Stardate 2016, held January 9 to January 11, was a great success. Over 80 adults plus children attended a smorgasbord of activities which included lectures, workshops, observing, a geological field trip, and live music. In addition, using radio telescopes set up by James Smith and Josh Gross, visitors were able to see on screen where the International Space Station was and what its cameras were seeing.
Andrew Larken, Ian Cooper, Maya Moore and John Honore securing the ‘all-important’ marquee. Photo by Edwin Rodley. Special thanks to Maya who also designed and oversaw the building of the shower units.
Left: The Milky Way rising over Stonehenge Aotearoa, Photo by Sigurd Magnusson. Right: Scorpius in the dawn twilight with Venus and Saturn in conjunction. Photo by Ian Cooper
As can be seen by the photographs above, attendees had the opportunity to observe and photograph the stars and nebulae of our summer night sky, and for some this lasted until dawn
Left: Ian Cooper, John Honore and Haritina Mogosanu; Right: Kent Hogan. Photos by Edwin Rodley Many visitors commented on the quality and variety of the presentations. I have to agree – these were some of the best Stardate presentations ever. Special thanks to our speakers: Alex Conu, Dave McCarter, Edwin Rodley, Haritina Mogosanu, Ian Cooper, James Smith, Prof. John Gamble, Josh Gross, Kay Leather, Kent Hogan, Mark Gee, Richard Hall and Rodney Bracefield.
Down the track, over the swing-wing bridge, and into the Waiohine Gorge. Photo by Edwin Rodley
This year’s Stardate also included geology, with a special presentation on volcanoes by Professor John Gamble. Members of the audience were able to handle and look at different volcanic rocks and the oldest sedimentary rock on Earth, dated at 3.7 billion years. This was followed on the Sunday morning with a field trip to the magnificent Waiohine Gorge. Special thanks to our guides Stefan Brown and Leonore Hoke.
Music Under the Stars. Left: Stefan Brown and Dr Rob; Right: Bernadette Whaanga and Jim Walmsley. Photos by Katrina Borthwick
Several of the Stardate attendees are musicians and at sundown on the Saturday, before observing began, we were treated to live music beneath the stars.
Finally I would like to thank all of those people who helped to organise and make this a special event, particularly Charlotte for her tasty fund-raising tucker and Kay for her administration work.
Next year, 2017, will be the 30th year that we have held Stardate in New Zealand. Each year it is held in January on the weekend closest to the New Moon. Thus, Stardate 2017 will be held January 27 to 29, at Stonehenge Aotearoa.
Pre-Stardate 2016 Information
The Stardate Updates and Programme can be found on the Meetings and Events Page
Stardate is being held from the 6th to the 11th of January 2016.
Stardate 2016 will be held at Stonehenge Aotearoa, near Carterton in the Wairarapa. This is the same venue where Stardate was held last year. The camp site will again be in the field behind the Visitors’ Centre. The main part of the programme will be based around the 8th, 9th and 10th of January but attendees will be able to arrive earlier by arrangement.
The facilities are still basic but we hope to add to these with time. Camping is the order of the day. Attendees will be able to use the toilets in the AV centre and basic showers will be erected. We do not have bunk rooms, however full details of local accommodation are available here:
http://www.stonehenge-aotearoa.co.nz/Tours++Treks/Booking+Your+Visit/Carterton+Accommodation.html
Stonehenge Aotearoa will be in full operation during the period from 10 am to 4 pm. A free guided tour will be arranged for attendees during Stardate and some observing may take place from the henge after opening hours (depending on bookings).
Registration costs will be very similar to or the same as last year: $23 for adults; children (pre-teens) accompanied by parents free (these costs have yet to be confirmed by the Phoenix Council).
We will arrange for a mobile caterer to visit the site, so that at least one meal during Stardate can be purchased on site.
This is an attractive site with good swimming holes in the Ruamahanga River just down the road. The wine growing areas of Martinborough, Gladstone and Masterton are within 30 minutes. There is a thriving tourist industry with many activities and venues available within the same distance.
If you are interested in attending Stardate 2016 please send an expression of interest to
Kay Leather: hellfa@xtra.co.nz with Stardate in the subject line.
We want to confirm programme details as quickly as possible and we want to put together a varied and interesting programme. If anyone has a presentation that they are prepared to make at Stardate 2016, please let Richard (hamal@xtra.co.nz) or Kay (hellfa@xtra.co.nz) know as many details as you can. Hopefully, we can have a preliminary programme in the November newsletter.
Finally I would like to thank all of those people who helped to organise and make this a special event, particularly Charlotte for her tasty fund-raising tucker and Kay for her administration work.
