Young Astronomers March - Where is the Dark Side of the Moon?
2022-03-14 19:00 - 20:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Welcome to the 2022 Young Astronomers programme! Our theme this year is ‘Mission to the Moon’. The programme caters for all school aged students that are curious about the night sky and would like to meet other like minded people.
We had a great first session in February where we investigated the question, “Is the moon made out of cheese?” Our question helped us inspect how craters of the moon were formed on the moon and what the inside of the moon might look like. Our next session is exploring, “Where is the dark side of the moon?” so that we can investigate why we see the moon.
This is a gentle reminder that we will be able to meet under the Red Light Covid-19 protocol with possible gathering of 40 people in the Stardome facility. Please make sure that:
– Parents and children in Year 4 and up must wear masks (as they would in school) during the session
– Parents and children 12+ must scan their vaccine passes on arrival
– Register your interest through our Eventbrite link to let us know you’re coming
– Please register all attendees – parent and child! It will help us manage our numbers
– Stay at home if you’re feeling unwell
– We request that parents must actively supervise their child/ children during the session to share their learning experiences.
Please note that our next meeting will be on Monday the 14th of March 2022 at 7:00 pm. If the meeting needs to be cancelled at the last minute, we will send you a message through Eventbrite. Your patience and kindness would be much appreciated.
Clear Skies,
Registration is required for this event. Tickets (free) can be obtained below.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/young-astronomers-meeting-tickets-276246519777?aff=ebdssbdestsearch&keep_tld=1

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

Introduction to Astronomy April 2022
2022-04-04 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
Measuring Distances In Space
Part 1: Principles & Methods
Descriptions of most astronomical objects such as planets, stars and galaxies usually include how far away from Earth they are. The quoted distance may involve millions of kilometres, light years or parsecs.
Tonight’s talk is Part 1 of 2, discussing the principles and methods used to measure distances across space. First, we cover what light years and parsecs refer to and when astronomers use them, followed by the principles of geometric trigonometry, standard candles, spectral redshifts, standard sirens and standard rulers. We will then review the numerous methods involving those fundamental principles.
In May, Part 2 will discuss how scientists use the cosmic distance ladder to calibrate these measurements and maximise precision. We will also discuss the Hubble tension and offer a solution.
Part 1 is solely online at our AAS YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety

Young Astronomers - The phases of the Moon.
2022-04-11 19:00 - 19:45 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
We will be exploring the phases of the moon in preparation for Matariki. This meeting will also include some time inside the planetarium as well. Clear Skies!
Please register via
https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/young-astronomers-meeting-tickets-311341489777
This is so we know the numbers.

Special General Meeting
2022-04-11 19:45 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
A Special General Meeting of the Auckland Astronomical Society will be held at 7:45 PM on Monday 11th April 2022. The venue will be either online, or at the Stardome Observatory depending on the pandemic conditions. We will advise closer to the time.
Reason for meeting.
Last year the Auckland Observatory and Planetarium Trust Deed was amended to bring it up to date. One of the changes was requested by the Society council. The change involved the method of appointing the two Trustees representing the Society. Previously the Deed stated that the Society President, Treasurer and their successors would be ex officio Trustees of the Auckland Observatory and Planetarium Trust. The Society Council felt that the position of Treasurer was encumbered with a lot of administration work and it shouldn’t be a requirement for the Treasurer to also serve as a AOPTB Trustee. The Deed was therefore amended such that the Society can appoint a second representative Trustee of their choice. The President (and successors) remain as an ex officio Trustee. This requires a method to appoint the second Trustee. Note that the change does not preclude the Treasurer being nominated and elected as a Trustee. Therefore the following addition to rule 12 is proposed:
12 e) In accordance with the Auckland Observatory and Planetarium Trust Deed, two members of the Society shall be appointed to the Trust Board as Society representatives. One of these representative Trustees will be the ex officio appointment of the Society President. The second member will be elected by the membership for the ensuing year. If for any reason the elected representative Trustee is unable to complete their term, the Society Council may appoint a replacement representative to serve as a Trustee until the following Annual General Meeting. Nominations for the position of elected representative Trustee shall be in writing, signed by the member proposed, the member proposing and the member seconding the proposal and shall be deposited at the registered office of the Society at least fourteen days before the AGM. Such nominations shall not preclude proposals being accepted at the meeting to fill the position of elected representative Trustee if no nominations have been received by the due date.
The meeting will be held at Stardome Observatory but it will be possible to join online via Microsoft Teams. The Teams link will be circulated.

