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DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260223T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260223T210000
DTSTAMP:20260207T214514Z
CREATED:20260207T214514Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260207T214514Z
UID:3005-1771876800-1771880400@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Special General Meeting - New Constitution
DESCRIPTION:For the purpose of reregistering the Society under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.\nWhat is happening? \nIn 2022 the Government passed a law that changes the way incorporated societies like ours work and are structured. Each society is required to update their constitution to include language mandated by the Act\, and reregister by 5th April 2026 in order to remain on the register. \nWhat has changed? \nWhere possible\, the proposed Constitution (including our purpose\, AGM timing\, quorum size\, and overall structure) has been kept the same as our current Rules. Key changes include a clearer process for dispute resolution\, more flexible ways to participate in General Meetings\, clearer governance and transparency requirements\, and a number of smaller clarifications particularly regarding notice periods. As a result of the requirements of the Act\, the new proposed Constitution has many more clauses than our current Rules. In addition\, the Regulations formulated by Council in 2022 are being adopted as Bylaws of the Society under the Act. \nHow have the changes been made? \nA subcommittee of Council has met several times to combine our existing Rules with the changes required by the Act. This has been an exhaustive process requiring much deliberation. A draft Constitution was presented to Council in late 2025 for review\, and many amendments were made over several rounds of revision. Council has approved Version 10 of the Constitution as suitable to be brought to the Society membership for ratification. \nWhat is needed from me? \nPlease read the documents! Though Council has approved the version of the Constitution to be presented at the SGM\, it is not binding until formally approved by the Society membership. We want you to be well informed on what is changing\, so that any questions or concerns you may have can be addressed. It’s also possible that you have never heard of the Society Regulations (called Bylaws under the new Act)\, in which case a review is highly recommended. A link to the meeting agenda and documents has been sent to all members via email \nPlease come to the SGM! This is a very significant meeting for the Society\, as we must reregister by 5th April 2026 to remain on the register\, so high attendance is critical to achieve the required quorum to pass the necessary motions. If the new Constitution is not passed at the SGM\, it will put a lot of pressure on us to meet the April deadline. If there are any amendments still to be made\, the earlier the better. \nThe following motions are to be put at the SGM: \nThat the Auckland Astronomical Society be reregistered under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022.\nThat the document ‘AAS Constitution Version 10 – 24Jan26’ be ratified as the new Constitution.\nThat the existing Council members be the Officers of the Society under the Act.\nThat the submission of the contact details of the current President\, Vice-President and Treasurer as the AAS contact persons be approved.\nThat the document ‘AAS Bylaws – 28 January 2026’ be approved as the Bylaws of the new Constitution. \nNo other business will be transacted at the meeting. \nHope to see you there. \nMitchell Clark\nAAS President
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/special-general-meeting-new-constitution/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:SGM
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260302T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260302T210000
DTSTAMP:20260215T230833Z
CREATED:20260215T230833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260215T230833Z
UID:3052-1772481600-1772485200@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Introduction to Astronomy March 2026
DESCRIPTION:Gamma Ray Bursts\nby guest speaker Dr Nick Odom\nGamma ray bursts were discovered serendipitously in the 1960s. They remained a mystery for many years. Since 1997\, satellite technology has enabled their nature to be better understood\, thereby providing insight into the most distant and energetic explosions in the universe. Come along and learn about these fascinating events and what they tell us about the Universe. \nThis meeting will also be live-streamed on the AAS YouTube channel \nSee you all there!
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/introduction-to-astronomy-march-2026/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory\, 670 Manukau Rd\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345\, New Zealand
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260309T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260309T210000
DTSTAMP:20260307T231107Z
CREATED:20260307T231107Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T231107Z
UID:3076-1773086400-1773090000@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Monthly Meeting March 2026 - How can AI help us find exploding stars and Hungry Black Holes?
