Astrophotography Group August - Fast and Furious – Trials and Tribulations of Fast Refractor Imaging with Simon Lewis
2021-08-16 19:00 - 20:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
CAD optical design combined with modern optical manufacturing techniques is creating an all new generation of fast refractors for the amateur market. These new scopes vastly reduce the imaging time required to capture high quality images but they can be difficult to tame. Simon Lewis outlines his experiences after venturing into this world and offers some advice and guidance on how to get the very best from your fast refractor system.

Practical Astronomy August - Telescope Clinic
2021-08-16 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
This month we will be running a Telescope clinic, demonstrating care and maintenance of various telescope types, including collimation and cleaning. Bring along your questions.

Film Night August - Cosmic Rays
2021-08-23 20:00 - 21:30 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Film Night postponed due to lockdown.

An Introduction and four short films looking at Cosmic Rays: what they are, how they are detected and what do they tell us.
August Film Night hosted by Ken Hulls

Variable Stars
2021-08-30 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
This meeting will be online via the Society youtube channel. The topic will be variable stars, including recurrent Novae, Cephied variables and others. This extra talk is being held on the fifth Monday as we were unable to hold film night due to the lock down.

Practical Astronomy - The Spring Night Sky
2021-09-20 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
This will be one of our seasonal Night Sky reviews. This will be held online via the Auckland Astronomical Society youtube channel.

Monthly Meeting October - Outdoor Lighting - sky glow, human health and ecosystems with Steve Butler
2021-10-11 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
This talk will cover the change in outdoor lighting over the past decade with reference to the “new” technology of LED light sources. Included will be the implications of light colour on sky glow, human health and ecosystems. The monitoring of these new sources will be touched on as well as recent developments in New Zealand.

Steve is a long time advocate for reducing light pollution including as the leader of the RASNZ Dark Skies Group since 2004. I am the current RASNZ President and am Chair of the Board for the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

Practical Astronomy October - Telescope Mounts
2021-10-18 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
This month we will be discussing the telescope mounts commonly used by amateur astronomers. This will include the pros and cons of the various types and how to set them up. The talk will be streamed live on the AAS youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Astrophotography Group October
2021-10-25 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
Easy targets for beginners in the Southern Spring/Summer sky.
We are also launching a summer competition to win a planetary camera.

Introduction to Astronomy November 2021
2021-11-01 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
Stardome’s Research Programme
what we do and why
Presenter – Grant Christie

This talk will provide an elementary overview of Stardome’s research programme.
Since 2004, Stardome has contributed to the discovery of many planets orbiting very distant stars, advancing the understanding of how planetary systems are formed.
We have also been studying what may be the most massive binary star system in the galaxy – WR20a.
Grant will briefly introduce the telescope, the CCD camera (with 8 filters) and how we make precision measurements of the brightness of stars.

2021 Burbidge Lecture and New Zealand Astrophotography Competition Results
2021-11-08 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
Burbidge Lecture: Diving through exoplanet atmospheres 8:00pm The study of exoplanets, planets that orbit stars other than the Sun, is fascinating new field of research. The question “how do stars and planetary systems form and evolve?”” is one of the biggest in Astronomy, and is at the root of one of the most important questions in science today: “How did we get here?”. I will take us on a journey to explore how we measure and understand the nature these strange new worlds beyond our Solar System. We will dive into the atmospheres of alien planets to discover the truly wild nature of planets in the universe from chains of rocky worlds around ultra-cool stars, to exotic clouds of molten rock in the atmosphere of ultra-hot gas giants.
Hannah Wakeford is a lecturer in Astrophysics at the University of Bristol, UK where she leads a group researching the atmospheres of exoplanets using observations from space telescopes. Hannah’s work focuses on the exotic clouds of giant hot Jupiters, down to chains of small rocky worlds around ultra-cool stars. She studied for a Masters in Planetary and Space Physics at Aberystwyth University with field studies in Svalbard to measure the aurora, and completed her PhD thesis on exoplanets at the University of Exeter before heading to the USA to work at NASA and STScI. Alongside her research she runs the monthly podcast Exocast all about exoplanet science and hosts the #ExoCup twitter competition for the public to crown the champion exoplanet of the year. New Zealand Astrophotography Competition Results We will be announcing the winners of the individual categories and well as the overall winner who receives the Harry Williams Trophy
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Practical Astronomy November - Visual Observing
2021-11-15 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
This month we will be discussing visual observing, including the way the human eye works, optics and eyepieces, sky conditions, ambient light and observing targets, from the Sun to galaxies.

