Society Meetings and Events
December 2019 to February 2020
December 2019 to February 2020
Throughout 2019 Society meetings and observing evenings are to be held on the 1st Saturday of each month at the Clubrooms, 51 Ahiaruhe Road, Carterton.
December 2019
2020: A Space Odyssey
7pm Saturday December 7th at the Society Clubrooms, Wairarapa
We are about to embark upon a series of major astronomical projects that will be special for all New Zealanders. The prime topic for the evening will be a report on the development of a Science Centre at Stonehenge Aotearoa… which is now underway. In addition to displays, some of which will be electronic and/or interactive, we have a whole host of programmes for the public. These will be presented at the meeting. However, some programmes (see below) are already underway.
This, our last Phoenix meeting of the year, will include a shared meal/barbecue, socialising and observing. Bring a plate, a bottle, and/or something for the barbecue.
Stargazers
Stonehenge Stargazers, Wairarapa
Stonehenge Stargazers, Wairarapa will provide astronomy programmes and observing sessions every Saturday. These sessions will be open to the public. The fee will be: Adults $15, Seniors $10, School students $5, Phoenix Society members no charge. Bookings are recommended.
Stonehenge Stargazers, Wairarapa will provide astronomy programmes and observing sessions every Saturday. These sessions will be open to the public. The fee will be: Adults $15, Seniors $10, School students $5, Phoenix Society members no charge. Bookings are recommended.
Introduction to Astronomy
Astronomy Course: December 7 & 8, and again on December 14 & 15
This two-day beginner’s astronomy course at Stonehenge Aotearoa runs from 12:30 pm to 5 pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, and again on December 14 and 15. Weather permitting, there will be a tour of the night sky and telescope viewing in the evenings at 8 pm.
Wairarapa is now gearing to be a Dark Sky Reserve, perhaps the largest in the world. Why should we care about it? Combating light pollution not only protects the wildlife and respects the natural cycles of humans, plants and animals, but enables us to see the stars, the night sky in its true magnificence. It re-connects us with our heritage. Come and learn why our sky is so important, and our place in the universe.
Astronomy was always at the forefront of the quest for understanding our surroundings. Wondering what the stars were has been a huge drive for science and progress. Discover our wonderful night sky with this crash course introduction to astronomy.
Part 1 (Saturday) – Putting things in perspective: We will talk about the distances of the Moon and the planets. We will learn about our place in the Universe, the cosmic perspective and then, moving closer to home, we will have a look at the Solar System, the planets, asteroids and our Moon.
Part 2 (Sunday) – Navigating the changing sky: Constellations, the zodiac, and asterisms. We also look at the tools that help our understanding of the night sky: the armillary sphere, the planisphere, and the sextant. Travelling from one pole to the other, we will look at changes in the night sky. We will learn about magnitudes and the qualities of the night sky, light pollution and why we should care about it.
Fee: The fee for the 2-day course is: Adults $100, Seniors $80, School students $50, Phoenix Society members no charge. Bookings are essential. Phone (06) 377 1600
Astronomy Course: December 7 & 8, and again on December 14 & 15
This two-day beginner’s astronomy course at Stonehenge Aotearoa runs from 12:30 pm to 5 pm on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 December, and again on December 14 and 15. Weather permitting, there will be a tour of the night sky and telescope viewing in the evenings at 8 pm.
Wairarapa is now gearing to be a Dark Sky Reserve, perhaps the largest in the world. Why should we care about it? Combating light pollution not only protects the wildlife and respects the natural cycles of humans, plants and animals, but enables us to see the stars, the night sky in its true magnificence. It re-connects us with our heritage. Come and learn why our sky is so important, and our place in the universe.
Astronomy was always at the forefront of the quest for understanding our surroundings. Wondering what the stars were has been a huge drive for science and progress. Discover our wonderful night sky with this crash course introduction to astronomy.
Part 1 (Saturday) – Putting things in perspective: We will talk about the distances of the Moon and the planets. We will learn about our place in the Universe, the cosmic perspective and then, moving closer to home, we will have a look at the Solar System, the planets, asteroids and our Moon.
Part 2 (Sunday) – Navigating the changing sky: Constellations, the zodiac, and asterisms. We also look at the tools that help our understanding of the night sky: the armillary sphere, the planisphere, and the sextant. Travelling from one pole to the other, we will look at changes in the night sky. We will learn about magnitudes and the qualities of the night sky, light pollution and why we should care about it.
Fee: The fee for the 2-day course is: Adults $100, Seniors $80, School students $50, Phoenix Society members no charge. Bookings are essential. Phone (06) 377 1600
Legends of the Solstice
7:30 pm Sunday December 22 at Stonehenge Aotearoa
Sundown on December 22 is the time of solstice – mid-summer, the longest day, in the southern hemisphere, mid-winter in the north. But 2,000 years ago this solstice occurred on December 25. At Stonehenge Aotearoa we have put together a special presentation on legends associated with the solstice: What was the ‘Star of Bethlehem’, who were the ‘Three Kings’, and just who were those ‘Shepherds watching their flocks by night’? Who was ‘Father Christmas’? Why did Rudolph have a red nose, and do you know what the holly berries represent? It might come as a shock. Here are the tales from antiquity that formed a cornerstone to the rise of civilisation.