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.

2022 Annual General Meeting
2022-04-25 20:00 - 21:30 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Members are encouraged to attend the meeting. The meeting will be held at the Stardome Observatory and Planetarium.
We will be presenting:
Society Reports, Stardome Report, Astronz Ltd report to the Society.
Election of Officers
Election of AOPTB Appointments Committee representative.
Election of AOPTB representative Trustee.

Introduction to Astronomy May 2022
2022-05-02 20:00 - 21:00 | Online
Measuring Distances In Space Part 2
The Cosmic Distance Ladder & The Hubble Tension
Speaker: Chris Benton
Descriptions of most astronomical objects such as planets, stars and galaxies usually include how far away from Earth they are. The quoted distance may involve millions of kilometres, light years or parsecs.
Last month, we discussed astronomers’ principles and methods to measure distances across space. This evening we briefly review those in the context of their ideal range before discussing the cosmic distance ladder as a tool to optimise precision over extra-large distances. We then cover the current expansion of space, known as Hubble’s constant (H0), in the context of “late-time” and “early-time” measurements, highlighting a severe discrepancy between the two, known as the Hubble Tension. Two case studies illustrate using the cosmic distance ladder, with one showing the Hubble Tension, while another offers a solution.
We look forward to discussing this fascinating problem in astronomy with you online using the link below to our YouTube website.
https://www.youtube.com/c/AucklandAstronomicalSociety
NB: Tonight’s meeting is online due to maintenance on the computer server. Otherwise, AAS meetings are now in-person.
Best regards
The AAS Team
(A comprehensive handout of Parts 1 & 2 are available on request by emailing membership@astronomy.org.nz)

Young Astronomers May - Features of the Moon
2022-05-09 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Features of the moon and why we tend to see images like the man or the bunny on the moon. This will include a video in the planetarium of Rona and the moon.

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

Practical Astronomy - The Winter Night Sky
2022-05-30 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The Winter Night Sky review is normally held in June but this year, the Stardome will be holding Matariki events all nights of that week to mark the inaugural public holiday. Therefore we are making use of the fifth Monday of May. There will be no AAS events on Monday 20th June.
The Winter Night Sky review is held in the Planetarium. We will review the constellations and deep sky objects of the Winter Night Sky.

Introduction to Astronomy June 2022
2022-06-06 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
The James Webb Space Telescope
Gateway to a Golden Era in Astronomy

Christmas Day, 2021, one of the most talked-about and highly-anticipated telescopes in history launched into the sky. Were you one of many people asking what the fuss was all about and what makes the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) so unique? If so, this talk is for you!
Tonight Chris Benton reviews who developed the JWST and why it is located so far out in space. On the technical side, he will discuss the range of infrared wavelengths the telescope will observe and the innovative design features enabling this. Chris will then highlight the JWST’s prime astronomical targets and how this opens a gateway to a golden era in astronomy.
There is something in this talk for everyone, whatever your interests. We look forward to seeing you all for an informative and fun evening.

Young Astronomers June.
2022-06-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
This month, our aim is to show our young people how to use a telescope to look at the moon, along with tips for how to care for them and what kinds of issues to look out for. Bring warm gear to be outdoors!

If the conditions are cloudy or rainy, we will arrange to still do some practical telescope work indoors.

