Young Astronomers
2025-02-10 19:00 - 20:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
What would happen if you got too close to a black hole? Would you be stretched like spaghetti? Would you ever escape? Are black holes gateways straight to hell? This month, we’re diving into the most mysterious objects in the universe: Black holes! From stellar-mass monsters just a few kilometers across to supermassive giants that could swallow entire star systems, each black hole is a universe of its own. Get ready to unravel their secrets, from insane amounts of gravity to the point of no return!
Just to note: If Earth were compressed into a black hole, it would be the size of a marble, and do you know black holes bigger than the solar system exist?

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.

Film Night February
2025-02-24 20:00 - 21:15 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
This is the first film night for 2025 and we have a great line up.
We look forwards to seeing you there.

The 7 Wonders of Our Solar System

The 8 Wonders of Our Universe | Astronomical Space Documentary Episodes 5 & 6

Damon Scotting presents two stunning short documentaries
Ancestral Skies | BBC The Sky at Night

The BBC Sky at Night team are back with this informative documentary, even discussing our very own back yard

Introduction to Astronomy March 2025
2025-03-03 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
NASA’s Europa Clipper Mission to Jupiter
Late last year, NASA launched a mission to Jupiter’s moon, Europa, in search of its potential to host life. Tonight, Chris Benton will discuss why NASA chose Europa and what special features attract astronomers and astrobiologists to such a mission. Come along and also learn about the spacecraft, how it will use gravitational assist manoeuvres to reach its destination, its various instruments and the science to be performed.

Young Astronomers Group March - Measuring Distances in Space
2025-03-10 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Measuring distances in space
Do we have to run the distance of a galaxy🏃, throw a spacecraft to travel for hundreds of billions of kilometers🛰️ or use a light-year long ruler to measure the distances in space📏?
What if I told you that scientists are able to measure the distances without the need of going to space?
And young scientists like you can do it too? Right here in our home on planet Earth?
Find out how we measure distances in space and how you can do it too in young astronomers group!

Monthly Meeting March - Observing with the James Webb Space Telescope: Glimpsing the First Stars
2025-03-10 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Dr. Dan Coe (Space Telescope Science Institute)
Observing with the James Webb Space Telescope: Glimpsing the First Stars
The Webb Telescope was designed to look back in time, to study the first generation of stars, and reveal our cosmic origins. Now in its second year of operation, JWST has already brought us tantalizingly close to our dream of seeing those first stars. Dr. Coe takes us on a profusely illustrated tour of some of the best images and latest results from the telescope, and tells us about his and others’ observations of the most distant stars and galaxies astronomers have ever seen, providing a view of the universe as it was 13 billion years ago.
This is a rebroadcast of one of the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series.

Practical Astronomy March - The Autumn Night SKy
2025-03-17 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
This will be one of our quarterly planetarium sessions where we will review the Autumn Night Sky using the Planetarium.

Film Night March
2025-03-24 20:00 - 21:20
We are running two documentaries this evening.
We look forwards to seeing you there.
Advances is Space Technology

A revolution in space technology is unfolding. New players in the launch industry are radically cutting the cost of access to space and our understanding of the universe is growing exponentially thanks to space-based research. We are viewing 2 parts of a 13-part series examining all things space, from Jupiter to space communication. What are the most recent discoveries, and what technology made them possible? Tonight we are viewing “The Launchers” and “Space Telescopes”

Hiding in Starlight | BBC The Sky at Night

Total solar eclipses, like the one seen recently in North America, allow us to see details of the sun that can’t be seen at any other time. The BBC Team discuss this and more in their latest documentary.

Introduction to Astronomy April 2025
2025-04-07 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The Search for Earth 2.0
Part 1: Discovering Exoplanets
With over 5,000 planets beyond our Solar System discovered to date, astronomers are unveiling a vast array of “other worlds”. Chris Benton will dive into the methods used to detect these planets, from the transit method to direct imaging, and how scientists gather data on their size, composition, and potential for supporting life. He will also discuss the concept of “Earth 2.0” – the search for exoplanets that closely resemble our home planet and could potentially support life.
We look forward to seeing you all there for this informative and stimulating topic.
Part 2: Origins, Conditions and Signatures of Life (what should we be looking for?) is scheduled for May.