DESCRIPTION:Dr Heloise Stevance \nModern sky surveys can image the entire sky every night. In doing so\, they discover new cosmic explosions – from stars collapsing to stars being devoured by black holes. But the sky is vast and the alerts are many – far too many for humans to keep up with. When the Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) begins in 2026\, millions of nightly discoveries will flood astronomers. Partnering with experts in sky surveys and applied machine learning\, I am developing a Virtual Research Assistant that harnesses A.I. to help experts find the cosmic explosions that made the space dust we come from. \nDr Stevance is a Schmidt AI in Science Fellow at the University of Oxford working with international sky surveys (ATLAS\, Vera Rubin) to find extragalactic transients (supernovae\, tidal disruption events). She works at the interface between Astronomy and AI\, developing “Virtual Research Assistants” to help astronomers find the needles in the cosmic hay stacks. She is an award winning science communicator and early career astrophysicist (Beatrice Tinsley Lecture Prize 2021\, Caroline Hearschel Prize 2024)\, and her talk will be an updated version of her Caroline Herschel Prize Lecture. 
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/monthly-meeting-march-2026-how-can-ai-help-us-find-exploding-stars-and-hungry-black-holes/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Monthly Meeting
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260316T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260316T210000
DTSTAMP:20260227T231442Z
CREATED:20260227T231442Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260227T231442Z
UID:3061-1773691200-1773694800@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Practical Astronomy March - The Autumn Night Sky
DESCRIPTION:This will be one of our seasonal Planetarium sessions. We will use the Planetarium to explore the Autumn Night Sky. This is a great way to improve your knowledge of the Autumn constellations and learn about some of the deep sky objects to be found in them.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/practical-astronomy-march-the-autumn-night-sky-4/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Practical Astronomy
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260406T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260406T210000
DTSTAMP:20260321T012015Z
CREATED:20260321T012015Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260321T012015Z
UID:3080-1775505600-1775509200@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Introduction to Astronomy April 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Origin of the Elements \nThe making of everything – from us to gold rings \nEverything and everyone around you is made up of atoms from combinations of up to 118 elements. From the iron in your blood\, the calcium in your bones\, the silicon in your phone\, to the gold and silver in your jewellery. \nWhat are atoms and elements? Where did they come from and how were they made? Tonight\, Chris Benton will answer these questions\, including how stars live\, collide\, and die\, and importantly\, how many of them end their lives as massive supernova explosions. You will learn all of this and much more\, showing how the famous astronomer\, Carl Sagan\, was right in saying that we are all made of starstuff. \nAll attendees will receive a comprehensive\, multi-page handout that covers and expands on everything we discuss. Don’t miss out!
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/introduction-to-astronomy-april-2026/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory\, 670 Manukau Rd\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345\, New Zealand
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260413T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260413T210000
DTSTAMP:20260411T213615Z
CREATED:20260411T213615Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260411T213615Z
UID:3095-1776110400-1776114000@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Monthly Meeting April - Little Red Dots
DESCRIPTION:100 years ago this year\, Edwin Hubble published the first conclusive evidence that there were galaxies beyond the Milky Way. This lecture\, using new results from our latest space telescopes and ground-based instruments\, surveys the diversity of systems that we’ve found since\, from giant and beautiful spirals to mysterious Little Red Dots. \nThis lecture was recorded by Chris Lintott on 18th March 2026 at Conway Hall\, London. \nProfessor Chris Lintott is a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford\, and a Research Fellow at New College. \nHaving been educated at Magdalene College\, Cambridge and University College London\, his research now ranges from understanding how galaxies form and evolve\, to using machine learning to find the most unusual things in the Universe\, to predicting the properties of visiting interstellar asteroids. He was the founder of the Zooniverse citizen science platform\, which provides opportunities for more than two million online volunteers to contribute to scientific research\, and which was the topic of his first book\, ‘The Crowd and the Cosmos’. His latest book is ‘Our Accidental Universe’. \nProfessor Lintott is best known for presenting the BBC’s long-running Sky at Night program\, and as an accomplished lecturer. Away from work\, he cooks\, suffers through being a fan of Torquay United and Somerset cricket\, and spends time with a rescued lurcher\, Mr Max. He can often be found at the helm of Oxford’s science comedy night\, ‘Huh\, That’s Funny’.