How do we know what powers the Sun and provides the energy essential to life on Earth?

According to the Standard Solar Model, as determined by theoretical models and helioseismological observations, temperatures at the core of the Sun reach 15 million degrees Kelvin. Under these conditions, and should protons be able to overcome the intense electrostatic repulsive forces via quantum tunnelling, hydrogen nuclei will fuse to form helium nuclei with the release of large amounts of energy in the form of high-energy photons and electron neutrinos. In turn, this would be sufficient to power the Sun for the past 4.6 billion years.

To be able to detect and quantify these electron neutrinos would validate the standard solar model and the theory of quantum physics. The problem, however, is that these subatomic particles are very elusive as trillions of them travel unimpeded through the Earth every second.

In this evenings talk we will discuss the various thermonuclear pathways responsible for the differing energy and flux levels of neutrinos, and then outline the ingenious experiments to detect and measure them. Find out what was meant by The Solar Neutrino Problem and how it was eventually solved.

I look forward to seeing you all there.

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 thought a range of different telescopes. Bring your telescope or binoculars, but if you dont have any there will be plenty there for you to look through.

During the day on Saturday there will be a full programme 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 Saturday.

Price:

AAS Member $30.00

Non AAS-member $50.00

This price includes bunk bed type accommodation.

Please note that you must book a place prior to this event to attend it.

To book please email Gavin Logan: gavinlgn@gmail.com  giving the names of the people attending. Phone 021 144 1055.

The Golden Age of Radio Astronomy: telescopes, arrays, SKA and beyond


Sergei Gulyaev is Professor of Astronomy at the Auckland University of Technology and Founding Director of the Institute for Radio Astronomy and Space Research. In his talk Sergei will outline the current status of radio astronomy both as science and technology. New radio telescopes united into intercontinental and global networks, compact arrays of radio telescopes, new instruments in the phases of design or construction – all contribute towards better understanding of objects and processes in the Cosmos. The talk will update on recent discoveries, and on the status of the most ambitious radio astronomy project of our time – the Square Kilometre Array.