Emerging Astronomers Group - The Solar System Scavenger Hunt
2025-04-14 19:00 - 20:00
Calling all kids and teens.
Are you ready for an incredible mission?
This month, we’re launching a Solar Systen themed scavenger hunt like no other!Can you sort the planets in the correct order? Can you spot Mars in the night sky?
Team up, crack cosmic clues, and race against time.The best team wins a stellar prize!
Whether you’re 6 or 16, this mission is for every young space explorer Don’t miss out. Your adventure begins now.

Monthly Meeting April - Astrophotography with Rolf Olsen
2025-04-14 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Astrophotography with Rolf Olsen
This week, we are privileged to have world-renowned astrophotographer Rolf Olsen share his expertise with us, discussing his observatory setup, workflow overview, and latest projects.
His many international achievements include the first amateur detection of light echoes from Eta Carina and Supernova 1987A, and the circumstellar disc around Beta Pictoris. Six of his images have been featured as NASA’s Astronomical Picture of the Day, and he has worked in collaboration with three professional astronomy teams for scientific purposes. He will also showcase and discuss his incredible Cantaurus A 320h image and his involvement with the Hubble Ultra Deep Field study.
His website for further information is https://www.rolfolsenastrophotography.com/
We look forward to seeing you all there for this special evening, which promises to be one not to be missed!

Practical Astronomy April 2025 - Deep Sky Objects for the Dark Sky weekend
2025-04-21 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
This month we will be reviewing some deep sky objects well positioned for observing at the Anzac weekend dark sky observing event at the Waharau regional park.

Northern Star Party – ANZAC Weekend, April 25th to 27th
2025-04-25 17:00 - 2025-04-27 11:00
Dark Sky Weekend
We are excited to announce the dates for the first Northern Star Party for 2025 to held at Waharau Regional Park and hosted by the Auckland Astronomical Society. We are holding the event over the nights of Friday 25th and Saturday 26th of April. This is ANZAC weekend so easy travel day on the Friday. Packing up on the morning of the 27th.
It 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. Refer to the club for further details.

During 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.
Films will be shown in the early evening on Friday and if appropriate on Saturday.
The full information pack and agenda will be released shortly. We just wanted to get the dates out so that you can lock them in now!

Prices
Members
Non-members

Early Bird paid by 20th April
$20
$40

Late bookings
$30
$50

No one night price.
To book, please log into Hello Club……….Click here for link to “Hello Club”
From the Hello Club page, you will need to log in.
Program:
Friday: Viewing, movie (TBC)
Saturday:
Workshops: Midday to 4:30 pm.
Solar Viewing during the day on Saturday.

Time
Activity
Details

13:15 – 14:15
Telescope Maintecnence
TBC

14:30 – 15:00
Astronomy Equipment
How to select the correct equipment for you based on your requirements

16:30 – 18:00
Telescope trail
Telescope trail

The full information pack will be available soon.

2025 Annual General Meeting
2025-04-28 19:30 - 21:30 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The Auckland Astronomical Society 2025 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 2025/2026.
All members are encouraged to attend.

Introduction to Astronomy May 2025
2025-05-05 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The Search for Earth 2.0
Origins, Conditions & Signatures of Life
In this follow-up lecture on exoplanets, Chris Benton will focus on the exciting quest for extraterrestrial life on planets beyond our Solar System. We will discuss what life is, what conditions life requires, and how and where life may have started and evolved on Earth before reviewing what types of exoplanets could potentially harbour life and the biosignatures of life in their atmospheres. Come along and join in discussing these and other stimulating questions of astrobiology!
All attendees receive a comprehensive six-page handout.

Emerging Astronomers Group - May
2025-05-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Topic TBA

Film Night May 2025
2025-05-12 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The Star by HG Wells.