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/monthly-meeting-april-little-red-dots/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Monthly Meeting
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260417T163000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260419T110000
DTSTAMP:20260413T073024Z
CREATED:20260223T062529Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260413T073024Z
UID:3055-1776443400-1776596400@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Northern Star Party – April 17th to April 19th 2026
DESCRIPTION:Dark Sky Weekend\nWe are excited to announce the dates for the Northern Star Party for 2026 to  held at Waharau Regional Park and hosted by the Auckland Astronomical Society.   We are holding the event over the nights of Friday 17th and Saturday 18th of April. Packing up on the morning of Sunday the 19th. \nIt will be a weekend of practical astronomy and dark sky observing.  It is great opportunity to spend a weekend viewing the sky from a dark site\, on Moonless nights\, though a range of different telescopes. Bring your telescope or binoculars\, but if you don’t have any there will be plenty there for you to look through.  Also the society has telescopes available for hire though the hire will have to be set up prior to the camp.  For rental enquiries\, please email rental@astronomy.org.nz \n               \n       \nDuring the day on Saturday\, there will be a full program of practical astronomy – how to use equipment and various types of telescopes\, new equipment demonstrations and an astrophotography workshop. \nFilms will be shown in the early evening on Friday and if appropriate on Saturday. \n  \n\n\n\nPrices\nMembers\nNon-members\n\n\nEarly Bird paid by 12th April\n$30\n$40\n\n\nLate bookings\n$50\n$60\n\n\n\n  \nNo one night price. \nTo book\, please log into Hello Club……….Click here for link. \nFrom the Hello Club page\, you will need to log in. \nProgram: \nFriday: Viewing\, movie (TBC) \nSaturday: \nWorkshops: 1:00pm to 2:30 pm. \nSolar Viewing during the day on Saturday. \n\n\n\nTime\nActivity\nDetails\n\n\n13:00\nDwarf Mini and Dwarf 3 compact Smart Telescopes by Dwarf Lab\nThis presentation outlines their design\, operation\, and real-world performance in imaging deep-sky objects. Also covered is tracking\, image capture\, stacking\, processing and using their Stellar Studio processing suite.\n\n\n14:00 – 14:30\nEasy Image Stacking for Beginners\n\nWhy stack?\nStacking demonstration\nStacking tips\nSurvey of stacking software\n\n\n\n16:30 – 18:00\nTelescope trail\nTelescope trail\n\n\n\nFor the full information pack\, click here. \nSome possible visual observations on the nights\nSome visible with the naked eye\, some through small telescope
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/northern-star-party-april-17th-to-april-19th-2026/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260420T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260420T210000
DTSTAMP:20260418T225311Z
CREATED:20260418T225311Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260418T225311Z
UID:3102-1776715200-1776718800@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Practical Astronomy April - Variable Stars
DESCRIPTION: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.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/practical-astronomy-april-variable-stars/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Practical Astronomy
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260427T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260427T220000
DTSTAMP:20260426T001135Z
CREATED:20260418T225444Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260426T001135Z
UID:3104-1777320000-1777327200@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:2026 Annual General Meeting
DESCRIPTION:The Auckland Astronomical Society 2026 Annual General Meeting. The agenda will include reports from Society Officers\, Stardome report\, Astronomy NZ Ltd report and election of officers for the AAS Council 2026/2027 \nAll members are encouraged to attend.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/2026-annual-general-meeting/
CATEGORIES:AGM
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260511T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260511T210000
