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 MAKE STARDATE PART OF YOUR |
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Registration form (in Word format for offline registrations) Programme (in Word format) |
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. By the way that includes children; Stardate is a family affair.
The Hawkes Bay is a lovely holiday area so you may choose to make this part of your summer break; bring the family too if you wish. There’s astronomy for the enthusiasts but also lovely beaches, wineries, art deco tours, museums, Splash Planet for the kids, the Gannet Colony and lots, lots more. Read the reports the 2011 or 2010 Stardate – that will give you an idea of the fun in store. The 2010 review has pictures.
We try to keep prices to a minimum and endeavour to maintain a warm and friendly atmosphere; camping, bunks or tent sites available and are included in the registration fee. Individual registrations start from $60 and families from $160. Meals are extra, but apart from Saturday night - are barbeques by gold coin donation
The programme commences at 7pm on Friday 20 January and ends on Sunday night. There are no programmed events on Monday, but there will be informal activites for those that want to stay longer.Please keep an eye on this webpage as we will post the programme as speakers and topics are confirmed.
But you don’t need to wait for the programme - a special early bird fee applies prior to 1 December. You can register and pay by credit card online here.
NOTE: the exact arrival and departure times are yet to be confirmed.
For more information
Contact :
Kay Leather
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06- 377 1600 (Stonehenge Aotearoa)
STARDATE 2012 PROGRAMME
Unless otherwise stated presentations and workshops are held at the main hall.
Friday 20 January
5:30 pm Sausage Sizzle (outside Main Hall)
Friday Evening Chair: Kay Leather
7:00 pm Official Opening
7:10 pm Heavens Above
introduced by John Drummond
Images from the RASNZ Astrophotography competition for the year 2011.
7:40 pm The Eye of Ra
Speaker: Richard Hall
Our lives are ruled by a star, which we call the Sun. Once thought to be “perfect” and unchanging, we now know that the Sun slowly fluctuates in brightness shifting and changing the climate on Earth. In this presentation we look at solar activity and the ways in which it is responsible for the rise and fall of civilizations.
8:25 pm Supper
8:45 pm Ultraviolet Irradiation and Skin Lesions
Speaker: David Sabiston
Man has been attacked for centuries by the blast from the Sun, whose flares release large amounts of U.V. irradiation. In this presentation David will discuss what happens when your skin is exposed to this dangerous irradiation and how serious skin disorders can be prevented.
9.15 pm What Came First – The Spiral or the Elliptical
Speaker: John Drummond
A brief investigation into the outstanding work of Edwin Hubble and how he didn’t quite get it all correct – especially in regards to galaxy evolution.
9.45 pm Telescope Viewing
11:00pm Late Night Science Fiction Movie
Saturday 21 January
Saturday Morning
10:30 am Children’s Astronomy Programme with George Moutzouris
Constellations and Asterisms
In this first program we will be looking at what constellations and asterisms are, why and when constellations were created, what they were used for, and some myths and legends about the constellations. We will also create our own asterism.
12:00 noon Telescope Trail with tour guide Ian Cooper….. gather in the lower field
Saturday Afternoon Chair: Ian Cooper
2:00 pm Celestial Geometry
with John Burt
Want to gain a better understanding of some basic astronomical concepts? Want to see some simple activities that can be used to demonstrate some astronomical principles? John will discuss some principles of astronomy that are often not well understood and demonstrate some ideas that make it easy to visualise and understand. Even if you understand these principles you may pick up a few tips on how to teach these ideas.
2:35pm The New Skyshed Max Pod
Speaker: Ivan Vazey
What it is and how it works!
3.00 pm Tea/coffee break
3:30 pm Space-Science Tour
Speaker: Peter Felhofer
In 2011 Peter spent six weeks travelling the USA from Mt. Palomar to the Kennedy Space Centre. In this presentation Peter will take us on a tour of over a dozen famous observatories and space centres that he visited.
5:30 pm Stardate Dinner (outside Main Hall)
Saturday Evening Chair: John Drummond
7:00 pm Zodiac – The myths and legends of the Stars
Speaker: Richard Hall
To those who can read it, the night sky is a picture book of stories from antiquity. Here are the tales of the gods, heroes and mighty events. These stories are a window into the past that give us insight to the beliefs of our ancestors. Among the most ancient and significant constellations are those of the Zodiac. In this presentation we explore the historical facts, myths and legends of the Zodiac which formed a cornerstone to the rise of civilization and world religions.
8:00 pm Supper
8:20 pm Imaging the Southern Skies
Presented by Ian Cooper and Stephen Chadwick
Ian Cooper and Stephen Chadwick combined forces to produce a new book in Patrick Moore’s Practical Astronomy Series. The book is titled “Imaging the Southern Skies, A Guide to the Best Astrophotography Targets South of the Celestial Equator.” This presentation looks at the large number of stunning images produced over the last year for the book. In addition to spectacular photos of the southern sky’s best known deep-sky objects they have also captured many celestial splendors that remain almost unknown to most astronomers, until now!
9:15 pm The Summer Night Sky (big screen audio visual)
Take a tour of the heavens identifying stars and constellations, and explore weird and wonderful celestial objects in our summer evening night sky.
9.45pm Telescope Viewing
11:00pm Late Night Science Fiction Movie
Sunday 22 January
Sunday Morning
10:30 am Children’s Astronomy Programme with George Moutzouris
Rockets and Spacecraft
In this second program we will look at how rockets work and some facts about rockets and spacecraft. We will also look at the history of rockets and spacecraft including the space shuttle. We will then go outside and launch some rockets. If you have a rocket to launch, bring it along.
12:00 noon Buy and Sell Market
See Kay Leather if you have items to sell at this session…outside main hall.
Sunday Afternoon Chair: John Burt
2:00 pm Thinking Outside the Envelope: An African Safari
Speaker: Garry Sparks
2:30 pm Hydrogen Alpha Observations & Photography
Ian Cooper and Stephen Chadwick
3:00 pm Tea/coffee break PLUS.....Astrophotography Workshop
with John Drummond, Stephen Chadwick, and Ian Cooper
Following in the theme of last night’s presentation (Imaging the Southern Skies) this workshop is aimed at both beginners and experienced astrophotographers alike. The trio will bring their great experience to the fore by taking people through examples of their own work, with their own equipment and software. This will be a very much a hands-on tutorial so we invite those interested to bring their efforts with them no matter the level of their expertise. We gather at the main hall at tea break but the workshop itself will be held at another venue on site.
3:30 pm Exploring the Solar System with Edwin Rodley
A close look at recent spacecraft missions across the Solar System, the latest results and findings.
4:00 pm Webcam Science with Simon Lowther
6:00 pm Sausage Sizzle
Sunday Evening Chair: Richard Hall
7:00 pm Cook and the Transit of Venus in 1769 and 2012
Speaker: John Drummond (Gisborne)
Part of the reason Captain Cook sailed to the Pacific Ocean was to observe the transit of Venus. Why did he do this and how did it help science – and what about this year’s big transit event in June?
7:40 pm Mars – The Lost World
Speaker: Kay Leather
A close look at the Red Planet followed by a discussion on what the recent findings really mean.
8:20 pm Supper
8.40 pm The Great Astro Quiz
9.45 pm Telescope Viewing
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