While it is fiction, it’s Astronomical SF of the very best sort, set in the late 19th Century, when our understanding of multi-body dynamics was getting very good. The animations are made using AI, which is no bad thing – the enthusiasts created it saved a fortune in animating it that way.

Then, this will be followed by Gliese 710 and its expected entry into the Solar System millennia from now.
A short slide show of nearby stars, just to get a grip on what’s in the Local Fluff.

Pratical Astronomy May - Introduction to Astrophotography
2025-05-19 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
This talk will cover the basics for getting started with Astrophotography, including cameras, mounts, optics and image processing

Monthly Meeting May - The search for Takapō Meteorite
2025-05-26 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
The search and finding of the Takapō Meteorite and what we have since learnt about it. And Fireballs Aotearoa’s activities over the last year including the search for the Mahoe Meteorite.

Steve Wyn-Harris is a sheep and beef farmer in Central Hawkes Bay. He wrote a weekly national rural column for nearly three decades and has been a broadcaster for as long. He is on the executive of Fireballs Aotearoa, the meteorite search co-ordinator and media liaison for the organization. In 2023 he was awarded an ONZM for services to farming and rural communities.

Steve has also published a children’s book: ‘The Day I Crashed to Earth’ (target audience 5-13) about the finding of the Takapō Meteorite and for $20 anyone is welcome to a copy!

2025 Beatrice Hill-Tinsley Lecture - How Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we do astronomy
2025-05-28 19:00 - 20:00 | University of Auckland – Physics Lecture Theatre 1, PLT1/303-G20, Science Centre, 38 Princes St, Auckland, New Zealand
The AAS is co-hosting with the University of Auckland Faculty of Science, one of the lectures of the 2025 Beactrice Hill-Tinsley Lecture Series.
How Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we do astronomy – and why that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

This is a free lecture but booking tickets is essential otherwise you might miss out.
https://BeatriceHillTinsley.eventbrite.co.nz
Anna is a Professor of Radio Astronomy at Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics and one of the five inaugural AI Fellows of the UK’s Alan Turing Institute. Previously she has worked at the University of Southampton, the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies and the University of Cambridge. She has a PhD from the University of Cambridge and an undergraduate degree from the University of Bristol.
She is part of a team working on the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio-telescope, and she led the design of the computing and storage for the European SKA Regional Centre. She is currently the UK representative to the International Union of Radio Sciences for Radio Astronomy and Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Royal Astronomical Society’s Techniques & Instruments (RASTI) journal.
In 2014, Anna was honoured by the World Economic Forum as one of thirty scientists under the age of 40 selected for their contributions to advancing the frontiers of science, engineering or technology in areas of high societal impact. In 2017 she was awarded the Blaauw Chair in Astrophysics (prize chair) at the University of Groningen in The Netherlands for excellence in research, broad knowledge of astronomy and an outstanding international status in astronomy. In 2019, Anna received the Jackson-Gwilt Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society, awarded for outstanding invention, improvement, or development of astronomical instrumentation or techniques.
Lecture Trust Home Page:
https://www.rasnz.org.nz/rasnz-info/rasnz-lecture-trust-bht-1

Introduction to Astronomy June 2025
2025-06-02 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
Stellar & Exoplanetary Spectroscopy
Learning to Read the Light
Tonight, you will learn how astronomers read the light from stars to measure their temperature, composition, rotation and much more, plus the atmospheres of distant exoplanets.
We start by explaining how and why atoms absorb and emit light at specific wavelengths before discussing how a prism splits light into its various colours to determine a star’s many properties. This will include a demonstration of a prism and calculating our Sun’s surface temperature, plus images and step-by-step analysis of spectra taken with a local amateur spectrograph. Our discussions will then delve deeper into measuring magnetic fields and surface gravity of stars using this simple technique, before discussing the process and frustrations with analysing the atmospheres of planets beyond our solar system.
Come along and see how you can take some of these measurements yourself. This session is for everyone, from beginners to experienced members, who want to learn more about reading the light from stars and other objects.