Clear Skies, YA Team

Monthly Meeting June
2022-06-13 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Precision Metrology of the Sky: Advances and Problems of VLBI Astrometry
The use of Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) technique revolutionizes modern astrometry. It surpasses Gaia’s positional accuracy and allows conducting distance (parallax) measurements in the galactic plane far beyond the reach of optical telescopes. In this talk I will describe the method and report on some recent developments at the Warkworth Radio Astronomical Observatory in the field of radio (VLBI) astrometry. We will discuss problems of positional measurements in radio astronomy, talk about effects of radio source structure on determination of its precise position on the sky, about the perspectives of mapping spiral arms beyond the Galactic Centre with the use of methanol maser emission sources, learn about the “Gaia Sausage” as well as of a new class of pulsars based on rotating white dwarfs (rather than neutron stars).
Professor Sergei Gulyaev is the founder and director of AUT’s Institute for Radio Astronomy and Space Research (IRASR). Under his direction, the institute has built an observatory at Warkworth, north of Auckland, equipped with a 12-metre and a 30-metre radio telescope.
A hallmark of Professor Gulyaev’s research is his collaborative approach with the IRASR forging working relationships with radio astronomy and national aeronautical organisations around the world, including NASA, SpaceX, ESA (European Space Agency) and JAXA (Japanese Space Agency).
In one of many collaborative projects Professor Gulyaev and his team have used a technique known as Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) to link the Warkworth radio telescope with observatories across Australia, including ASKAP (Australian SKA Pathfinder). Acting as one virtual radio telescope they were able to get greater resolution or sharper cosmic images from their observations.

No meetings this Week
2022-06-20 19:00 - 21:00
Stardome will be running events all week celebrating the inaugural Matariki Public Holiday, so there are no AAS Meetings on Monday 20th June. The Practical Astronomy Winter Night Sky review was transferred to May 30th. The Astrophotography Group meeting will be held on Monday 27th Jun before Film Night,

Film Night June 27
2022-06-27 20:00 - 21:15 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
We are running two films tonight:
Search For the Edge of Space
The universe has long captivated us with its immense scales of distance and time. Many astronomers today have come to believe that what we can see represents only a small fraction of all there is. They are pioneering bold new theories that describe a cosmic landscape that extends far beyond the limits of our vision. What lies beyond the streams of galaxies that extend as far as our telescopes can see? Where does it all end? How do we fit within it?
BBC The Sky at Night Destination Moon 2022
2022 marks the fiftieth year since an astronaut last set foot on the moon. The Sky at Night team looks back at the legacy of the Apollo programme and forward to the future of lunar exploration.

Introduction to Astronomy July 2022
2022-07-04 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Life In The Solar System – Part 1
Guest Speaker – Jonathan Park
Could life exist elsewhere in the Solar System? Could it even get started anywhere else? People often wonder about the possibility of life on other worlds. Even if we eventually find only microbial life elsewhere in our Solar System, this will show life has arisen more than once around a single star in a galaxy of billions. Such a discovery would open the door for possibilities of life throughout the universe.
Tonight, in Part 1 of a two-part series, Jonathan will explore the potential for life elsewhere in our Solar System. We will ask the question “what is life?”, look at the building blocks of life, how life might get started, and Earth’s extremophiles – organisms which love extreme conditions. Next, we visit Saturn’s tiny icy moon Enceladus, to see what conditions are like there.

Monthly Meeting July
2022-07-11 18:00 - 19:00 | AUT WG403, 55 Wellesley Street East, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
Dr Steve Goldman
Observatory Scientist, SOFIA/USRA
Monday 11 July, 6.00 pm
WG403, Sir Paul Reeves Building, AUT City Campus
Abstract
Where did the material that makes us up come from? It boils down to understanding how stars affect their surroundings, and vice-versa. We think that a lot of Earth’s Carbon and Oxygen originally formed during the final stages of ancient sun-sized stars called Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) stars, but exactly how much remains unclear. These stars pass this material on to the Universe in the form of dust. The dust in the interstellar medium is then pulled together by its own gravity to create stars and planets like the Sun and Earth. Understanding the origin of dust may allow us to better-understand the formation of our Solar System, and how Earth-like planets may form across the Universe. During this talk, I will discuss recent results targeting dusty evolved stars in nearby galaxies with the Spitzer and Hubble Space Telescopes, as well as the Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA). I will also discuss the status and recent achievements of SOFIA, currently on deployment in New Zealand.
Bio
Dr Steve Goldman did his PhD at Keele University (Staffordshire UK), followed by a Postdoc position at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STSI, Baltimore, MD USA). Currently, Steve works as a SOFIA Observatory Scientist at the NASA Universities Space Research Association (USRA, Mountain View, CA US).