Astrophotography Group November
2021-11-29 20:00 - 21:00
Astrophotography Group
Monday 29th November at 8:00pm, Online
DC Power for Astrophotography – the observatory and the field
(everything I wish I knew at the start)
Speaker/Host: Tony Cooper
Topics
DC calculations – energy, power, voltage drop
DC voltages and converters (19V, 12V, 7.2V, 5V)
DC connectors – cigarette, Anderson, DC plugs, Waygo
Batteries – types and advantages
Battery charging (excluding solar)
Measuring and monitoring current
Undervolt protection – battery and camera
Laptop settings to conserve energy
Mistakes I made
The talk will be streamed live on the AAS youtube channel at 8pm Monday 29th November
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Introduction to Astronomy December - Copernican Astronomy
2021-12-06 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
This month we will be discussing how the modern scientific view of Astronomy came about. We will delve in to the cosmological views of past Neolithic cultures and follow the broad sweep of progress from bronze age Sumer to the 21st century.

Monthly Meeting December - Backyard Observing with Jennie McCormick
2021-12-13 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
How does observing from your garden turn into serious astronomical research?
We all know that astronomy is a diverse and exciting science, that is probably what got us into it in the first place. However, it also offers numerous opportunities for amateur astronomers to be part of important research discoveries and at times, can produce some unexpected surprises.
This presentation is a pictorial look at how backyard observing turned into serious research observing from a suburban backyard in Farm Cove, Auckland.

Jennie is an amateur astronomer who conducts astronomical research from her observatory in Farm Cove, Auckland. She has been involved in the collaborative discovery of more than 20 distant planets, including a new solar system and Binary Star Solar System.She takes regular data on Cataclysmic Variable stars for the Center for Backyard Astrophysics and measures the positions of comets and asteroids for the Minor Planet Center.
In September 2009, Jennie discovered her first asteroid and officially named it, New Zealand!
In the late 1980’s she joined the Auckland Astronomical Society and for 15 years, worked as an educator at Auckland Observatory.Jennie is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand (RASNZ) and sits on the RASNZ Council as the Fellows Representative.
In 2008/2009 she coordinated the International Year of Astronomy 2009’s, 100 Hours of Astronomy event. This became the largest global science outreach event held to date and gave millions of people the chance to look through a telescope for the very first time while highlighting the wonders of astronomy to an extensive global audience.
When not observing, Jennie manages a community House in East Auckland, can be found growing vegetables, caring for native birds, photographing sunrise and sunsets from her Farm Cove garden and spending as much time as possible with her three young grandchildren.

Practical Astronomy December - End of Year Quiz and the Summer Night Sky
2021-12-20 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
This is the final meeting for 2021. We resume meetings on the first Monday of February and hope to be back at our normal venue, the Auckland Stardome Observatory and Planetarium. We will also be hosting a lecture from the postponed Beatrice Hill-Tinsley Lecture Series. This will be held on the evening of Monday 28th February, we will publish further details in the February journal.
The meeting will be in two parts. AAS council member Carolle Varughese will start the meeting with the end of year quiz. A fun quiz to test your astronomical knowledge. This will be followed by a review of the Summer Night Sky presented by AAS member and Stardome presenter Melanie Bruges.
This will be lived streamed on the AAS Youtube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Introduction to Astronomy February 2022
2022-02-07 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
Annual Fun Quiz Night!
by Chris Benton
It’s time we reflect on popular topics covered last year and do some revision in the form of a fun-filled quiz.
Join us online and have loads of fun recalling what you learned during the year and review the main points of each monthly session. The Quiz is designed for those who attended all, some or none of the talks during the year, so there’s no excuse to miss out!
The multiple-choice questions, each designed to lead into a teaching discussion, will include the topics: Dark Matter, Special Relativity, The Sun, The Night Sky, Star Clusters and Water on Mars.
We look forward to seeing you all on our YouTube website to view this online using the below link.
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Monthly Meeting February - Kumeu Observatory - Note the change to Tuesday evening.
2022-02-15 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
The Society operate the Kumeu Observatory, which over recent times, has been upgraded with a GSO 400mm Ritchey–Chrétien telescope and full frame cooled CMOS camera (QHY 600M) fitted with a filter wheel. The Society purchased these using funds from the Trixie and Barry Menzies bequest. Society member Tony Cooper will be bringing us up to date with the progress at the observatory, including resolution of issues with the dome, the equipment, software and the correct setup and calibration of the new camera. He will also report on the first scientific results from the new setup.

Astrophotography Group February
2022-02-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Online
Tintop Observatory

Tonight I will give a short talk about my home imaging observatory, the concept, build details and experiences.
Hope you can all make it and find it interesting.

Shaun Fletcher

Practical Astronomy February
2022-02-21 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
Sky mapping applications and learning the night sky.