DTSTAMP:20260510T010700Z
CREATED:20260510T010700Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260510T010700Z
UID:3116-1778529600-1778533200@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Practical Astronomy - The study of Occultations
DESCRIPTION:In this meeting Michael Camilleri will give a presentation on Occultations and what can be learned from them. \nAn occultation in astronomy is an event where one astronomical object\, such as the Moon or a planet\, passes in front of another object\, like a star\, blocking it from view. Measuring precise timing from multiple locations of these events can reveal much information about the occulting object 
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/practical-astronomy-the-study-of-occultations/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory\, 670 Manukau Rd\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260518T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260518T210000
DTSTAMP:20260516T221531Z
CREATED:20260516T221531Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260516T221531Z
UID:3119-1779134400-1779138000@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Monthly Meeting May - Rocks from Space
DESCRIPTION:Rocks from Space \nwith Professor Jonti Horner \nJonti first became interested in astronomy at the age of five\, after seeing the BBC TV programme ‘The Sky\nat Night’\, and soon became an enthusiastic amateur astronomer. He joined his local astronomical society\nin the UK\, WYAS (the West Yorkshire Astronomical Society) at the age of eight\, and is currently honoured\nto serve as the society’s honorary president. To pursue his dream of turning his hobby into a career\, Jonti\nstudied a Masters’ degree in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Durham\, before moving to the\nUniversity of Oxford to undertake his doctoral studies. Once his PhD was complete\, Jonti worked as a\npostdoctoral research fellow at the University of Bern and the UK’s Open University before moving to\nAustralia in 2010 to work at UNSW. In 2014\, he moved to Toowoomba\, to join the University of Southern\nQueensland\, where he is now Professor of Astrophysics. His research ranges from the study of our own\nSolar system to the search for planets orbiting other stars\, as well as trying to understand the different\nfactors that could come together to make one planet more or less suitable as a target in the search for life\nbeyond Earth.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/monthly-meeting-may-rocks-from-space/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Monthly Meeting
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260525T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260525T210000
DTSTAMP:20260524T005447Z
CREATED:20260516T221832Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260524T005447Z
UID:3123-1779739200-1779742800@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Film Night May - Cosmos - 45 years Later - The Shores of the Cosmic Ocean
DESCRIPTION:The Shores of the Cosmic Ocean\nSubject: Introduction to the scale of the Cosmos using the “Ship of the Imagination”; cosmic calendar; Eratosthenes and the Library of Alexandria; humanity’s place in the universe. 45 Years Later: \n\nHubble Space Telescope (1990–) and JWST (2022–) have mapped billions of galaxies and precise cosmic distances; universe age refined to 13.8 billion years.\nDiscovery of cosmic microwave background anisotropies (COBE/WMAP/Planck) and accelerating expansion (dark energy\, 1998).\nExoplanets: from zero in 1980 to >6\,100 confirmed; billions likely in the Milky Way alone.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/film-night-may-3/
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Film Night
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260601T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260601T210000
DTSTAMP:20260529T034126Z
CREATED:20260524T035206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260529T034126Z
UID:3128-1780344000-1780347600@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Introduction to Astronomy June 2026
DESCRIPTION:NASA’s Perseverance Rover\nSearching for Ancient Life on Mars\nNASA’s Perseverance Rover landed on Mars in February 2021\, exploring Jezero Crater. Come along for this special evening to learn about the rover\, its instruments\, and how it conducts its science\, then take a visual journey through this fascinating crater. Hear about Perseverance’s key discoveries and their implications for our understanding of Mars and its past ability to support life. You will be surprised by how this incredible rover is helping scientists solve the ultimate cold case: Did Life Exist on Mars? A scaled model will also be available to view. \nAll attendees will receive a comprehensive\, multi-page handout that covers and expands on everything we discuss. Don’t miss out!
