
Exoplanets and Antarctica “Searching for exoplanets from Antarctica.” | BBC: The Sky at Night

The Sky at Night team report on the new scientific methods being used to detect exoplanets and how the winter darkness of Antarctica is critical to their success.
In our quest to find planets that aren’t too up close and personal with their parent stars, we must inevitably search for signals that are both long in duration and infrequent in occurrence. Our own Earth as viewed in transit by (probably) clever alien astronomers would cast a roughly eight hour-long shadows on the Sun, only once every 365 days. Signals like this need long, uninterrupted and clear nights, with very stable conditions. ASTEP enjoys all of these, simply by virtue of its location.

The Closest Planet Outside Our Solar System Is Almost Within Reach | Proxima Centauri

Since its discovery over 100 years ago, it has captivated astronomers the world over. As if the paradoxes of this star weren’t alluring enough, scientists have recently discovered a seemingly Earth-like exoplanet in its orbit, opening conversations about interstellar colonisation.
It lies so despairingly close, yet would take generations to reach. Newer techniques like solar sails or nuclear propulsion might make such a trip possible within a human lifetime.

Monthly Meeting June - Is it Aliens? The Most Unusual Star in the Galaxy
2024-06-10 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Boyajian’s star, a faint and unprepossessing presence in the constellation of Cygnus, attracted astronomers’ attention when it began to flicker alarmingly.
We will discuss explanations for its behaviour, from disintegrating comets to alien megastructures, and consider how modern astronomy hunts for the truly unusual objects in the Universe. For this task, the involvement of large numbers of volunteers – citizen scientists – is essential, for example via the Zooniverse platform, which invites you to participate in classifying galaxies and discovering planets.
This lecture was recorded by Chris Lintott on 29th April 2024 at Conway Hall, London
Chris is Gresham Professor of Astronomy. He is also a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford, and a Research Fellow at New College.

Astrophotography Group June
2024-06-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
TBA

Practical Astronomy June - The Winter Night Sky
2024-06-17 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
This month will be one of our seasonal planetarium sessions where we will review the constellations of the winter night sky and the deep sky objects found within them.

Film Night June
2024-06-24 20:00 - 21:15 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
We are running two films tonight
We look forwards to seeing you there.
Why Venera Went Silent on Venus | Astrum

What caused Venera Space Ship to fail so quickly after a successful landing on Venus. This documentary explains why and shows the only images of Venus ever to be captured from it’s surface.

Uncovering the Secrets of the International Space Station (Full Episode) | Superstructures

What makes up the ISS. How did we fly it all up into orbit. Did you know the ISS has emergency escape pods ready to un-dock at a moments notice, to drop towards Earth, and that the Astronauts have had to occupy these during recent potential catastrophic events. These subjects and more will be covered is this documentary.

Monthly Meeting July - The Pillars of Modern Cosmology: Theory and Observations
2024-07-08 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
This month’s speaker will be Professor Sergei Gulyaev.
Monthly Meeting July – The Pillars of Modern Cosmology: Theory and Observations
As we celebrate the centennial anniversary of Friedmann-Lemaitre-Hubble’s revelation that our universe is expanding, we will revisit pivotal moments and milestones in the history of cosmology. From the groundbreaking theory of general relativity to the observations of distant galaxies and the cosmic microwave background, this lecture will delve into the key discoveries that have shaped our understanding of the universe. Not only we will highlight the significant achievements of the past century but also look ahead to the exciting prospects and unanswered questions that continue to inspire astronomers and physicists today.
Professor Sergei Gulyaev, DirectorCentre for Radio Astronomy and Space Research,
School of Engineering, Computer and Mathematical Sciences,
Auckland University of Technology,
Auckland, New Zealand

Astrophotography Group July - Image Stacking
2024-07-15 19:00 - 20:00
This month Eric Chiu will do a presentation on astro image stacking using freely available software for planetary and deep sky photography.

Practical Astronomy July - Sky Charting Software
2024-07-15 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The topic for this month will be Sky Charting Software.
Sky Charting software can be used for planning your observing sessions, previewing Sky Events and even telescope and dome control control. They are also a great educational resource for learning and gaining understanding of some of the jargon used in astronomy. We will use the Open Source desktop application Stellarium to investigate some of these features and also demonstrate the use of a mobile device using the Sky Safari app.

Film Night July
2024-07-22 20:00 - 21:30 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
We are running two films tonight on our Solar System
We look forwards to seeing you there.

A Deep Dive Into The Mysteries Of Mars | Astrum – 4K

A refresh of the Astrum ‘Our Solar System’ series, updated to reflect all we’ve learned about our planetary neighbourhood in the last few years

Eight Wonders Of Our Solar System | The Planets | BBC Earth Science

Discover the most memorable events in the history of our solar system. Travel to the surface of these dynamic worlds to witness the moments of high drama that uniquely shaped each one.

