Aotearoa Astrotourism Academy

Join a stellar crew of Kiwi astronomers
for an awe-inspiring stargazing experience

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Photo Credit; Fraser Gunn

Naseby

Astroguiding and Stargazing Course, 27-29 March 2026

We are excited to announce our next stargazing and astronomy course, in Naseby in March 2026 (the weekend before Easter).

This hands-on course is designed for stargazing enthusiasts, aspiring amateur astronomers and astrophotographers – and for anyone who wants to have fun navigating the night sky by telescope or binoculars. An introduction to Matariki and Māori astronomy and Matariki is included in the course. This provides a solid foundation for anyone who is interested in entering the astrotourism industry.

No previous experience is required. Numbers are limited so do book early!

Enrolments

Early-bird (till Fri 6 March 2026): $295 |  From Sat 7 March 2026: $385

Who is this course for?

Participants will gain the confidence to become amateur astronomers:

  • School teachers who attend will enthuse their students.
  • Amateur astronomers who attend may well want to enter Aotearoa’s thriving astrotourism industry as a night-sky guide after doing our AAA course.
  • Budding photographers who attend will learn how to overcome the unique challenges of photographing celestial bodies.

What you will learn

Over a long weekend, you will learn how to:

  • Identify and observe constellations, planets and other celestial bodies in the Southern Hemisphere both with the unaided eye and by using binoculars or a small telescope
  • Take photographs at night, with top Kiwi astrophotographer, John Drummond
  • Set up and use a small telescope for night-time observations from your place
  • Experience the night sky using a portable telescope (weather permitting)
  • Share your new knowledge with others in your communities, schools and family
  • Join New Zealand’s growing astrotourism industry by establishing an astroguiding business, if this inspires you.

This immersion course is delivered by expert instructors led by Professor John Hearnshaw, who helped to establish Tekapo’s Dark Sky Reserve. The course includes lectures and educational workshops during the day and practical observing sessions with telescopes over two evenings (weather permitting).

Unique in the world, our courses are widely acclaimed for their exceptional content, engaging delivery and professional excellence.

Naseby Town Hall
28 Leven Street
Naseby 9396
New Zealand

Course Manager

Jill Wolff

Jill oversees the catering and logistics for the course delivery, ensuring everything runs smoothly during the long weekend.

READ STUDENT TESTIMONIALS
REGISTRATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
See The Full Course Schedule

Here's an outline of the topics covered in this course

Day/TimeModuleInstructor
Friday 27th March
2:00 pm		Course registration opens at the Naseby Town Hall, 28 Leven Street, Naseby
2:30 – 2:40 pmWelcoming addressJohn Hearnshaw
2:40 – 3.30 pmIntroductions for participants
3:30 – 4:00 pmAfternoon tea/coffee break
4:00 – 5:00 pmOverview of astrotourism and dark sky places in New ZealandNalayini Davies
5:00 – 6:00 pmHow binoculars and telescopes work and how to use a telescopeJohn Drummond
6:00 – 6.45 pmReception in Naseby Town Hall
6:45 – 8:00 pmDinner Break
8:15 – 10:15 pmAstro-Tour and observing with telescopes


If the weather is bad, we will have a fun Astro-quiz		Alan Gilmore, Gareth Davies, John Drummond

Gareth Davies
Saturday 28 March
9:15 – 10:25 am		Coordinates and time in astronomyJohn Hearnshaw
10:25 – 10:55 amMorning tea/coffee break
10:55 - 11:45 amPrincipal objects to look at for astrotouristsAlan Gilmore
11:45 -12:30 pmWhat are total solar eclipses? Eclipse geometry and dynamics.John Hearnshaw
12:30 -1.40pmLunch Break
1:40 - 2:10 pmThe Dark Sky Movement, why we need to establish Dark Sky PlacesGareth Davies
2:10 - 3:00 pmOur place in the UniverseNalayini Davies
3.00 – 3:30 pmThe astronomy equipment for youGareth Davies
3.30 – 4:00 pmAfternoon tea/coffee break
4:00 – 5:00 pmTechniques of AstrophotographyJohn Drummond
5:00 -6.15pmWorkshops
Option 1: Hands-On Astro-photography or
Option 2: Setting up an Astro-tourism Business
John Drummond
Nalayini Davies
6:15 – 8:00 pmDinner Break (participants make own arrangements)
8:15 – 10:15 pmAstro-Tour and observing with telescopes



and/or Great Astro-quiz		Alan Gilmore, Gareth Davies, John Drummond

Gareth Davies
Sunday 29th March
9:15am-10:15am		Naming of stars and celestial objectsJohn Hearnshaw
10:15 – 10:45 amAstronomy outreach - 20 tips to rememberGareth Davies
10:45 – 11:15 amMorning tea/coffee break
11:15am – 12:15pmMaori astronomy and MatarikiBruce Ngataierua
12:15 – 1:00 pmThe total solar eclipse of Saturday 22 July 2028. What to expect, how to observe it and where to observeNalayini Davies
1:00 – 2:00 pmLunch Break
2:00 – 2.45 pmNotes for astro-tour guides: An Introduction to Astronomy and the Southern Night Sky; the Solar System – planets, comets and asteroidsAlan Gilmore
2.45pm – 3:45 pmStellar evolution – the lives of the starsJohn Hearnshaw
3:45 – 4:15 pmAfternoon tea/coffee break
4:15 – 4:45 pmUseful books, publications and software for night sky guides and amateur astronomersAll Instructors
4:45 pmPresentation of AAA Certificates to participants
5:00 pmClose

WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY ABOUT OUR COURSES

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
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) Reid, 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 but I also enjoyed the randomness of the collection of people there.
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

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