The programme includes, weather permitting, viewing the Sun set over the Summer Solstice Heel Stone. Bookings are essential. Fee: Adults $20, Seniors $15, Children $5, Phoenix Society members no charge.
January 2020
7:30 pm Sunday December 22 at Stonehenge Aotearoa
Sundown on December 22 is the time of solstice – mid-summer, the longest day, in the southern hemisphere, mid-winter in the north. But 2,000 years ago this solstice occurred on December 25. At Stonehenge Aotearoa we have put together a special presentation on legends associated with the solstice: What was the ‘Star of Bethlehem’, who were the ‘Three Kings’, and just who were those ‘Shepherds watching their flocks by night’? Who was ‘Father Christmas’? Why did Rudolph have a red nose, and do you know what the holly berries represent? It might come as a shock. Here are the tales from antiquity that formed a cornerstone to the rise of civilisation.
The programme includes, weather permitting, viewing the Sun set over the Summer Solstice Heel Stone. Bookings are essential. Fee: Adults $20, Seniors $15, Children $5, Phoenix Society members no charge.
January 2020
Stars from Mars
7 pm Saturday January 4 at Stonehenge Aotearoa
Special presentation by Peter Detterline, Mars Desert Research Station Chief Astronomer
In the high desert of Utah in the United States lies a remote complex of cylindrical and dome structures that look like they are from another world. And you would be half right, they are from Earth, they are just designed for another world. Welcome to the Mars Desert Research Station where people from around the Earth come to experience what it’s like to live on Mars. The campus includes living and working quarters, a science dome, greenhouse and two observatories. Peter Detterline, Observatory Director for the Mars Society, will walk you through the process of what it takes to be a Martian Stargazer.
Discover solar storms on our closest star, and galaxies that are literally far, far, away. Experience stellar evolution with vast colourful clouds of gas suspended in the black velvet of space, places where stars are born and places where they die. Experience how modern astronomy is done, and how this becomes the template for the first observatories on another planet. Are you ready to become the astronomer and witness what it takes to observe the heavens from a simulated Mars base? Then you don’t want to miss the Stars from Mars!
7 pm Saturday January 4 at Stonehenge Aotearoa
Special presentation by Peter Detterline, Mars Desert Research Station Chief Astronomer
In the high desert of Utah in the United States lies a remote complex of cylindrical and dome structures that look like they are from another world. And you would be half right, they are from Earth, they are just designed for another world. Welcome to the Mars Desert Research Station where people from around the Earth come to experience what it’s like to live on Mars. The campus includes living and working quarters, a science dome, greenhouse and two observatories. Peter Detterline, Observatory Director for the Mars Society, will walk you through the process of what it takes to be a Martian Stargazer.
Discover solar storms on our closest star, and galaxies that are literally far, far, away. Experience stellar evolution with vast colourful clouds of gas suspended in the black velvet of space, places where stars are born and places where they die. Experience how modern astronomy is done, and how this becomes the template for the first observatories on another planet. Are you ready to become the astronomer and witness what it takes to observe the heavens from a simulated Mars base? Then you don’t want to miss the Stars from Mars!
Telescope course
January 11 & 12 and again on January 18 & 19, at Stonehenge Aotearoa
The course will run from 12.30 pm to 5 pm each day, with telescope observing at 8 pm. Details to be advised.
Phoenix meeting
7pm January 18, at Stonehenge Aotearoa
Programme to be advised.
February 2020
January 11 & 12 and again on January 18 & 19, at Stonehenge Aotearoa
The course will run from 12.30 pm to 5 pm each day, with telescope observing at 8 pm. Details to be advised.
Phoenix meeting
7pm January 18, at Stonehenge Aotearoa
Programme to be advised.
February 2020
The Orion Stardate
Friday 21 to Sunday 23 February
An astronomical summer stars festival at Stonehenge Aotearoa. The programme includes lectures, workshops, barbecues, movies, live music, star gazing and telescope viewing. Overnight camping and caravan sites are available.
Registration Fee: Adults $30, Young persons (5 to 15 years) $5, Children (under 5) free.
Camping Fee for weekend: $10 per tent or caravan per night
Friday 21 to Sunday 23 February
An astronomical summer stars festival at Stonehenge Aotearoa. The programme includes lectures, workshops, barbecues, movies, live music, star gazing and telescope viewing. Overnight camping and caravan sites are available.
Registration Fee: Adults $30, Young persons (5 to 15 years) $5, Children (under 5) free.
Camping Fee for weekend: $10 per tent or caravan per night
Page Modified 12/12/2019