Young Astronomers July - Moon Landing Conspiracies!
2022-07-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
This event has been cancelled due to illness.
Kia ora koutou,
Welcome to the 2022 Young Astronomers programme! Our theme this year is ‘Mission to the Moon’.
The programme caters for all school aged students that are curious about the night sky and would like to
meet other like-minded people.
This month, our aim is to explore moon landing conspiracies! We will also aim to do some practical as-
tronomy and use telescopes if the weather conditions allow for it. Please note that our meeting will be
on Monday the 18th of July 2022 at 7:00 pm.
Clear Skies,
YA Team

Astrophotography Group July
2022-07-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
High Resolution lunar imaging with a planetary camera and telescope with Shaun Fletcher.

I will use he videos and images from my most recent session as examples, and give lots of hints and tips from my experience of these type of images.

Special July Presentation - Polynesian navigation and ocean-going waka
2022-07-18 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Speaker Stan Conrad

I started my Voyaging in 1985 on the double-hull Voyaging Waka Hokule’a from Hawaii. Then in the year 1992 I captained the Voyaging Waka, Te Aurere, that Sir Hector Busby built, on its maiden voyage to Rarotonga. In 1993, I was the skipper of Te Aurere on its circumnavigation of the North Island and in 1995 I captained Te Aurere from Tahiti to Hawaii, Te Aurere being the first Maori Voyaging Waka to cross the equator in centuries.

In 2012 I sailed Te Aurere, accompanied by Nga Hiraka Mai Tawhiti, Sir Hector Busby’s second Voyaging Waka, to Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

I’m so grateful to have the knowledge of Voyaging, Traditional Navigation and Waka building taught to me by Mau Piailug, Nainoa Thompson and Sir Hector Busby. Today I pass the knowledge to the next generation.

Film Night July
2022-07-25 20:00 - 21:15 | Stardome Observatory & Planetarium, 670 Manukau Road, Epsom, Auckland, 1345
A Journey to Our Nearest Stars – Part 1
The universe is full of all kinds of stars – from tiny red dwarves to majestic blue giants. Some of them dimly twinkle for billions of years while others burn up almost instantly by space standards.
Today we are travelling to some of the most exciting ones, with every new star we come across further and further away from our home planet. This journey of thousands of light years will start near our closest star – the Sun. Together with the Parker probe we will brush its scorching corona and take a peek in its fiery depths. After that we will leave our home system to go around Alpha Centauri and check out some exoplanets located closest to the Earth.
A Journey to Our Nearest Stars – Part 2
We continue our journey visiting Betelgeuse and then onto WR102 which is believed to be the hottest star in the known universe. So hot that it turns all objects in its vicinity into ash.
We look forwards to viewing this exciting and informative film with you

Introduction to Astronomy August 2022
2022-08-01 20:00 - 21:00 | Stardome Observatory, 670 Manukau Rd, Epsom, Auckland, 1345, New Zealand
Life in the Solar System – Part 2
Guest Speaker: Jonathan Park
Last month, in part 1 of “Life in the Solar System”, Jonathan explored the potential for life elsewhere in our Solar System. We looked at the building blocks of life, how life might get started, and Earth’s extremophiles. This was followed by a visit to Enceladus to see what it might have to offer in the way of habitability.
In Part 2, we first visit Europa and Titan, and have a look to see whether conditions on either of these moons might be suitable for any kind of life. Next, we head to Mars, where we examine evidence of rivers, lakes, and an ocean. We will see that life had just as much chance of getting started on Mars as it did on Earth, but if it did manage to get started on Mars, would there be any way it could have survived up to the present? Following this, we very briefly touch on some upcoming missions to Titan and the icy moons of Jupiter, finishing with a look at other possible oceans in our Solar System, which could number up to 14!
We look forward to seeing you all there.