Next year, 2017, will be the 30th year that we have held Stardate in New Zealand. Each year it is held in January on the weekend closest to the New Moon. Thus, Stardate 2017 will be held January 27 to 29, at Stonehenge Aotearoa.
Pre-Stardate 2016 Information
The Stardate Updates and Programme can be found on the Meetings and Events Page
Stardate is being held from the 6th to the 11th of January 2016.
Stardate 2016 will be held at Stonehenge Aotearoa, near Carterton in the Wairarapa. This is the same venue where Stardate was held last year. The camp site will again be in the field behind the Visitors’ Centre. The main part of the programme will be based around the 8th, 9th and 10th of January but attendees will be able to arrive earlier by arrangement.
The facilities are still basic but we hope to add to these with time. Camping is the order of the day. Attendees will be able to use the toilets in the AV centre and basic showers will be erected. We do not have bunk rooms, however full details of local accommodation are available here:
http://www.stonehenge-aotearoa.co.nz/Tours++Treks/Booking+Your+Visit/Carterton+Accommodation.html
Stonehenge Aotearoa will be in full operation during the period from 10 am to 4 pm. A free guided tour will be arranged for attendees during Stardate and some observing may take place from the henge after opening hours (depending on bookings).
Registration costs will be very similar to or the same as last year: $23 for adults; children (pre-teens) accompanied by parents free (these costs have yet to be confirmed by the Phoenix Council).
We will arrange for a mobile caterer to visit the site, so that at least one meal during Stardate can be purchased on site.
This is an attractive site with good swimming holes in the Ruamahanga River just down the road. The wine growing areas of Martinborough, Gladstone and Masterton are within 30 minutes. There is a thriving tourist industry with many activities and venues available within the same distance.
If you are interested in attending Stardate 2016 please send an expression of interest to
Kay Leather: hellfa@xtra.co.nz with Stardate in the subject line.
We want to confirm programme details as quickly as possible and we want to put together a varied and interesting programme. If anyone has a presentation that they are prepared to make at Stardate 2016, please let Richard (hamal@xtra.co.nz) or Kay (hellfa@xtra.co.nz) know as many details as you can. Hopefully, we can have a preliminary programme in the November newsletter.
Ruamahanga River swimming hole
Panorama of campers at Stardate 2015
Stonehenge Aoteoroa
Previous Stardate Pictures
Relaxing after Stardate - a well earned rest
Pick your astronomer. Some of the attendees at Stardate 2013
Accommodation in Carterton
Back Packers
Taratahi SH2 North Carterton
Richard $35 379 8079
Bed & Breakfast
Fenick Hoose Carterton
Pauline $130 379 5646 021 533 179
Farmstays
Cavelands Farmstay 205 Cavelands Rd, Gladstone
Shona $110 379 7389
Gladstone Shearers Quarters 192 Longbush Rd, Gladstone
04 472 8568 027 4110 431
Stansborough Farm Gladstone (near Flatpoint)
Cheryl $120 04 566 5591
Under The Totara Trees 581 Matarawa Road RD1
$140 379 5379 021 379 600
Holiday Homes (Self Contained)
Awaiti Gardens Chester Rd
Jeanette $110 379 8478 027 333 2226
Belfry Villa 16 Howard St
Beula $150 379 8289
Bird Cottage 463a High Street South
$120
027 486 6713
Chestnut Cottage 10 mins West of Ctn
Kirsty $150 384 8369
Clareville Quarters Chester Rd, Clareville
$120 + 379 7389
Cottage on Somerset 16 Somerset Rd
Barbara 379 5551 0272 800820
Cottage on Kent Kent Street
Barbara $180 379 5551 0272 800820
Davey Street Davey Street
Jackie $100 + 0279 652864
Deco Delight 67 Park Rd
Kevin 379 8955 021 837 945
Fairweather Holiday Cottage 182 High St North
Karen
$150
021 399 105
Fair View Matarawa
Kathy $140 379 8170
Galtimore Cottage Kokatau Rd
Joanne $120 + 379 6757 027 310 4927
Gladstone Vineyard Retreat Gladstone
Mark $165 + 379 8563
Hokimai 269 High St North
$260 +
027 326 9107
Hugo's Place 104 Pembroke Street
$150 +
027 457 3055
Nellie's Cottage 41 Phillip St
Danel $130 379 6963
Pebble Mountain 508 Perrys Road, East Taratahi
Lyn and Peter $110 377 1066
Purnell House 334 Norfolk Rd
$90 + 378 6837
Showground Shack Chester Rd, Clareville
Marilyn $120 + 377 7690 0274 497266
Somerset Estate 20 Somerset Road
Barbara $180 + 379 5551 0272 800820
Stoneway Cottage 4 Andersons Line
Lynn and Grant $130 + 379 8779 027 322 3491
Terracotta Lodge 6 Rutland Road
Sylvia $160 379 8719 0274 453756
Totara Cottage 3224 Main Road North, SH 2
Margaret $85 + 04 566 2757 0272 728023
Triffits Loft 63 Richmond Road
Chrissy $150 + 377 0149
Holiday Park & Campgrounds
Carterton Holiday Park Belvedere Rd
Di 379 8267
Clareville A&P Grounds Chester Road, Clareville
Carol 021 211 5879
Hotels & Taverns
Marquis of Normanby 63 High St North
$55 379 7960
Royal Oak Tavern 321 High St South
379 6557
Lodges - 5 Star
Hoeke Lodge Hoeke Road
Coral $270 + 379 5926
Summit Lodge 4 Admiral Road
Tracey $260 + 372 7757
Motels
Matador Motel 187 High St North
Warwick $100 379 8058
Retreats
The Lodge & French Village Mangaterere Valley Road
Susie $120 + 370 3796
Please note: prices, catagories and inclusions (ie Breakfast supplies) are for indicative purposes only, please contact the accomodation provider for details.