Monthly Meeting August - My lessons from the RASNZ conference
2024-08-11 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) Conference is an unique opportunity for astronomy enthusiasts, professionals, and researchers in New Zealand to meet, discuss and learn about astronomy from each other. In this talk, I will share my experience attending the RASNZ Conference, highlighting the unique opportunities it offers for networking, learning, and exploring the latest developments in astronomy. From engaging presentations by leading experts to hands-on workshops and thought-provoking discussions, I will discuss how the conference deepened my understanding of the universe and inspired new avenues for exploration. Whether you’re a seasoned astronomer or just starting your journey, this talk will illustrate why the RASNZ Conference is a valuable experience for anyone passionate about the stars.
Alex Liang is the presenter and organiser of the AAS Young Astronomers Group. The AAS Council awarded Alex a student sponsorship to attend the 2024 RASNZ Conference in Nelson.

The talk will be followed with refreshments.

Young Astronomers Group August
2024-08-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Have you ever sat down on your balcony and gazed up at the skies and asked questions? Such as what happens if I get sucked into a black hole? Why are some stars red and some are blue? Is there life on any other planets? Why does Saturn have rings? Did you know that every star has its own story?
Come and join us for a fun session where we will discover the answers! We will explore the myths one by one from our familiar Sun to mysterious galaxies far far away! And we will explore planets with an endless desert or a giant gas ball with beautiful rings. Whether you’re a kickstarter of astronomy or a junior expert, there is a place for all of you.

Practical Astronomy August
2024-08-19 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Names and Catalogues
In this talk we will be discussing the IAU naming conventions for celestial objects along with the star and deep sky catalogues commonly encountered by amateur astronomers.
The Messier Catalogue

Film Night August
2024-08-26 20:00 - 21:15 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
We are running two films tonight on our Solar System
We look forwards to seeing you there.

We are Star Dust & Everything we see is in the Past | Astronomical Space Documentary Episodes 1 & 2

Damon Scotting spent six years making this very engaging documentary. We are viewing episodes 1 & 2 of 6

The Search for Alien Life | BBC The Sky at Night

The Sky at Night team investigate the latest science in the hunt for extraterrestrial life. Scientists have never been more obsessed …

Introduction to Astronomy September 2024
2024-09-02 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The Planets & Moons of the Solar System Through Modern Eyes
Tonight, we will review the Solar System’s eight planets, exploring their general and exciting features, including new ideas on how Mercury acquired a large iron core and the special features of many moons. We’ll then discuss why we see four minor rocky inner planets and four giant gas/ice outer planets, including recent supercomputer simulations showing new insights into how the migratory movements of the giant planets in the early Solar System shaped the dichotomy we see today.
If you’re interested in current ideas on the planets, moons and the Solar System, this talk is for you! We look forward to seeing you all there.
This meeting will also be live-streamed on the AAS YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Monthly Meeting September
2024-09-09 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
District Court Judge Alan Goodwin, the Author of the novel Greene Lyon, will discuss his book on Sir Isaac Newton.
The novel tells the ‘true’ story of Isaac Newton and the falling apple, one of the great historical myths. The book combines real aspects of Newton’s life with entirely fictionalised parts and explores the murky divisions between magic beliefs and early scientific discovery. The story centres around Newton’s obsessions and secretive nature. He wants to understand the universe, which he believes is the manifestation of God’s power, but is haunted by darker impulses and a passion for Alice Cutler, a girl from his youth, who bears the mark of a witch. When Alice’s life is threatened by a witch finder, Isaac’s life unravels, driving him to scientific creation and a choice to banish Alice with fatal consequences.
Born in England in 1963, Alan Goodwin was educated at Friends’ School, a Quaker school, in Saffron Walden, Essex, before taking a degree in Social Science. When qualified as a solicitor, he practised Criminal and Family law in West London. In 1994 Alan emigrated to New Zealand and worked for many years at Corban Revell Lawyers in West Auckland where he became a managing partner of the firm. From 2011 to 2016 he worked as a barrister specialising in Family law, acting for parties and working as a Lawyer for Child. Over the years he presented at legal seminars and conferences. In 2016 Alan was appointed as a District Court Judge, sitting in the Family and Criminal courts in Manukau, Auckland. Writing has been Alan’s passion since he was a teenager; he is also an avid reader with an enduring love of both fiction and non-fiction, especially history and biography. He has a particular interest in science, its history and impact on the way we live. When not reading and writing, or enjoying family time, Alan is a keen follower of sports, especially football (he is a lifelong supporter of Tottenham Hotspur) and has also coached over the years. Greene Lyon is Alan’s second novel. His previous publications are Gravity’s Chain, HarperCollins, 2006, and Working with Psychologists, co-authored with Llewelyn Richards-Ward, New Zealand Law Society, 2002.
The book can be purchased at https://quentinwilsonpublishing.com/product/greene-lyon-a-novel-by-alan-goodwin/

Astrophotography Group September
2024-09-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Astrophotopgraphy Show-and-Tell
Please do feel free to bring all your favourite and best astrophotos on USB drive, to share with the attendees.
The provided system has industrial-grade antivirus software, to protect data integrity.
Please also do feel free to provide all the details of location, camera, processing, and your experience.