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/introduction-to-astronomy-june-2026/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory\, 670 Manukau Rd\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345\, New Zealand
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260608T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260608T210000
DTSTAMP:20260606T153130Z
CREATED:20260605T232237Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260606T153130Z
UID:3137-1780948800-1780952400@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Monthly Meeting June - The NASA Psyche mission: First Journey to an Unknown World
DESCRIPTION:The NASA Psyche mission is on its way to orbit a small but immensely ancient world in our asteroid belt: A metallic object\, the first humans will ever have visited. When our solar system was in its infancy\, thousands of planetesimals (tiny planet-like objects) formed in less than a million years. Many planetesimals later melted\, allowing metal cores to form inside rocky mantles. One of these metal cores may be revealed in the asteroid (16) Psyche. Dr. Elkins-Tanton\, the Mission Lead\, takes us behind the scenes in planning and carrying out this remarkable mission of exploration\, which launched in 2023\, and updates us of where we are over two years post-launch. \nThis is a rebroadcast of a Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture. \n 
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/monthly-meeting-june-5/
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Monthly Meeting
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260615T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260615T210000
DTSTAMP:20260516T221736Z
CREATED:20260516T221736Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260516T221736Z
UID:3121-1781553600-1781557200@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Practical Astronomy June - The Winter Night Sky
DESCRIPTION:
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/practical-astronomy-june-the-winter-night-sky-4/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Practical Astronomy
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260622T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260622T210000
DTSTAMP:20260622T010133Z
CREATED:20260605T232109Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260622T010133Z
UID:3135-1782158400-1782162000@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Film Night June - The Cosmos - 45 years later.
DESCRIPTION:One Voice in the Cosmic Fugue\nSubject: Evolution by natural selection; Heike crab story; origin of life; DNA and the unity of life. 45 Years Later: \n\nGenomic sequencing revolution (Human Genome Project 2003; thousands of species sequenced); horizontal gene transfer and RNA world hypothesis strengthened.\nLaboratory synthesis of self-replicating RNA and protocells; complex organics detected on comets (Rosetta) and asteroids (Ryugu samples).\nJWST detecting prebiotic molecules in protoplanetary disks.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/film-night-june-the-cosmos-45-years-later/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Film Night
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260706T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260706T210000
DTSTAMP:20260624T072230Z
CREATED:20260624T072230Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260624T072230Z
UID:3143-1783368000-1783371600@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Introduction to Astronomy July 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram\nClassifying Stars & Tracing Stellar Evolution\nArguably\, the most important diagram in astronomy\, the Hertzsprung-Russell Diagram (HRD)\, shows how plotting the brightness of stars against their surface temperature enables the classification into different stellar types and maps their life cycles. \nLearn how astronomers measure the true brightness or luminosity of stars and their surface temperature\, followed by how this is used to construct an HRD and interpret the information provided\, including what’s going on inside stars at each stage of their lifespan to cause them to expand and change colour.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/introduction-to-astronomy-july-2026/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory\, 670 Manukau Rd\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345\, New Zealand
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260713T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260713T210000
DTSTAMP:20260711T224959Z
CREATED:20260711T224959Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260711T224959Z
UID:3156-1783972800-1783976400@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Monthly Meeting July - Pluto Isn’t a Planet
DESCRIPTION:In 2006\, the International Astronomical Union adopted a definition of a planet that demoted Pluto to just one of what is likely hundreds of dwarf planets in our Solar System. Exploring the remote Kuiper Belt\, this lecture challenges us to think about what kinds of scientific questions are worth our attention\, what it means to name something – and why Pluto is worth caring about anyway. \nThis lecture was recorded by Chris Lintott on the 3rd of June 2026 \nProfessor Chris Lintott is a Professor of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford\, and a Research Fellow at New College. \nHaving been educated at Magdalene College\, Cambridge and University College London\, his research now ranges from understanding how galaxies form and evolve\, to using machine learning to find the most unusual things in the Universe\, to predicting the properties of visiting interstellar asteroids. He was the founder of the Zooniverse citizen science platform\, which provides opportunities for more than two million online volunteers to contribute to scientific research\, and which was the topic of his first book\, ‘The Crowd and the Cosmos’. His latest book is ‘Our Accidental Universe’. \nProfessor Lintott is best known for presenting the BBC’s long-running Sky at Night program\, and as an accomplished lecturer. Away from work\, he cooks\, suffers through being a fan of Torquay United and Somerset cricket\, and spends time with a rescued lurcher\, Mr Max. He can often be found at the helm of Oxford’s science comedy night\, ‘Huh\, That’s Funny’.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/monthly-meeting-july-pluto-isnt-a-planet/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Monthly Meeting