Beatrice Hill-Tinsley Lecture
2022-02-28 19:00 - 20:00 | AUT WG403, 55 Wellesley Street East, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Note – This was rescheduled from last year. Venue: AUT Lecture theatre WA220
Vaccine Passport and mask wearing will be required for in person attendance. This is a free event but as we are limited to a maximum of 100 attendees for social distancing, you will need to register. Please register via the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/beatrice-hill-tinsley-lecture-tickets-271889959187
The Lecture will also be streamed via the AAS youtube channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Beatrice Hill Tinsley Lecture tour.
The Beatrice Hill Tinsley Lecturer this year is Dr Heloise Stevence
A Deadly Dance: When black holes and neutron stars collide
The RASNZ Lecture Trust are delighted and excited to have Heloise as this years BHT lecturer. She is an energetic, enthusiastic, educational and entertaining speaker well able to reach out to audiences of all ages and levels. Heloise gave excellent presentations at the RASNZ Conference earlier this year and was an obvious choice to swoop in and save the day when Covid-19 scuppered Professor Harvey-Smith’s tour. Dr Heloise Stevence enthusiastically accepted the invitation to give the 2021 tour.

Dr Stevence gave the following brief biographical background:
Originally born and raised in France, I moved to the UK to study Physics and Astronomy at the University of Sheffield. After working as a support astronomer at the Isaac Newton Group in La Palma for a year, I obtained my Masters of Physics in 2015. I subsequently started a PhD studying the 3D shape of Core Collapse Supernovae, and earned my title in Spring 2019. In July of that year, I joined the University of Auckland as a Research Fellow to research the evolution of massive stars to better understand how they die and produce Supernovae and Kilonovae.
I also started my public outreach work during my doctorate studies, in early 2016, and I have not stopped since.

Practical Astronomy March - The Autumn Night Sky
2022-03-14 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
Note the change from the normal date (the third Monday of the Month to the second Monday).
This will be an online review of the Autumn Night Sky. We will review the constellations and deep sky objects, best placed for observation over the coming season. This is a great way to start learning your way around the sky.
The talk will be streamed live to the AAS youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Monthly Meeting March - Te Awamutu Space Centre
2022-03-21 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
Dave Owen (AKA “Space Dave”) is the owner/manager of Te Awamutu SpaceCentre, an interactive museum that features space memorabilia,astronomy displays and activities. Customers include the generalpublic as well as schools, businesses, health organisations andspecial interest groups. Over the years Dave has developed a range ofreal-world and virtual resources to help promote astronomy and generalscience education. In his presentation, he’ll talk about his work andsome of these resources.
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Astrophotography Group March
2022-03-28 19:00 - 20:00
TBA

Astrophotography Group March
2022-03-28 20:00 - 21:00
Otto Gruebl will talk about Imaging of the Sun in CaK with an emphasis on ISS transits in CaK. he has found recent new and improved Processing techniques with Photoshop CC 2022
The talk will be streaming live via the AAS Youtube Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Practical Astronomy - Telescopes - what you need to know.
2022-04-11 20:00 - 21:00
In this meeting we will be discussing telescopes. We will talk about how they work and the different types commonly used by amateur astronomers. Along with some information on care and maintenance.
The talk will be in person at the Stardome. We have limited numbers with the social distancing requirements, namely 45 attendees in the Space room and up to 20 in the Matariki room for any overflow. The talk will also be streamed online via the AAS youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Astrophotography Group April
2022-04-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The Astrophotography group will be holding a general catchup meeting on the first return to the Stardome for several months. There will be discussion on imaging ideas for the winter season.

Monthy Meeting May - Cosmobiology: Recent Progress in Cosmology, Exoplanets, and the Prerequisites for Life in the Universe
2022-05-09 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
In this talk, astrobiologist Dr Charles Lineweaver discusses the history of life on Earth and what we can deduce from our understanding of the universe about the existence and history of life elsewhere. He recounts the ongoing discovery of large numbers of exoplanets — planets orbiting other stars — and what we can learn from the varieties of planets that are being found. He challenges us to think about what parts in the development of intelligent life on Earth would necessarily happen elsewhere and what parts might be unique to our planet.
The venue will be the Auckland Stardone Obersvatory
This is a rebroadcast of one of the recent Silicon Valley Astronomy Lectures.

Astrophotography Group May - The EV Scope
2022-05-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Gareth Davies will demonstrate the astrophotography capabilities of the Unistellar eVscope eQuinox Digital Telescope.

Practical Astronomy May - Beginner Astrophotography
2022-05-16 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
This month will be a basic introduction of the various types of astrophotography, the equipment used and associated issues. We will be discussing, telescopes, lenses, mounts, cameras and a brief introduction to some of the software used for acquiring and processing images.

Film Night May 23
2022-05-23 20:00 - 21:30 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
Space Exploration – The Age of Hubble
&
BBC The Sky at Night – The Pillars of Creation.
We welcome you back to our first movie night for some time, with a fantastic film.
From how Stars are made to chemical reactions in space and much much more, these two films are highly recommended.
We look forwards to watching this with you, in person, at Stardome Observatory & Planetarium