Unguided Dobsonian-mount Newtonian Digital Astrophotography
– How to take an off-the-cuff snapshot with your smartphone, with and without a smartphone mount
– F/ratio considerations
– Digital guidance for faint stuff – the freeware Astrohopper
– The optimum eyepiece focal length for planets
– The optimum eyepiece focal length for bright deep-sky objects
– Inexpensive CMOS cameras for instruments of 4″ – 8″ aperture
– Getting serious – CMOS cameras for instruments of 8″ aperture and up
– The limit of the state of the art

Martin La Grange

Practtical Astronomy September
2024-09-16 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The Spring Night Sky
This will be one of our quarterly planetarium sessions where we will review the Spring Night Sky. The the weather is suitable we will follow the meeting with telescope observing.

Monthly Meeting October - Black Holes and the Technology to Find Them
2024-10-14 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The population of black holes, objects left over from dead stars, is almost entirely unexplored. Only about two dozen black holes are confidently known in our Galaxy. As a result, some of the most basic properties of black holes remain unknown, including the true number of black holes in the Galaxy, their masses and sizes, and how the black holes were formed. Dr. Lu discusses how she and other astronomers are using “gravitational lensing” — something predicted by Einstein’s work — to open a new window onto black holes, and how the first free-floating black holes are now being discovered. She explains, in everyday language, why astronomers expect that the number of known black holes will increase by a factor of 100 over the next decade.
Talk by Dr. Jessica Lu (University of California, Berkeley)
This is a rebroadcast of one of the SVA Lecture Series.
The meeting will be followed by supper.

Practical Astronomy October - Telescope Mounts
2024-10-21 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
This month’s talk will be about the various types of telescope mounting systems and how they are used.

Film Night October
2024-10-28 20:00 - 21:15 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
We are running one full length film tonight. We look forwards to seeing you there.

The film we are playing tonight covers many different subjects. It looks at SpaceX Projects, Space Communications, how partnerships with private companies like Boeing and SpaceX are reshaping space travel and much more. This is a well put together, very interesting film.

Monthly Meeting November -Dot to Dot in the Sky – The Nature of Night
2024-11-11 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Early cultures sought connections between what happened on Earth and what occurred overhead. They told stories to explain the stars, auroras, and other night sky phenomena. Discover legends of the night sky, as well as the relationship between art, science, and nature in our Earth-sky environment.
Joan Marie Galat is an award-winning author in Canada who shares her love of the night sky in books that include the Dot to Dot in the Sky series, Dark Matters—Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution, and the National Geographic Kids title: Absolute Expert: Space. Joan’s 2024 release—Make Your Mark, Make a Difference—includes issues relating to outer space and the night sky. Visit www.joangalat.com for additional information.

Astrophotography Group November
2024-11-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Comet stacking and other features of Deep Sky Stacker with Eric Chiu.

Practical Astronomy November - Variable Stars
2024-11-18 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Observation of variable stars has a long history with amateur astronomy. We will discuss the types of variable stars and how to observe them to obtain scientifically useful data. This is still a valuable activity even with the large survey telescopes, as amateurs can obtain data for stars that are too bright for the large telescopes, or for certain types of variable stars where changes are happening rapidly, the survey scopes cannot be dedicated for short cadence observing of a single star.

Monthly Meeting December - Exploring the Gravitational Wave Universe
2024-12-09 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Measuring gravitational waves is a revolutionary new way to do astronomy. They were predicted by Einstein, but it was not until 2015, that LIGO (the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory) first detected one of these waves. They were tiny ripples in space itself, generated by the collision of two black holes. Since then, LIGO and its international partners have measured nearly 100 signals. Dr. Lantz explains what we can learn from these bursts of energy and just how it is possible to measure a wave which stretches our detector 1000 times less than the diameter of a proton. And he discusses what’s coming next in our search for these tell-tale ripples in space?
Dr. Lantz is the scientific leader for the Advanced LIGO seismic isolation system.
This will be a rebroadcast of one of the Silicaon Valley Lecture Series.

Practical Astronomy - The Summer Night Sky
2024-12-16 20:15 - 21:15 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
This will be one of our quarterly planetarium sessions where we will review the Summer Night Sky using the Planetarium.

Monthly Meeting February - Touching the Sun
2025-02-10 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Despite its familiarity, the Sun is a very different presence from the friendly yellow circle in children’s paintings. Our star is a broiling mass of plasma, with its powerful magnetic fields, twisted by its rotation, capable of producing dramatic events of spectacular beauty and power. Using results from NASA’s Parker Solar Probe – the fastest moving human-made object ever – and ESA’s Solar Orbiter, this spectacular lecture takes a new look at the mysteries of the Sun, and its effects on the Earth.
This lecture was recorded by Chris Lintott on 15th January 2024 at Conway Hall, London
Chris is Gresham Professor of Astronomy.
He is also a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford, and a Research Fellow at New College.

Practical Astronomy
2025-02-17 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Telescopes and Accessories
This month we will be talking about the various types of telescopes and commonly used accessories.
