Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy

The next course is now open for registration Dark Sky Project, Lake Tekapo | 26th-28th May 2023

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What Attendees Say About Our Courses

Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy, AAA, was launched by Professor John Hearnshaw with the support of Nalayini Davies, to satisfy an unmet need in the astronomical community.

We are pleased to announce our next course
at the Dark Sky Project
Lake Tekapo, 26th-28th May 2023

An immersive programme of lectures, workshops, demonstrations with small telescopes and cameras, and practical observing will be offered. We expect to visit the Cowan’s Hill observatory near Tekapo for observing and star gazing with telescopes and binoculars.

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  • Astrotourism and dark sky places in New Zealand
  • How binoculars and telescopes work and how to use a telescope
  • Our place in the Universe
  • Coordinates and time in astronomy
  • Principal objects to look at for astrotourists
  • The astronomy equipment for you
  • The astronomy equipment for you
  • Astronomy outreach – 20 tips to remember
  • Naming of stars and celestial objects
  • Maori astronomy and Matariki
  • Astrophotography
  • Notes for astro-tour guides
  • The lives of the stars : star formation, evolution and star death
  • Useful books, publications and software for night sky guides
AAANZ COURSE INSTRUCTORS
Workshops:
  • Astrophotography
  • How to start an astrotourism business
  • Practical observing with a small telescope
  • Grand astroquiz for all
For those interested in:
  • NZ’s Night Sky & The Universe–what you can see & what lies beyond
  • Astronomy– what objects are observable & how best to observe them
  • Astrophotography today – the products & the practice
  • Astrotourism and/or Outreach – how to conduct these successfully
  • The Dark Sky Movement in NZ – what it is & how you can participate
  • Buying a Telescope or Binoculars – which is best for you & how to use them
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AAA is grateful to the Dark Sky Project for sponsorship and providing the venue for this course. We are also grateful to the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve for sponsorship funding.

Our next courses for 2023 are being finalised.
Kapiti Coast to celebrate Matariki, July 21-23, 2023

The second AAA course of 2023 will be at Te Horo on the Kapiti Coast. This will be a special course to celebrate Matariki, and is especially for amateur astronomers or anyone wanting to learn more about navigating the stars in the night sky using a small telescope or binoculars.

Places at the course are limited to 24 – 30 people

The venue will be the Arcus Kiwi Event centre, 29 Arcus Rd, Te Horo (between Otaki and Waikanae) – see https://www.arcus.kiwi/

Programme: An immersive programme of lectures, workshops, demonstrations with small telescopes and cameras, and practical observing will be offered. We expect to visit the  private observatory of Nigel Knowles at Te Horo for observing and star gazing.

Times: Friday 2:30 pm to 10:30 pm; Saturday 9:00 am to 10:30 pm; Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Registration fee: $295 (to be confirmed). Registrations not yet open.

More details will be on-line shortly. For enquiries, please contact us.

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AAA’s Courses are Designed for Those Interested in:

Astronomy

Astrotourism

Astrophotography

Stargazing/Outreach

NZ’s Dark Sky Movement

Astro-tourism participants

  • Those operating within the industry wishing to improve their knowledge and presentations.
  • Those wishing to enter the industry as guides.
  • Those wishing to enter the industry as entrepreneurs supported by guides.

Amateur Astronomers

  • Those wishing to expand their amateur astronomy hobby.
  • Those wishing to host star parties.
  • Those wishing to take up astronomy as a hobby.

Photographers

  • Those wishing to expand into astrophotography
  • Those wishing to start doing astrophotography

Night Sky Navigators

  • Those for whom understanding the night sky is useful e.g. sailors.
  • Those interested in understanding the night sky for personal reasons

Lifetime Learners

  • Those who wish to have an improved understanding of the universe.
  • Those wishing to better understand the history e.g. astronomical discoveries, Polynesian navigation

Nature Lovers

  • Those wishing to enjoy the natural aspects of the night sky
  • Those interested in enjoyable stargazing
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What Attendees Say about AAA’s Courses

Thanks to you and all course tutors for delivering such an inspiring course.

Today I'm picking up my 8” Dobsonian package from AstroNZ! So beginning my Dobsonian man journey! Joining in with WAS will also be part of the plan and a few of us locally are hopefully going to keep meeting up from time to time.

Once again, thanks for such a thorough weekend of learning and inspiration“.
From GavinWairarapa
Thank you both and to all the speakers for a wonderful weekend course, Such expert speakers with immense passion for their subject, I felt very lucky to have been there as such a novice!

