Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy

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Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Auckland
21-23 October 2022

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE COURSE

NEXT SCHOOL
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, Auckland
21-23 October 2022

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The Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy is pleased to announce the fourth course of the Academy will be held in Auckland at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, 21-23 October 2022. The venue address is 181 Westhaven Drive, Westhaven Marina, Auckland 1011 and is located on the Auckland waterfront near the Harbour bridge.

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.

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.

The primary goal of AAA is to offer educational courses for current or aspiring astro-tourism night-sky guides, or for anyone interested in navigating the dark night sky.

AAA has assembled a small team of dedicated and expert instructors, and the plan is to offer short courses on all aspects of night-sky guiding. AAA hopes to impart some of the basic skills and knowledge considered essential for those working in the fast growing astro-tourism industry.

This intensive course comprises lectures, practical sessions (weather permitting for evening observing) and plenty of interactions between instructors and participants.

WHO IS THIS ACADEMY FOR?

Those seeking a solid foundation of knowledge and practical skills to pursue astronomy in the following forms

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 OUR STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE COURSE

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 SCHOOL
21-23 OCTOBER 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

Tasman Room, Godley Hotel, SH8, Lake Tekapo
SEE HOTEL WEBSITE

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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