AstronomyNZ

If you aren't a member, you can find out how to join on our Society Membership page. More information about the general format and location of our meetings can be found there also.

Wellington Society Meeting Dates for 2012

Wellington meeting will now occur on the second Thursday of each month (no meetings in April/August). Please note the venue change.

• Thursday, 9th February 2012 at 7:30pm
• Thursday, 8th March 2012 at 7:30pm
• Thursday, 10th May 2012 at 7:30pm
• Thursday, 12th July 2012 at 7:30pm
• Thursday, 13th September 2012 at 7:30pm
• Thursday, 11th October 2012 at 7:30pm
• Thursday, 8th November 2012 at 7:30pm

Location: Turnbull House, Bowen St (opposite the Beehive)

Receive un update on the latest astronomy news, listen to a selection of speakers and for those who want to stay, there will be supper followed by a documentary.

Wairarapa Society Meeting and Telescope Viewing Dates for 2012

Wairarapa meeting dates vary so that telescope viewing occurs around the new moon when it is nice and dark.

• Saturday, 18th February 2012 at 7:30pm - 9:30pm
• Saturday, 17th March 2012 at 7:30pm - 9:30pm
• Saturday, 19th May 2012 at 7:30pm - 9:30pm
• Saturday, 21st July 2012 at 7:30pm - 9:30pm
• Saturday, 15th September 2012 at 7:30pm - 9:30pm
• Saturday, 20th October 2012 at 7:30pm - 9:30pm

Location: Ahiaruhe Observatory, Ahiaruhe Rd, Carterton (Stonehenge Aortearoa)

Hear an update on the lastest astronomy news, listen to a variety of speakers and then socialise over supper.

Following supper there will be an observing session using the Society telescopes (you can bring your own if you have one), or a documentary if it is cloudy.

Meetings are held at the observatory complex located at the Stonehenge Aotearoa site. Follow the tourist signs for stonhenge from the Carterton roundabout or view a map

Stardate, Tukituki Valley, Hawkes' Bay, 20-23 January 2012

Stardate is an astronomical gathering for people who are interested in observing the stars through a variety of telescopes brought along by participants; people who like listening to interesting talks and participating in workshops; people who like good food and good company; people who are interested in diverse aspects of astronomy. For more info visit the Stardate page Non-members welcome

Harvest Fair at Stonehenge, 24 March 2012

We will be fundraising at this event and will be calling for volunteers closer to the time. Keep an eye on the stonehenge website for details. If you want to participate, please contact the event organisers.

Location: Stonehenge Aotearoa, Carterton - Non-members welcome

An old fashioned country fair with musicians, dancing, games, food and craft stalls. Everyone is invited to dress up in medieval style costume, ie. pixies, fairies, elves, hobbits, knights, damsels, kings and queens.

Autumn Astrocamp, Grand Tour of the Solar System, Carterton, 28-29 June 2012

We will be doing a grand tour of the Solar System, with the Sun, crescent Moon, Saturn close to opposition, Venus at greastest brilliance and, between dusk and dawn - all planets visible!

This will be a great opportunity to socialise, learn more about astronomy and it is a great fundraiser for the society. A dinner will be held on Saturday night.

Held from Saturday morning until Sunday evening, the focus of Autumn Astrocamp is observational astronomy. During the day there will be the opportunity to observe the Sun. In the evenings we have the wonders of the winter Milky Way and beyond. In addition to observing we have, during the day, a programme of lectures and workshops with opportunities to exchange ideas and socialise.

If the weather is bad we will have talks and documentaries to keep us interested.

This year we are holding the astrocamp at the clubrooms in Ahiaruhe. Talks and workshops will be held at the clubroom, between 10:00am and 4:00pm (exact times to be confirmed) Saturday and Sunday. Observing will take place at the TPAS Observatory.

Registration details and prices to follow closer to the time. Non-members welcome

RASNZ Conference 2012, Carterton, 15-17 June 2012

We are very pleased to be hosting the RASNZ conference for 2012!

The conference will take place at the brand new Carterton Events Centre, with excursions to the observatories and other places of interest. For more information visit the RASNZ Website. Non-members welcome

Annual General Meeting, 29 June 2012

Our Annual General Meeting will take place in June. The venue will be advised closer to the time.

Council elections will take place and any Society matters decided upon. This is your opportunity to have a say in how your Society is run. We appreciate the effort made by members to attend this event.

Winter Astrocamp, Foxton Beach, 18-20 August 2012

We will be invading our Foxton colleagues!

This will be a great opportunity to socialise, learn more about astronomy and it is a great fundraiser for the society. A dinner will be held on Saturday night.

Held from Saturday morning until Sunday evening, the focus of Winter Astrocamp is observational astronomy. During the day there will be the opportunity to observe the Sun. In the evenings we have the wonders of the winter Milky Way and beyond. In addition to observing we have, during the day, a programme of lectures and workshops with opportunities to exchange ideas and socialise.

If the weather is bad we will have talks and documentaries to keep us interested.

Registration details and prices to follow closer to the time. Non-members welcome

Spring Fair at Stonehenge, 22 September 2012

Another fundraiser. Volunteers will be sought. For more info on the actual event ot to participate visit the stonehenge website. Non-members welcome

Phoenix Society Total Eclipse in Cairns - group tour, from 10 November 2012

There is a total eclipse of the Sun on the morning of 14th November 2012 viewable from Cairns.

We are planning a Society trip to Cairns to have a look.

We don't have the details yet But it is likely we will head over for a week from Saturday 10th November, and perhaps have a bit of an observatory tour and link up with other societies whilst we are over.

We are investigating the cheapest travel and accommodation options for those who need to do it on a shoestring.

You don't need to be a member. If you think you might be interested, just let me know at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it and we will send you updates. Non-members welcome

Christmas Star Party, 15 December 2012

Put this one in your diary. Details will follow.