The venue was great too, and delicious food. I found it so stimulating and have bought quite a few books to keep up with my learning.
From Anthea, CheviotMartinborough 2022
Program - I liked the design. It addressed many questions that I had and expanded my knowledge and awareness of a broader outreach context of Astronomy education.
Presenters - this was a fantastic element of the program. The knowledge and experience of each was top notch and offered great value to the learning experience.
From MikeWairarapa
The 3 day course in Martinborough exceeded my expectations. It was a good combination of technical and practical aspects of astronomy, especially for a beginner like me. I thought all the presenters were outstanding and very knowledgeable experts.
I have applied for membership of the Wellington Astronomical Society so hope to continue improving my knowledge in the future.
BrianWairarapa
My thanks to you and Nalayini for an excellent course -well presented and enjoyable.
JohnWairarapa
Thank you all so much for a wonderfully inspiring and informative course last weekend. Jami and I thoroughly enjoyed it, we are super stoked to have had such amazing, acclaimed instructors to learn from. Feeling lucky and blessed, now just waiting for the clouds to part so that we can put this knowledge into practice.
Karen (Tiggy), PihaMartinborough, July 2022
Thank you and the rest of the team for a splendid course into Astrotourism – I found it immensely beneficial and well balanced. The presenters were very knowledgeable and generous in sharing that knowledge – it was also great fun!
JeffTwizel, October 2021
I just wanted to say how much we appreciated the 3-day course over the weekend. It was just so great to have so many experts in their field in the one place. There was such a broad range to topics discussed in the right amount of detail. I just didn’t want it to stop. I would like to do the same course again in a year and will be certainly be recommending it to others!
MikeTwizel, October 2021
I wanted to say how much I enjoyed the course in Twizel. It was inspirational to listen to such experienced and motivated speakers. Each talk was riveting for me as a complete beginner and the topics covered were the appropriate range and scope for us. It was great to be able to network with other budding astro tourism folk.
LizTwizel, October 2021
I had a fantastic time with you all, and feel like I learned a tremendous amount. The breadth of knowledge that you shared was tremendous, and the opportunity to spend some time with like-minded folks from around the country was truly invaluable.

The material covered was excellent, and the level of information was never too esoteric to comprehend, too basic for the level of knowledge I already have, nor too quickly presented, so very well done there. I think the pacing was excellent, and you all have wonderful presentation styles.
JamesTwizel, October 2021
More than met my expectations. Plus everybody I spoke to was very pleased with it. I loved that in trying for broad appeal and as an introduction you didn't "dumb it down."
GailTwizel, October 2021
Thanks for a great course and the opportunity to learn from people who are so knowledgeable and passionate about astronomy. Liz and I both learnt an incredible amount and really enjoyed it.
GarryTwizel, October 2021
What an incredible course, thank you so much. My prime objective was to help me gain confidence and build a more robust way to extend the Astrophotography packages we currently offer. I feel so much more confident now in what to offer. This course ticked all the boxes I had and also many, many more that I didn’t know needed ticking. Thank you so much. You’ve helped me unlock even more of the night sky. You’ve started something very worthwhile and beneficial to Aotearoa and its tourism industry.
SimonTwizel, October 2021
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NEXT COURSE
2-4 DECEMBER 2022
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
SEE VENUE WEBSITE

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Home of the America’s Cup is a spacious, multi-functional building at the foot of the Harbour Bridge in Westhaven Marina. 

The RNZYS building has a distinctive nautical appearance where sun-drenched decks and rooms offer superb views over Westhaven Marina, CBD, Waitemata Harbour and the Harbour Bridge.

NEXT SCHOOL
8-10 JULY 2022
MARTINBOROUGH, NEW ZEALAND

Martinborough Hotel, Martinborough
SEE HOTEL WEBSITE

The Martinborough Hotel offers boutique accommodation located on the doorstep to everything Martinborough and the South Wairarapa has to offer.

TEKAPO, NEW ZEALAND

Dark Sky Project, 1 Motuariki Lane, Lake Tekapo, South Canterbury 7999
SEE MORE ABOUT THE DARK SKY PROJECT

Tekapo is situated in the South Island of New Zealand, within the Aoraki-Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.

TWIZEL, NEW ZEALAND

Mackenzie Country Hotel, Twizel

The course is designed for current or prospective astrotourism night-sky guides or for anyone interested in navigating the night sky and understanding more about astronomy.

 

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