Monthly Meeting June
2025-06-09 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
Matariki – Ngā Whetū o te Tau Hou / The Stars of the New Year
Join us at Stardome as we celebrate Matariki in 2025— a time of remembrance, reflection, and renewal under the rising stars of the Māori New Year.
In this immersive planetarium experience, you’ll journey through the night sky to explore the Matariki star cluster and its importance in Aotearoa and te ao Māori. Discover the rich purākau (stories), science, and traditions connected to each of the nine whetū, learn about the Maramataka (the Māori lunar calendar), and reflect on how Matariki guides us through the cycles of the year along with many other significant stars.
Whether you’re reconnecting with Matariki or experiencing it for the first time, this show is a great way to honour the season and gain a deeper appreciation of Māori astronomy and our place within the cosmos.
Mānawatia a Matariki!

Practical Astronomy June - The Winter Night Sky
2025-06-16 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
This will be one of our seasonal Planetarium sessions, where will will review the constellations and deep sky objects of the Winter Night Sky.

Film Night June 2025 - The Planets 25 Years Later
2025-06-23 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The Planets – 25 years later
Different Worlds
Shotrt slideshow : The Solar System – Still under construction
Beyond Pluto : Nix & Hydra, bigger stuff with more moons, Eris & Dysnomia, and others
Astro-webcams – the legacy of Dr. Bob Leighton
Agglommeration experiments on the ISS
Cometary impacts in the solar system since Shoemaker-Levy 9
Amatuer video captures of asteroid hits to the Moon – accretion in action
Interstellar objects entering the solar system

Introduction to Astronomy July 2025
2025-07-07 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The Apollo Moon Landings
The Lost Missions
In July 1969, Apollo 11 rightfully garnered a great deal of media attention and will forever be enshrined in history. However, five successful landings followed from November 1969 to December 1972, which history has all but forgotten. Chris Benton reviews all six missions, illustrating how each one was more technologically and scientifically advanced than the previous. Come along and learn what these pioneering missions achieved, who the astronauts were, plus enjoy a visual tour with lesser-known photographs from each mission, including panoramic views of the lunar landscape, and what the landing sites look like today. We will also discuss the findings of the many surface experiments and what the lunar rocks tell us about our Moon’s past.
There’s something in this talk for everyone, from those curious about all six landings, members wanting to know more about lunar science, to everyone who likes to enjoy high-definition moonscape images on our big screen. Come along to learn, enjoy and have fun!

Emerging Astronomers July - Quiz Night
2025-07-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
For all teens and passionate kids, do you want to test your knowledge? Join us for a fast-paced Astronomy Quiz Night packed with mind-blowing space trivia and epic prizes. Meet other teens who love the stars as much as you do and maybe make a few new friends. Bring your curiosity and a competitive spirit. Which star cluster is going to outshine the room?

Monthly Meeting July
2025-07-14 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
The JWST is the most expensive and powerful telescope astronomers have ever constructed. Its launch in 2021 started a new phase in our exploration of the cosmos, with the observatory’s golden mirrors producing instantly iconic images of the Solar System’s giant planets, nearby star-forming regions and galaxies, and our distant universe. The lecture includes the latest news from its studies of the early universe, a place lit up by what appears to have been a much more spectacular burst of activity than anyone expected.
This lecture was recorded by Chris Lintott on 28th May 2025 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 July - Sky Charting Software
2025-07-21 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
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 - The Planets - 25 years Later
2025-07-28 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Terra Firma
Last month, members of the society were interested in the difference between a volcano crater and meteor crater, as both of these are structures we can see on the surfaces of the earth, and the moon using even the smallest of telescopes. Space travel has let us find vulcanism everywhere in the Solar System, and we are starting to find evidence of it on exoplanets.
Vulcanism on the Earth and Moon
The mighty volcanoes of Mars, and the formation of Mariner Valley
The lava plains of Venus, and its mapping
Vulcanism of the Galilean Moons of Jupiter
The geysers of Triton
Developments since 1999 :
Vulcanism of Venus – observed eruptions
The changing face of Io
Evidence of geological processes of the Exoplanets
