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Stardate 2016 Review

28/1/2016

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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.
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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.
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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
PictureLeft: 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.

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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. 
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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.
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Ruamahanga River swimming hole
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Panorama of campers at Stardate 2015
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Stonehenge Aoteoroa

​Previous Stardate Pictures

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Relaxing after Stardate - a well earned rest
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Pick your astronomer. Some of the attendees at Stardate 2013
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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.
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Stardate 2017

28/1/2016

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Friday January 27th to 29th at Stonehenge Aotearo
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​Stardate is a three day convention organised and run by the Phoenix Astronomical Society for people interested in astronomy and viewing the night sky. It caters for beginners through to experienced astronomers with a range of talks, workshops and observing sessions.  A large variety of telescopes will be available to explore the wonders of the Universe.  Stardate also includes geology, a field trip and live music. It is the place to meet other people and share ideas.

PROGRAM

Friday  27th January

Evening
Barbecue
Windows in Space and Time   Presentation by Alex Conu
This Island Earth                     Presentation by Richard Hall
The Oort Cloud and Trans-Neptunian Objects   Presentation by Paul Curry
Summer Night Sky (audio visual)
Laser Tour of the Night Sky   with Ian Cooper
Telescope Viewing & Late Night Movie

Saturday 28th January

Morning
Children’s Astronomy Programme with George Moutzouris
Checking out the wines - Visit to Gladstone Vineyard

Afternoon    
Buy and Sell Market
Capturing the Universe: Astrophotography workshop with Alex Conu & Ian Cooper
Mission to Mars   Presentation by Dave McCarter    
Tonga-Kermadec-Taupo Volcanic Arc   Presentation by Professor.John Gamble

Evening
Barbecue
Seven Sisters and a Pulsar   Presentation by Richard Hall
Polynesian Navigation   Presentation by Kay Leather
Listen to the Stars   Music with Jim Walmsley, Piripi and Bernadette Whaanga
Telescope Viewing & Late Night Movie

Sunday 29th January

Morning
Glow Worm Caves Field Trip   with Helen Hawke 

Afternoon
Telescope Trail with tour guide Ian Cooper
Thinking, Knowledge and Wisdom   Interactive presentation with Dr.George Allen
Celestial Mechanics for Beginners     with Ian Cooper  
It’s Rocket Science   Presentation by William Pickering & Kay Leather
Starmus   Presentation by Dave McCarter

Evening
Barbecue
Interview with a Navigator and shipbuilder Presentation by Sir Tom Davis & Kay Leather
Visions of the Cosmos
The Great Astro Quiz with Edwin Rodley and Felicity Kirkham
Telescope Viewing & Late Night Movie


Stardate will be held at the grounds and lecture theatre at Stonehenge Aotearoa. The site provides spectacular scenery and near perfect observing conditions. Plus there are lots of interesting places and activities nearby – vineyards, seal colony, ballooning, swimming, boating, walking tracks, cycling tours, etc.  The program runs on 27, 28 and 29th of January but attendees will be able to arrive earlier by arrangement.  Camping and caravans is the order of the day. Barbecues will be available and we have arranged for a mobile caterer to visit the site.   For those who do not wish to camp full details of local accommodation are available on our web site. Registration fees are $30 for adults, children (pre-teens) accompanied by parents free.  To book or for further information please email Kay at hellfa@xtra.co.nz, or phone 06 377 1600, or visit our web site www.stonehenge-aotearoa.co.nz 

Registration Form for Stardate 2017
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Stardate 2016 - Friday night

10/1/2016

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Friday 08 January
The Stardate programme started with the official opening this evening.  
Programme and Talks:
Ceres & the Solar Ring System - Edwin Rodley
Introduction to Radio Astronomy - James Smith
Comet Halley through the ages - Past and future - Ian Cooper
Summer night sky audio visual
​Laser tour of the night sky - Ian Cooper

Once started however, interest in the live displays from the International Space Station (ISS) prompted an informal programme change so explanation of the ISS feeds could be made. 

We thyen had a very informative talk from Edwin outlining the recent exploratory mission to the asteroids, especially Ceres and Vesta.

James Smith then followed with descriptions of different types of radio astronomy being pursued by the Phoenix Society and low cost ways in which members could become involved.

The final talk of the evening presented by Ian Cooper outlined the history of Comet Halley, the omens it portended and how it may look during future visitations.

Our evening rounded out with a presentation about the summer night sky and practical viewing directed with Ian's laser.
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The night sky at Stonehenge on Friday 08 January. The weather had cleared and Stardate people enjoyed learning about the constellations.
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