Back Packers
Taratahi SH2 North Carterton
Richard $35 379 8079
Bed & Breakfast
Fenick Hoose Carterton
Pauline $130 379 5646 021 533 179
Farmstays
Cavelands Farmstay 205 Cavelands Rd, Gladstone
Shona $110 379 7389
Gladstone Shearers Quarters 192 Longbush Rd, Gladstone
04 472 8568 027 4110 431
Stansborough Farm Gladstone (near Flatpoint)
Cheryl $120 04 566 5591
Under The Totara Trees 581 Matarawa Road RD1
$140 379 5379 021 379 600
Holiday Homes (Self Contained)
Awaiti Gardens Chester Rd
Jeanette $110 379 8478 027 333 2226
Belfry Villa 16 Howard St
Beula $150 379 8289
Bird Cottage 463a High Street South
$120
027 486 6713
Chestnut Cottage 10 mins West of Ctn
Kirsty $150 384 8369
Clareville Quarters Chester Rd, Clareville
$120 + 379 7389
Cottage on Somerset 16 Somerset Rd
Barbara 379 5551 0272 800820
Cottage on Kent Kent Street
Barbara $180 379 5551 0272 800820
Davey Street Davey Street
Jackie $100 + 0279 652864
Deco Delight 67 Park Rd
Kevin 379 8955 021 837 945
Fairweather Holiday Cottage 182 High St North
Karen
$150
021 399 105
Fair View Matarawa
Kathy $140 379 8170
Galtimore Cottage Kokatau Rd
Joanne $120 + 379 6757 027 310 4927
Gladstone Vineyard Retreat Gladstone
Mark $165 + 379 8563
Hokimai 269 High St North
$260 +
027 326 9107
Hugo's Place 104 Pembroke Street
$150 +
027 457 3055
Nellie's Cottage 41 Phillip St
Danel $130 379 6963
Pebble Mountain 508 Perrys Road, East Taratahi
Lyn and Peter $110 377 1066
Purnell House 334 Norfolk Rd
$90 + 378 6837
Showground Shack Chester Rd, Clareville
Marilyn $120 + 377 7690 0274 497266
Somerset Estate 20 Somerset Road
Barbara $180 + 379 5551 0272 800820
Stoneway Cottage 4 Andersons Line
Lynn and Grant $130 + 379 8779 027 322 3491
Terracotta Lodge 6 Rutland Road
Sylvia $160 379 8719 0274 453756
Totara Cottage 3224 Main Road North, SH 2
Margaret $85 + 04 566 2757 0272 728023
Triffits Loft 63 Richmond Road
Chrissy $150 + 377 0149
Holiday Park & Campgrounds
Carterton Holiday Park Belvedere Rd
Di 379 8267
Clareville A&P Grounds Chester Road, Clareville
Carol 021 211 5879
Hotels & Taverns
Marquis of Normanby 63 High St North
$55 379 7960
Royal Oak Tavern 321 High St South
379 6557
Lodges - 5 Star
Hoeke Lodge Hoeke Road
Coral $270 + 379 5926
Summit Lodge 4 Admiral Road
Tracey $260 + 372 7757
Motels
Matador Motel 187 High St North
Warwick $100 379 8058
Retreats
The Lodge & French Village Mangaterere Valley Road
Susie $120 + 370 3796
Please note: prices, catagories and inclusions (ie Breakfast supplies) are for indicative purposes only, please contact the accomodation provider for details.
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