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260720T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260720T210000
DTSTAMP:20260718T112328Z
CREATED:20260718T112328Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T112328Z
UID:3158-1784577600-1784581200@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Practical Astronomy July - Equatorial Mounts: Why We Use Them and How They Work
DESCRIPTION:Why does a telescope need an equatorial mount\, and what makes it different from simpler fixed or altitude–azimuth designs? This beginner-friendly talk starts with the basic problem of following objects across the night sky\, then uses practical examples and simulations to explain tracking\, field rotation and the deceptively simple idea behind an equatorial mount. \nCurator of Instruments\, Steve Hennerley\, follows the development of telescope mounts from early transit instruments and seventeenth-century helioscopes through to modern computer-controlled equipment. He then moves into the practicalities of setting up an equatorial mount in the Southern Hemisphere\, including finding true south\, levelling the mount\, polar scopes\, drift alignment and electronic polar-alignment tools. \nNo previous knowledge is assumed\, making this an accessible introduction for visual observers and anyone beginning to explore astrophotography.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/practical-astronomy-july-equatorial-mounts-why-we-use-them-and-how-they-work/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Practical Astronomy
ORGANIZER;CN="Steve Hennerley":MAILTO:steve.hennerley@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260727T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260727T210000
DTSTAMP:20260725T094232Z
CREATED:20260725T094232Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260725T094232Z
UID:3167-1785182400-1785186000@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Film Night July - Harmony of the Worlds
DESCRIPTION:We continue our revisiting of The Cosmos Series. \n  \nEpisode 3: \nSubject: History of astronomy from astrology to Kepler’s laws; Ptolemy\, Copernicus\, Brahe\, Galileo; scientific method triumph. 45 Years Later: \nKepler Space Telescope (2009–2018) discovered thousands of exoplanets using transit method\, validating Kepler’s laws on a galactic scale.\nGaia mission (2013–) mapped precise positions and motions of >1 billion stars\, refining galactic structure.\nGeneral relativity tests passed with ever-higher precision (e.g.\, gravitational waves\, LIGO 2015).
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/film-night-july-harmony-of-the-worlds/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Film Night
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260803T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260803T210000
DTSTAMP:20260705T064734Z
CREATED:20260705T064644Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260705T064734Z
UID:3152-1785787200-1785790800@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Introduction to Astronomy August 2026
DESCRIPTION:Titan: Earth’s Frozen Twin\nGuest speaker: Jonathan Park \nIn many ways\, Saturn’s moon Titan looks uncannily familiar: dunes like those in Earth’s deserts\, mountains\, branching river channels\, rain\, lakes\, and seas. But here\, methane takes the place of water\, and frozen water stands in for solid rock. Beneath Titan’s thick orange haze lies a world near minus 180 °C\, where chemistry\, climate\, and the possibility of life follow entirely different rules. This presentation explores how we get there\, what we find\, and what NASA’s Dragonfly mission hopes to discover when it arrives in the 2030s.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/introduction-to-astronomy-august-2026/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory\, 670 Manukau Rd\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345\, New Zealand
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260810T190000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260810T200000
DTSTAMP:20260809T123011Z
CREATED:20260809T123011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T123011Z
UID:3183-1786388400-1786392000@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Emerging Astronomers - Is There Life on Venus?
DESCRIPTION:We’ve changed our minds about that several times. In the 1950s we pictured a warm jungle world. Then multiple spacecraft found a surface at ~400°C that destroyed every lander we sent. Now the question has reopened\, this time about Venus’s clouds\, and about a chemical signal nobody can explain. \nTim Sol is a Year 11 student at Wentworth Computer Science College\, Auckland\, and the new leader of the AAS Junior sessions\, having volunteered with the Society through 2026’s Matariki solar-telescope outreach. He is a 2025 “15@15 Youth Building Democracy” winner and placed 3rd in  the 2025 “Mars 2040” Space Competition (Arts & Business College of London). He founded and led his previous school’s Space Club and co-runs Open Process (a YouTube channel about engineering\, robotics\, and AI).
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/emerging-astronomers-is-there-life-on-venus/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:Young Astronomers
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260810T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260810T210000
DTSTAMP:20260809T010339Z
CREATED:20260809T010339Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T010339Z
UID:3172-1786392000-1786395600@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Monthly Meeting August - Shining a Light on Dark Matter
DESCRIPTION:Carnegie Science Observatories postdoc Andrew Robertson focuses on one of the key mysteries in contemporary astronomy: the nature of dark matter. We know that this mysterious form of matter makes up about 85 percent of the mass in the universe\, but astronomers still don’t know exactly what it is. Drawing on his experience as a former postdoc at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory\, Robertson will explain how astronomers came to believe that dark matter exists\, and how some gargantuan collisions of galaxy clusters—particularly the famous “Bullet Cluster”—provide some of the strongest supporting evidence for its existence. He’ll demonstrate how these extreme cosmic collisions can be used to probe the fundamental properties of dark matter itself. Dr. Andrew Robertson – Postdoctoral Fellow\, Carnegie Science Observatories. \nThis is a rebroadcast of a Carnegie Science Lecture \n 
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/monthly-meeting-august-shining-a-light-on-dark-matter/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Monthly Meeting
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260817T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260817T210000
DTSTAMP:20260809T013717Z
CREATED:20260809T013717Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T013717Z
UID:3174-1786996800-1787000400@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Practical Astronomy August - An overview of Astronomy software for Amateurs.
DESCRIPTION:This month will be an overview of Astronomy software for amateurs\, particularly Sky Charting software for desktop and mobile.  We will also cover some available options for telescope mount control\, image capture and processing.  
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/practical-astronomy-august-an-overview-of-astronomy-software-for-amateurs/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Practical Astronomy
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260824T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260824T210000
DTSTAMP:20260809T014342Z
CREATED:20260809T014342Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T014342Z
UID:3179-1787601600-1787605200@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Film Night August - The Cosmos revisited 45 Years later - Heaven and Hell
DESCRIPTION:Episode 4: Heaven and Hell\nSubject: Comets\, asteroids\, and impacts (Tunguska\, Venus greenhouse); planetary evolution and catastrophes. 45 Years Later: \n\nChicxulub crater confirmed as dinosaur extinction cause (1980s–1990s); multiple impact threats mapped (NEOWISE\, etc.).\nVenus: confirmed runaway greenhouse; no life but extreme lessons for Earth climate.\nJupiter’s Shoemaker-Levy 9 impact (1994) observed live; DART mission (2022) demonstrated asteroid deflection technology.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/film-night-august-the-cosmos-revisited-45-years-later-heaven-and-hell/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Film Night
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260907T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260907T210000
DTSTAMP:20260723T015939Z
CREATED:20260723T015939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T015939Z
UID:3165-1788811200-1788814800@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Introduction to Astronomy September 2026
DESCRIPTION:Large Scale Structure of the Universe\nThis evening\, Chris Benton will discuss how the Universe is structured on large scales. Starting with our location in the Milky Way\, we move out through the Local Group into the Virgo and Laniakea Superclusters of galaxies and beyond to reveal the large-scale structures of the Universe\, as shown in a video travelling through space made from Sloan Digital Sky Survey data on observed galaxy positions and distances. Come and learn about the most recently discovered structures involving observations of Gamma Ray Bursts and distant quasars\, and how they fit in with what we know about the cosmos on grand scales.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/introduction-to-astronomy-september-2026/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory\, 670 Manukau Rd\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345\, New Zealand
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260914T190000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260914T195000
DTSTAMP:20260823T015143Z
CREATED:20260823T015143Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260823T015143Z
UID:3199-1789412400-1789415400@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Emerging Astronomers September - What Are Saturn's Rings\, Really
DESCRIPTION:Everyone knows Saturn has rings — but what are they made of\, where did they come from\, and how long will they last? Junior sessions continue on Monday 14 September. We’ll go past the famous picture to the real thing: rings sculpted by tiny moons\, a world with rivers and rain where you could strap on wings and fly\, and another firing water into space from a hidden ocean that might hold life. Saturn is at its best in our sky right now\, so everyone leaves with something to go and look at.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/emerging-astronomers-september-what-are-saturns-rings-really/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:Young Astronomers
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260921T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260921T210000
DTSTAMP:20260809T013948Z
CREATED:20260809T013938Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T013948Z
UID:3176-1790020800-1790024400@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Practical Astronomy September - The Spring Night Sky
DESCRIPTION:This will be one of our seasonal Planetarium sessions. We will use the Planetarium to explore the Spring Night Sky. This is a great way to improve your knowledge of the Spring constellations and learn about some of the deep sky objects to be found in them.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/practical-astronomy-september-the-spring-night-sky-3/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Practical Astronomy
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260928T200000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20260928T210000
DTSTAMP:20260809T014613Z
CREATED:20260809T014613Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260809T014613Z
UID:3181-1790625600-1790629200@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:Film Night September - The Cosmos 45 Years Later - Blues for a Red Planet
DESCRIPTION:Episode 5: Blues for a Red Planet\nSubject: Mars exploration history; Percival Lowell’s canals; Viking missions (1976) and search for life. 45 Years Later: \n\nRovers (Sojourner 1997 → Perseverance 2021): ancient river/lake beds\, organic molecules\, “leopard spot” biosignature candidate (2024).\nPerseverance caching samples for return (2030s); evidence of past habitability strengthened dramatically.\nMethane detections and subsurface ice; potential for past microbial life now a major focus.
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/film-night-september-the-cosmos-45-years-later-blues-for-a-red-planet/
LOCATION:Stardome Observatory & Planetarium\, 670 Manukau Road\, Epsom\, Auckland\, 1345
CATEGORIES:AAS Meetings,Film Night
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261115T183000
DTEND;TZID=Pacific/Auckland:20261115T220000
DTSTAMP:20260821T083150Z
CREATED:20260819T081153Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260821T083150Z
UID:3191-1794767400-1794780000@www.astronomy.org.nz
SUMMARY:2026 Annual Burbidge Dinner
DESCRIPTION:This is the Annual Burbidge Dinner held in honour of the principle founder of the Auckland Astronomical Society\, Professor Percy Burbidge. Prior to the start of dinner we will be presenting the awards for the winners of the 2026 New Zealand Astrophotography Competition. The Dinner will be followed by the Burbidge Lecture\, which will be delivered by Dr Culan Howlett from the University of Queensland. \nDr Howlett is a Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics in the School of Mathematics and Physics at the University of Queensland\, and recipient of the 2026 Pawsey Medal from the Australian Academy of Science. His research focuses on mapping the positions and motions of millions of galaxies to understand how our Universe has evolved since the Big Bang — and to shed light on the mysterious dark matter and dark energy that make up 95% of everything in it. \nDr Howlett works on some of the largest galaxy surveys ever undertaken including: \nDESI (the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument) — a project mapping tens of millions of galaxies across the Universe.\n4HS (the 4M OST Hemisphere Survey) — a new southern-sky survey that began observations in 2026\, in which he leads the cosmology team. \nTicket Information \nThe price includes attendance and a buffet dinner. There will be a cash bar available. The final booking date is 8th November 2026. \nEarlybird price for members and their guests $65 pp until 31st October 2026. After 31st October until 8th November\, the price for members and their guests is $75 pp. \nMembers may book tickets by logging in to the Hello Club Auckland Astronomical Society membership portal and select 2026 Burbidge Dinner from the Upcoming Events:  \nhttps://members.astronomy.org.nz/ \nEarlybird price for non members is $75 pp until 31st October 2026. After 31st October until 8th November\, the price for non members is $85 pp. Note that non members are required to pay the ticket fee at time of booking. Non members can purchase tickets by emailing treasurer @ astronomy dot org dot nz \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://www.astronomy.org.nz/event/2026-annual-burbidge-dinner/
LOCATION:Sorrento In the Park\, Cornwall Park\, Auckland\, New Zealand
CATEGORIES:Burbidge Dinner
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END:VCALENDAR